AOIF Brings ‘Charlotte’s Web’ Art to Public View for the First Time at Richmond Museum of Art

This winter, The Arts of Imagination Foundation is proud to share a remarkable piece of literary and visual history with the public: the original artwork created for the cover of Charlotte’s Web by celebrated illustrator Garth Williams.

From December 13, 2025 through March 7, 2026, the Richmond Art Museum (RAM) in Richmond, Indiana, will present both the original pen-and-ink drawing and a watercolor painting used for the iconic book cover. This marks the first time these works have ever been displayed together in a museum setting, having remained in private collections since their creation more than seventy years ago.

The artwork is on loan from The Arts of Imagination Foundation as part of our ongoing mission to illuminate how timeless stories—and the art they inspire—shape culture, foster connection, and invite personal discovery across generations. An unveiling celebration will take place on January 21 at 5:00 PM, featuring performers from Stage One Youth Theatre’s Charlotte’s Web cast.

“Charlotte’s Web has always been a story about how a single act of kindness can bring an entire community together,” said Brady Schwind, Executive Director of The Arts of Imagination Foundation. “That spirit sits at the heart of our work. We’re honored that Richmond will be the first community to experience this original cover art in public—an image that has quietly shaped the childhoods of millions.”

Illustrated by Garth Williams (1912–1996), one of the most influential figures in American children’s literature, the Charlotte’s Web cover depicts Wilbur, Charlotte, and Fern with a warmth and humanity that has never been altered by the publisher, HarperCollins, despite decades of reprints and editions. Alongside Charlotte’s Web, Williams’s legacy includes beloved illustrations for Stuart Little and the Little House on the Prairie series.

By presenting both the original line drawing and the finished watercolor, the exhibition offers visitors a rare glimpse into the artistic process behind one of the most enduring book covers of all time.

The Arts of Imagination Foundation is grateful to the Richmond Art Museum for its thoughtful partnership and to the many community organizations collaborating to extend the exhibition’s educational impact. Through school visits, public programming, and cross-institutional collaboration, the exhibition aims to engage young readers and lifelong lovers of story alike.

Further details about related programming will be announced in the coming months.