Concert at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Alice Barber Stephens (1858-1932), (Illustration for “A Quaker City Institution,” Harper’s Weekly), Oil on academy board, Bequest of Sewell C. Biggs, 2004.460.
What does 250 years of Delaware history look like through the eyes of our neighbors? To answer, we invited 25 diverse voices from across our state to serve as community curators. Each selected one piece from our collection, making Reflections: 25 Objects for 250 Years of Delaware History an exhibition curated entirely by our local community. Each post in this series features one object and the personal story of why it was chosen to represent our region’s history or felt particularly relevant to our contemporary moment.
Meet the Community Curator
Kerriann Otaño
Vice President of Engagement
OperaDelaware
Kerriann Otaño joined OperaDelaware as Vice President of Engagement in July 2022. After an extensive career as a spinto soprano in leading opera houses including Washington National Opera, Opera San Jose, Wolf Trap Opera, and the Metropolitan Opera, Kerriann began transitioning into artistic administration in 2019 with a focus on artist advocacy, IDEA initiatives, and mental healthcare for singers. Kerriann holds a Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance from Indiana University and a Master’s degree from Mannes the New School for Music in New York City. Kerriann’s 2023 TEDx on artist and audience advocacy was released on TEDTalk’s global network and has received over 25,000 views. She is the featured soprano soloist on Naxos’ 2018 Songfest recorded live with the National Orchestral Institute Philharmonic.
In addition to her extensive knowledge of operatic repertoire and her enthusiasm for reaching new audiences, Ms. Otaño brings an artist-centered approach to her work, focusing on cultivating long-term relationships through deeply-rooted community collaboration, innovation, and robust artist-led initiatives. She has been the recipient of many prestigious awards and recognitions including Delaware Business Times 40 Under 40 in 2024, Top Women in Business 2025, and Musical America Worldwide’s list of Top 30 Arts Professionals of 2026. Kerriann resides in Wilmington with her husband, tenor Dane Suarez, and their sweet pups, Frankie and Chalupa.
Curator Reflection
This image depicts, with striking realism, the energy of live performance. Illustrator Alice Barber Stephens captures the hum of anticipation, the rustle of programs, and the collective breath of a crowd united in art. The room is alive with energy: eager concertgoers fill every seat, musicians poised at the ready. Stephens’ composition overflows with vitality, offering a vivid glimpse into the cultural heartbeat of her era.
Created during a period when American illustration provided more professional opportunities for women than the fine arts did, this piece also honors the trailblazing spirit of its creator. Stephens was among the first women to carve out a successful career in illustration after studying at the Philadelphia College of Design for Women and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts under Thomas Eakins. Her work appeared regularly in Harper’s and other major publications, illustrating the writings of Nathaniel Hawthorne and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. For me, this piece embodies the timeless power of live art to bring people together, to awaken emotion, and to remind us of our collective need for beauty and connection.
About the Artist
Alice Barber Stephens was one of the most prolific women artists of her day. She was an engraver, painter, illustrator, and teacher and co-founded the Plastic club, an organization for women artists. Her work regularly appeared in magazines and she had contracts with Scribner’s, Harper’s, Ladies Home Journal, Life, McCall’s, and Country Gentleman. While she frequently depicted domestic scenes featuring women and children, her work defied categorization and included fiction, social commentary, biography, and even the mystery stories of Sherlock Holmes.
This illustration depicts a midweek afternoon concert. The audience members in the foreground have unique mannerisms and details in their attire to differentiate them and give them each a personality. The work is painted in grisaille—meaning in shades of black and white—for reproduction in Harper’s Weekly magazine.
Engage Beyond the Artwork
Stephens refused to choose one path; she was an engraver, painter, illustrator, teacher, and club founder all at once. What are the different interests or roles you love balancing in your own life?
About the Exhibition
On view until January 3 – Reflections: 25 Objects for 250 Years of Delaware History is an exhibition curated entirely by Delaware community members reflecting on the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Visit and explore all 25 objects, community reflections, and the opportunity to add your own reflection.