A Retrospective for Philly treasure Syd Carpenter. The Woodmere presents Planting in Place, Time, and Memory

K.A. McFadden, Broad Street Review, March 17, 2026

Syd Carpenter (born 1953) is a Philadelphia treasure. To honor her work, the Woodmere has organized a retrospective titled Planting in Place, Time, and Memory, showcasing more than 50 years of her ceramic sculptures, which explores African American history through themes of family, farming, and community.

 

At Woodmere’s Smith Hall, Carpenter’s works are organized both chronologically and thematically, helping visitors understand and appreciate her evolving creative practice...