DelArt Member Stephanie Morton has entered an exciting new phase in life—retirement from her art teaching career. Until now, Morton admits that she had little time to make use of her DelArt membership. Despite seeing exhibitions and attending monthly DelArt Night events, she anticipates having more time for personal visits. “My background in the arts goes deep…since I could hold a paintbrush,” Morton says.
Upon moving to Wilmington in 2009, Morton began working part-time as a paraprofessional for Kuumba Academy Charter School, where she eventually became the full-time art teacher. Over the next several years, Morton deepened Kuumba’s long-standing partnership with DelArt. Thanks to Morton’s hard work, all Kuumba students, from kindergarten through sixth grade, visit the Museum each school year for two curriculum-aligned tours that include hands-on artmaking in DelArt’s studio. Each year’s lesson is designed to build upon the previous year’s work, offering a cumulative experience that culminates in a year-end student art exhibition and celebration at the Museum.
Morton became a Museum Member to lead by example. As she explained, “I was convincing families that they needed to be involved. And I’m like, ‘Wait a minute. You can’t convince the families if you’re not a member yourself.’”
Supporting the Museum has deep meaning for Morton. As a teacher in an inner-city school, she saw firsthand how many of her students had never set foot in an art museum. She remains passionate about providing students and their families with access to meaningful art experiences. Morton has long believed in the essential role of the arts in children’s lives, not just as a pastime, but as a catalyst for intellectual growth and even physical well-being. As she puts it, “If you don’t have the arts in your life, then I just feel like you’re not a whole person. You’re not having that full, whole life experience.”
DelArt is grateful to Members like Stephanie Morton for making an investment in our mission and encouraging their networks to become part of our vibrant museum community.