Monthly Archives: June 2014

Without the Wall

Without the Wall, Art in City Hall WITHOUT THE WALL

Presented by Art In City Hall, Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy In partnership with An Open Window, a nonprofit project partner of the Center for Transformative Action affiliated with Cornell University.

Philadelphia, PA – Philadelphia’s Art In City Hall program – part of the City’s Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy (OACCE) presents Without the Wall, an art installation curated by Treacy Ziegler. The exhibit runs from June 25th – August 22nd, City Hall 2nd Floor, NE corner near the offices of the Mayor.

Without the Wall is an anonymous presentation of approximately 55 incarcerated and non-incarcerated artists, many of whom are from the Philadelphia region. The installation asks the viewer to experience the art without knowing whether the art is created by prison inmates or professional artists on the outside. The artists were asked to create a work of art in the format of a 6-inch circle. Each piece is framed in a black square and suspended from the ceiling. Because the work is suspended from the ceiling, both sides of the black squares are visible. The backs of the squares are covered with artwork and letters that are sent to Ziegler from prisoners who participate in her through-the-mail curriculum that she has established with 2300 prisoners throughout the United States in her project, An Open Window.

In Treacy Ziegler’s installation of anonymous works, she poses a valuable question: “Can the viewer look at the art purely on the aesthetic experience or will the fact that some paintings by incarcerated artists be a focus on how the work is viewed?”

Her intention isn’t to use art as a form of therapy or rehab for prisoners. It’s about the art itself and whether as viewer’s we can experience art without filters or preconceived notions about the work based on the people who’ve created it.

Treacy Ziegler’s curatorial play further blurs the line between professional and self-taught art,” says Helen Haynes, the City’s new Chief Cultural Officer. “But what she’s also doing in her comparisons, whether it’s her intention or not, is to allow us to recognize through the prism of art – within the darkest ofsettings such as a prison – there can be an uplifting display of human potential.”

Without the Wall is part of An Open Window, a project partner of the Center for Transformative Action affiliated with Cornell University. The mission of the project is implemented through both exhibiting outside professional artwork in prisons and through conducting workshops with inmates.

Treacy Ziegler is an exhibiting artist and over the past 20 years has had about 30 exhibitions in major galleries in New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Toronto, Alexandria, VA. and Corning, NY. She is a graduate of Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. Prior to attending art school, Treacy received a Master of Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania. At that time, she worked as a family therapist and social worker primarily in the housing projects of Philadelphia. In An Open Window project she brings both her skills and vision as a working artist with her social work experience to develop a complex understanding of both art and the viewer’s relationship to that art.

Art In City Hall presents exhibitions that showcase contemporary artwork by emerging and professional visual artists from the Philadelphia region. Encompassing a variety of mediums, techniques, and subjects, this municipal program is committed to presenting a diversity of ideas and artistic explorations. The program strives to link visual artists with the larger community by providing the public with a greater knowledge and appreciation of their artistic achievements. The exhibitions at City Hall are supported by an independent Exhibitions Advisory Committee made up of local arts professionals.

The mission of the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy is to support and promote arts, culture and the creative industries; and to develop partnerships and coordinate efforts that weave arts, culture and creativity into the economic and social fabric of the City. For more information on the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, visit: www.creativephl.org,

wall2

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MEDIUM

MEDIUM, Da Vinci Art AllianceDa Vinci Art Alliance presents a multimedia group exhibition featuring work by members that express and/or demonstrate MEDIUM. An opening reception for the artists and public will be held on Wednesday, July 2, 6–9pm; awards presentation at 7pm

Awards Juror: DoN Brewer, DoNArtNeWs Philadelphia Art News Blog

Meet the new Da Vinci Art Alliance Executive Director, Gaby Heit and Board of Directors!

Da Vinci Art Alliance announces a call for entries:

MEDIUM, July 2–27, 2014

Description and Eligibility:
This multimedia group exhibition is open to all current Da Vinci Art Alliance members and will
feature visual artworks that express and/or demonstrate MEDIUM.

medium [mē′dē əm]
noun
1. something intermediate; a middle state or degree; a point of balance; mean; an intermediate course of action, that occupies a position or represents a condition midway between extremes.
2. an intervening thing through which a force acts or an effect is produced; an agency by which something is accomplished, conveyed, or transferred.
3. any means, agency, or instrumentality; a means of communication that reaches the general public and carries advertising.
4. Something through which something else is transmitted or carried on; a storage device.
5. any surrounding or pervading substance in which bodies exist or move. The substance or
environment in which a specific organism lives and thrives.
6. a person through whom communications are thought to be sent to the living from spirits of the dead, or with agents of another world or dimension.
7. A specific kind of artistic technique or means of expression as determined by the materials
used or the creative methods involved; The materials used in a specific artistic technique.
8. A filtering substance; a solvent with which paint is thinned to the proper consistency.
adjective.
9. in a middle position; intermediate in quality, amount, degree, size, etc.

Rules for Entry:
Artists may submit a maximum of two entries, in any medium. Please briefly describe how each work, expresses and/or demonstrates MEDIUM. Work submitted without an explanation will not be eligible for awards. Entry fee: $10, for 1–2 entries. Artists must be current Da Vinci members to participate. Exhibiting artists are expected to gallery sit for a 2-hour shift during regular gallery hours in the month of July. Da Vinci Art Alliance will receive a 20% commission on any artwork sold from the exhibition, and as a result of contacts made through the exhibition. Da Vinci is responsible for press releases, listings, price lists and gallery labels. Images of artwork may be included in promotion. Artwork will be handled with care, but Da Vinci is not responsible for loss or damage; all art will be uninsured. Entry and exhibition of artworks are at the artists’ own risk.

Delivery, Installation, and Retrieval of Artwork:
Artwork will be due for delivery to Da Vinci Art Alliance on Sunday, June 29, 1–4 pm, or Monday,
June 30, 5–7 pm, or by arrangement with the Director. All work must be display-ready, with proper framing, hooks, hanging wire, bases, monitors, projectors or proper equipment; improperly prepared work will not be accepted. Every effort will be made to exhibit all works submitted, but the number of participants, size, and space restrictions may prohibit displaying more than one work by any artist. Staff from Da Vinci Art Alliance may ask artists for assistance with installation if the artwork requires special attention. Pick up of unsold work: Sunday, July 27, 5–7 pm, or Monday, July 28, 5-7 pm. Works not retrieved will incur a $5/day storage fee, unless other arrangements are made with the Director for later pick-up.

Reception:
An opening reception and awards presentation for the artists and public will be held on
Wednesday, July 2, 6–9 pm.
CALENDAR:
Delivery of labeled art work: June 29, 1–4 pm, and June 30, 5–7 pm
Installation of show: July 1, beginning at 10 am
Artist Reception and Awards Presentation: July 2, 6–9 pm
Pick-up of unsold art work: July 27, 5–7 pm, and July 28, 5–7 pm

Prospectus link

Da Vinci Art Alliance is a non-profit artists’ organization located in South Philadelphia. The organization was founded in 1931 to serve the needs of professional artists and artisans in the Delaware Valley. Da Vinci Art Alliance currently has over 150 members and is supported through membership dues, gallery rentals, sales commissions, grants, and donations. It holds exhibitions of members’ and non-members’ artwork as well as special events, workshops, performances, poetry readings, and lectures.

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Outer Limits

Outer Limits, Art in City Hall

Art by Art Centers Bordering Philly Comes to City Hall

Philadelphia, PA – Philadelphia’s Art In City Hall program – part of the City’s Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy (OACCE) – opens its summer juried exhibit by artists from art centers bordering Philadelphia’s. The exhibit runs from June 25 – August 29th, and is located in the Art Gallery at City Hall, Room 116. An artist reception is scheduled for June 25, from 5-7 pm.

Outer Limits: Art Beyond Philly’s Borders paints a broad picture of the arts in the region, aiming to bridge a stronger connection to artists and community art centers that contribute to the cultural vitality of the Greater Philadelphia – South Jersey region. The exhibit features 29 works by 23 artists, including paintings in traditional and mixed media, photography, prints and ceramic. Over 200 works were reviewed.

Helen Haynes, Philadelphia’s new Chief Cultural Officer acknowledges the artistic strength of the region:

“We are thrilled to host this exhibit of our outstanding artists from the Philadelphia Metropolitan area representing the five-county region and South Jersey. We are all tied together through the creativity that enriches our environment, and speaks to our aspirations for vital and dynamic communities.”

The 23 participating artists are:

Nancy Alter, John Benigno, Jane E. Cary, Michelle Ciarlo-Hayes, Suzanne Comer, Constance Culpepper, Laura Ducceschi, Terri Fridkin, Ellen Grenell, Brenda Howell, Amy Kazakidis, Nancy Kress, Deborah Leavy, Veena Loftus, Karen Hunter-McLaughlin, Kim Mehler, Kay Moon, Val Rossman, Jane Rovins, Rashidah Salam, Norman Soong, Helge Speth and Nury Vicens-Rosenbusch.

The works were selected by four members of the Art In City Hall Exhibitions Advisory Committee:

  • Eiko Fan, Artist/Teaching Artist
  • Greta Greenberger, Director of City Hall Tours
  • Mary Salvante, Gallery Program Director at Rowan University
  • John Vick, Project Curatorial Assistant, Modern and Contemporary Art at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Submissions were received by artists from Main Line Art Center, Cheltenham Center for the Arts, Perkins Center for the Arts, Community Arts Center (at Wallingford), Media Arts Council, Wayne Art Center, Hammonton Arts Center, Darlington Arts Center and Abington Art Center.

The Greater Philadelphia – South Jersey metropolitan area consists of five counties in southeastern Pennsylvania – Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia, and four counties in Southern New Jersey – Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Salem. Many residents from these communities either work in Philadelphia, or frequent Philadelphia’s world-class arts venues. We acknowledge this relationship in-kind by showcasing the extensive artistic talents that reside in our neighboring communities.

Art In City Hall presents exhibitions that showcase contemporary artwork by emerging and professional visual artists from the Philadelphia region. Encompassing a variety of mediums, techniques, and subjects, this municipal program is committed to presenting a diversity of ideas and artistic explorations.

The program strives to link visual artists with the larger community by providing the public with a greater knowledge and appreciation of their artistic achievements. The exhibitions at City Hall are supported by an independent Exhibitions Advisory Committee made up of local arts professionals. For more information on Art In City Hall.

The mission of the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy is to support and promote arts, culture and the creative industries; and to develop partnerships and coordinate efforts that weave arts, culture and creativity into the economic and social fabric of the City. For more information on the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, visit: www.creativephl.org.

Tu Huynh, City Hall Exhibitions Manager

215-686-9912, Tu.Huynh@phila.gov

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Community Gardens Day

Community Gardens DayPhoto by Jeff Stroud, Nature Spirit Photography

WHEN:     SATURDAY, JUNE 21, 10 A.M. TO 3 P.M.

WHERE:   BEL ARBOR COMMUNITY GARDEN,  10th & Kimball Sts., South Philadelphia

WHAT:   The newly revitalized Neighborhood Gardens Trust is kicking off the summer season with the first citywide Community Gardens Day! Participating gardens of NGT and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, as well as others throughout Philadelphia, will celebrate with a variety of family-friendly activities. Gardeners and garden lovers of all ages can join in garden tours, hands-on garden workdays, arts and crafts projects, and opportunities to enjoy the city’s beautiful community gardens and learn more about gardening. A perfect way to celebrate the first day of summer!

The event at Bel Arbor will launch the festivities with noted guests and the reading of a Mayoral Proclamation announcing Philadelphia’s inaugural Community Gardens Day.   Check www.ngtrust.org for the up-to-date map of the 30 participating gardens, many of which are protected from development by NGT, whose mission is to acquire and preserve community gardens and shared open space in order to enhance the quality of life in Philadelphia neighborhoods. With 42 million Americans growing their own food in home and community gardens, residents and visitors to Philadelphia can experience how community gardens enhance the quality of life in their neighborhoods, provide healthy food for everyone, and help the environment.

WHO:

  • Margaret McCarvill, Board President, Neighborhood Gardens Trust
  • Mark Focht, First Deputy Commissioner, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation
  • Drew Becher, President, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
  • Councilman Mark Squilla, First District
  • Carla Puppin, NGT Board Member, Bel Arbor Garden Representative & Co-Founder

Additional Photo and Video Ops:    Visit the Strawberry Mansion Green Resource Center for a workshop on composting.  (link to: http://ngtrust.org/index.php/2014/01/18/strawberry-mansion-grc/)

The Strawberry Mansion Green Resource Center is located on Ridge Avenue at Natrona Street. The lots that make up the site are leased from the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority and contain 31 community beds and 15 beds for students at the Strawberry Mansion High School across the street. The site acts as a Green Resource Center for the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, one of five spaces that support neighbors and other urban farmers in growing fresh, healthy food and creating a more beautiful city landscape.

Drop by the Spooky Gardens (http://ngtrust.org/index.php/2014/01/18/spooky-garden/) to check out the “community backyard” and complete an arts & crafts activity.

The Spooky Garden, located on two lots that stretch from North Fourth Street to North Leithgow Street, between George Street and Girard Avenue, acts as a “community backyard” for the nearby residents. Like many city gardens, the lots that compose the Spooky Garden were a former dumping ground that the surrounding neighbors cleaned up more than 20 years ago. The yard hosts community vegetable, herb & flower gardens, trees (including a magnificent elm that is estimated to be over 75 years old), shrubs, a community composter, sitting areas and a small open lawn.

The 2,000-square-foot space has seven distinct mixed-use growing plots, and currently serves 11 member households (18 adults and eight children). While some members follow a traditional community garden approach, focusing on growing vegetables, herb and flowers, others use the yard primarily as a gathering space to socialize with and get to know their neighbors, and some see it as a safe place for their young children to play and learn about nature. This wide range of uses makes the Spooky Garden unique among community gardens in the city and enables it to meet the needs of a diverse group of neighbors.

Since the clean-up years ago, neighbors tried all avenues available to preserve these lots as open community green space. When the lots were listed as “For Sale By Owner” in a craigslist auction in January 2011 without any posting or notice to adjacent neighbors, a powerful wave of community support and network news coverage got the attention of Councilman Darrell Clarke. After visiting the garden and meeting with neighbors, Clarke expressed his approval of and support for the community’s efforts by removing the properties from the auction block and securing the current license agreement between the city and NGT.

The name Spooky Garden is inspired by the garden’s annual Halloween celebration, which attracts hundreds of Philadelphians from across the city.

Help finish a mosaic art project at Hicks Street Garden (http://ngtrust.org/index.php/2014/01/18/hicks-street-garden/).

Hicks Street Garden is located on South Hicks Street between Moore and Mifflin. The garden was founded and preserved in 2007. More than 20 gardeners, including young children, cultivate primarily ornamental plants in this single-lot garden. The lot is located on a small street in South Philadelphia where increasing development pressure has created demand for open space. The garden provides an opportunity to restore the quality of life for residents and make the entire neighborhood safer. In addition to planting, the gardeners have been developing a wall mural engaging children and families as it evolves to completion.

Hear the AMLA Youth Latin Jazz Ensemble performing at 11 AM at the NET Garden at 4404 N. 5th Street as part of Make Music Philly,  AND MUCH MORE!! 

Through its ongoing programs and special projects, AMLA promotes the development, dissemination, and understanding of Latin music in the Philadelphia area and beyond.

AMLA’s programs are directed mainly to Latino youth, families, and community members, but are open to all students, families, musicians, dancers, and aficionados of Latin American music and culture. By teaching and inspiring love for and disciplined knowledge of Latin music and dance, AMLA helps build bridges between frequently divided racial and ethnic communities. AMLA, like its partner organization Esperanza, believes that strong engagement in culture strengthens community.

Community Gardens Day is made possible through the generosity of its sponsors: Chanticleer, Mostardi Nursery, Whole Foods Market-South Street, Urban Jungle, and Valley Green Bank.

Gardens

The Neighborhood Gardens Trust acquires and preserves community gardens and shared open space in order to enhance the quality of life in Philadelphia neighborhoods. Over the past two years, NGT has re-examined its mission and gone through an organizational renaissance that has led to new vision for the future. Now, with a new board of directors and a recently completed strategic business plan in place, NGT seeks to re-introduce itself to the Philadelphia region and establish itself as the city’s leading non-profit community land trust.

Media contacts: Alan Jaffe, PHS, 215.988.8833, (m) 267.968.0859ajaffe@pennhort.org or Nina Zucker Assoc at 610.457.4387 or nzapr@aol.com.

Photo by Jeff StroudNature Spirit Photography

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Manayunk

25th Annual Manayunk Arts FestivalPHILADELPHIA, PA: Manayunk is getting ready to celebrate a milestone. The annual Manayunk Arts Festival will celebrate 25 years of being the region’s largest outdoor juried arts festival. On Saturday June 21st and Sunday June 22nd tradition will continue as 300 artists from across the country showcase their work along historic Main Street.

To kick off the festival weekend, Manayunk will welcome the Summer Solstice with the Manayunk Solstice Fire starting at 5pm on Friday June 20th along the historic Manayunk canal with activities for all ages including an animal show, dance performances, and the lighting of 12 floating bonfires to celebrate the solstice.

The main event, the Manayunk Arts Festival, which is organized and operated annually by the Manayunk Development Corporation (MDC) and Manayunk.com, is free to the public and will feature artists from seven different disciplines including fiber, glass & ceramics, jewelry, mixed media, painting & drawing, photography, and wood & sculpture. Visitors can also enjoy food and beverages from Manayunk’s acclaimed restaurants and cool off by shopping at Manayunk’s unique boutiques and stores. The festival will run on Saturday from 11 am until 7 pm and Sunday from 11 am until 6 pm.

For Jane Lipton, MDC’s Executive Director who was a volunteer at the very first Manayunk Arts Festival in 1990 , the evolution of the festival over a quarter of a century has been remarkable.

“It’s hard to believe it’s been 25 years already, but here we are and it’s fantastic,” said Lipton. “I honestly don’t know how, but every year the quality and uniqueness of the artwork gets better and better. I feel it’s a testament to the growing art scene in Manayunk, Philadelphia, and beyond. Our jurors were extremely impressed with the artistic breadth of this year’s submissions and more than 200,000 festival goers will soon find out why.”

Part of the magic of the show is the combination of returning artists mixed with young new emerging artists. Festival goers will see work exhibited by artists who have done the show since it first began in 1990 – and work from artist as young as 19 who are participating in their first festival. Juried in since the very first year is New York based wearable artist Ossie Rioux, Manayunk based Rachel Isaac and photographer Jim Spillane.

For the third year, local and budding talent will be featured in the Emerging Artist Tent located at the intersection of Main Street and Roxborough Ave. 30 artists will display their work in the tent throughout the weekend. One of those artists is Jared Oriel, a local artist who just completed his first year of college at the Pratt Institute.

FESTIVAL PARKING AND TRANSPORTATION SHUTTLE

Round-trip shuttle service is available for just $3 per person. Proceeds benefit the North Light Community Center. Free

Shuttle Parking is available at the following locations:

  •  555 City Avenue on Presidential Blvd. in Bala Cynwyd
  •  Ivy Ridge Train Station on Umbria Street

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION (www.septa.org)

  • Train: A 15-minute ride from Center city via the Manayunk Norristown Regional Rain Line to the Manayunk Station.
  • Bus: Take the #61 bus route from Center City to Main Street.

For more information on the Manayunk Arts Festival, please call 215-482-9565 or visit www.manayunk.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Shannon Geddes, Manayunk Development Corporation Public Relations and Events Coordinator sgeddes@manayunk.org or 267-270-3077

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