The Delaware Art Museum gratefully acknowledges a recent, transformative gift from longtime Member and friend, Trudie E. Thompson.
In addition to providing an unrestricted gift to support the Museum’s areas of greatest need, Trudie established the Mildred H. Thompson Red Apple Endowed Fund. Named in memory of her mother, the fund will provide scholarships for deserving youth to attend the Museum’s Summer Art Camp and Studio Art Classes.
According to DelArt Executive Director Molly Giordano, “We are deeply fortunate to have Trudie as a dedicated partner in our mission to connect people with art. Her investment will cultivate the next generation of art lovers. For generations of children in Delaware and beyond, visiting DelArt and participating in our Summer Art Camp and Studio Art Classes have laid the foundation for a lifelong appreciation of the visual arts.”
Trudie (left) pictured with her parents, Ray and Mildred Thompson.
In recognition of Trudie’s longstanding generosity to and advocacy for DelArt, the Museum’s trustees and staff dedicated the Trudie E. Thompson Studio in the Studio Art Wing in her honor on June 26.
“My family has deep roots in Wilmington through our businesses, including the George D. Hanby Co., with my mother’s family spanning at least four generations here,” said Trudie Thompson. “I am delighted that my mother’s legacy will continue to live on in Wilmington through the Delaware Art Museum and the creation of the Mildred H. Thompson Red Apple Endowed Fund.”
A retired U.S. Foreign Service Officer, Trudie served as a diplomat worldwide. She grew up in Wilmington and now resides in Rehoboth Beach. Deeply active in her community, she serves as a volunteer instructor for the University of Delaware’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) and sings with the CAMP Rehoboth Chorus, the largest choral group on the Delmarva Peninsula.
Top: Trudie E. Thompson celebrates the ribbon cutting of the newly renamed painting studio alongside DelArt campers during a special dedication ceremony this summer.