Hagerstown Welcomes “The Art of Marc Brown” Exhibition Featuring Beloved Arthur Illustrations

This fall, residents of Hagerstown and visitors alike will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the creative world of Marc Brown, the celebrated author and illustrator behind the iconic aardvark character, Arthur. The Washington County Museum of Fine Arts will present “Believe in Yourself: What We Learned from Arthur, The Art of Marc Brown,” an exhibition that delves into the imagination, humor, and artistic process that brought Arthur and his friends to life. The exhibition is scheduled to open on October 24, 2026, and will be on display through February 28, 2027.

The exhibition aims to provide an intimate look at Brown’s journey as an artist, tracing the origins of Arthur from a simple bedtime story to a beloved figure in children’s literature and media. According to information from the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, Brown’s personal experiences, including recollections of his own third-grade classroom, served as the inspiration for Arthur’s relatable world and its diverse cast of characters. This exhibition will showcase the original artwork and preliminary studies that illustrate how Brown developed these enduring personalities and their everyday challenges, making them resonate with generations of young readers and their families.

Visitors to the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts can expect an engaging experience designed for all ages. Upon entering the gallery, guests will be greeted by an enlarged replica of Brown’s book “Believe in Yourself.” A dedicated reading nook, situated behind this oversized book, will offer copies of the featured books, providing a tranquil space for visitors to pause, read, and share stories together. This area is intended to foster a connection not only with Brown’s art but also with fellow museum-goers.

The exhibition will highlight key pieces that demonstrate Brown’s artistic evolution and creative methods. Among the featured works is “D.W. Rides Again” (1993), a vibrant illustration created with marker, watercolor, gouache, and colored pencil, depicting Arthur’s adventurous younger sister. This piece exemplifies a recurring theme in the exhibition: the importance of perseverance and learning through experience. Additionally, “Arthur Goes to Camp (thumbnail book layout)” (1982) offers a unique glimpse into Brown’s early conceptualization process. This marker-and-pencil layout showcases the “thumbnail” sketches he uses to plan the visual flow and integration of text and images across book pages, revealing the foundational stages of his storytelling.

The impact of Arthur’s transition to television will also be explored through “Arthur Promotional Art for PBS Series Launch” (1998), a pen and watercolor artwork. This piece represents the collaborative effort between Brown, WGBH-TV, and PBS, which aimed to encourage reading through animated adaptations of the beloved books. The television series, which premiered in 1996, significantly expanded Arthur’s cultural footprint. The exhibition will also feature artwork from seasonal favorites like “Arthur’s Halloween” and “Arthur’s Christmas,” presenting both preliminary thumbnail layouts and finished illustrations, further illustrating Brown’s meticulous approach to creating picture-book art.

Beyond the celebrated aardvark, the exhibition “Believe in Yourself” aims to present the broader scope of Marc Brown’s artistic contributions. The display will include artwork from other notable projects such as “Wild About Books,” “Little Shop of Monsters,” and “Hand Rhymes,” alongside personal artworks and a self-portrait. This curated selection provides a more comprehensive understanding of the artist behind one of children’s literature’s most recognizable characters. The exhibition serves as an opportunity for adults who grew up with Arthur to reconnect with a familiar character, for parents and grandparents to share these memories with younger generations, and for new audiences to discover the imaginative and artistic foundation of Arthur’s enduring world.

Brown’s creative philosophy, which emphasizes experimentation, revision, and persistence, is a central message of the exhibition. He has spoken about the numerous revisions and the inevitable presence of mistakes in his creative process, noting that some stories undergo as many as 30 drafts. Even the initial book, “Arthur’s Nose,” involved six months of revisions before its 1976 publication. This dedication to refining his work underscores the idea that creativity doesn’t always need to be perfect to be meaningful, often stemming from simple ideas, memories, or the resolve to try again.

To celebrate the opening of the exhibition, the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, in partnership with the Washington County Free Library, will host a free family event, “Arthur’s Costume Party,” on Saturday, October 24, from 1 PM to 4 PM. This event will welcome Arthur and his friends to Hagerstown with treats, storytime, and activities inspired by the exhibition, encouraging children and families to dress as their favorite Arthur characters or in Halloween costumes. Admission to the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts is always free.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts.

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