Category Archives: Public Art

Art events, installations and creations by Philadelphia area artists in public spaces

LOVE-ARMOR in the Icebox @ Crane Arts Center

uvarmor 

The LOVE- Armor project is a collaborative work describing the empathy felt for those existing in war torn Afghanistan and Iraq.  The Icebox is in the Crane Art Center @ 1400 North American Street. Read the whole story here.

Sho & DoN were both drawn into the craftsmanship and thought utilized in the Hummer cozy including J. Crew style pockets, buttons and closures; the pictures of an actual Hummer covered in the crocheted cover reads like putting a daisy in the barrel of a gun.  The space is divided in two with cloth banners separating the movie area documenting the creative process and collaboration involved in producing the huge piece and is an experience design in itself; the movie is heartening and hopeful considering the dire situation.  No more War.

Arthur Ostroff @ Montgomery

Arthur Ostroff @ Montgomery 

Philadelphia artist, Arthur Ostroff escorted fellow artist Jed Williams and DoN to see his one-person installation of prints and drawings at Montgomery County College Library – which is continuing through 12/19.  The college is in Pottstown PA, the library anti-room is spacious and bare, allowing Ostroff to install what amounts to be a retrospective of a career in graphic design and fine art since the late 1950s.  There is a powerful image Ostroff painted of a fellow soldier, in uniform, ready for battle, the beautiful desire to create art lives in the painting: the artist as a young warrior battling for his life.  On board a fighting sea vessel, Ostroff would trade his drawings of boats for beers to his fellow shipmates while sailing off to war.  Other images in the show represent artistic growth and the development of expertise in method and procedure such as multi colored prints.  DoN will post more on the show soon but strongly urges all who can to visit the Library at Montgomery County College not only to experience the fine art of Arthur Ostroff but to learn something new about the art venues outside of Philly who provide the opportunity for such an expansive show – over 75 works of art by one artist, in one room.  Arthur Ostroff @ Montgomery Artist, Arthur Ostroff.Arthur Ostroff @ MontgomeryArthur Ostroff @ Montgomery Arthur Ostroff @ MontgomeryArthur is so interesting, he has truly forged his own way as an artist in a highly innovative mode.  

Jon Laidacker Mural Dedication @ The Church of Philadelphia, 17th & Snyder Ave.

Alden Cole and DoN attended the dedication ceremony to the new mural at 17th and Snyder in South Philly.  As soon as the choir began to sing DoN‘s eyes filled with tears – the mural was eight years in the making and the joy the congregation expressed at having such a beautiful artwork depicting parishioners, clergy and symbolic members of formerly incarcerated people being re-introduced and welcomed into society was beatific.  Designed by artist Jonathan Laidacker, the work was painted by a rotating team of Philadelphia prison system detainees.  The Mural Arts Program works with five different prisons housing more than ten thousand prisoners; the art provides a sence of purpose and helps with reintroduction into the community.  Father D was so eloquent and thankful for the final installation of the work based on Raphael’s School of Athens.The choir of the Church of Philadelphia performing before the new mural @17th and Snyder.

The choir of the Church of Philadelphia performing before the new mural @17th and Snyder.

Father D speaking before his own likeness in the mural by Jon Laidacker.

Father D speaking before his own likeness in the mural by Jon Laidacker.

Mural detail (these two are in the choir, Jon truly captured them in the mural).

Mural detail (these two are in the choir, Jon truly captured them in the mural).  

Jane Golden of Mural Arts

Jane Golden of Mural Arts Program speaking at the dedication.

Jon Laidacker Mural Dedication @ The Church of Philadelphia, 17th & Snyder Ave.

Jonathan Laidacker speaking at the dedication ceremony for the mural he designed for Yhe Church of Philadelphia @ 17th and Snyder Ave in South Philly.  Yo!!! 

Jon Laidacker Mural Dedication @ The Church of Philadelphia, 17th & Snyder Ave.

Jon included an excellent self-portrait in the mural – handsome! 

Philadelphia Sketch Club’s Historical Marker & Breckenridge Unveiling

PSC Historical Marker

Members of the Breckenridge and Wagner families at the unveilng of the Historical Marker at the Philadelphia Sketch Club, the oldest art club in America.  The Breckenridge family donated an important painting of the family matriarch to the Philadelphia Sketch Club that was found folded up in the bottom of a trunk.  The painting has been meticulously restored by the prestigious Newman Gallery and is on display in the meeting room. 

Hugh Henry Breckenridge painting @ PSC

 

 

Muralist Jon Laidacker @ 915 Spring Garden

Jon Laidacker

Artist Jon Laidacker in his studio.   Sunday, 10/19 @ 2:00 the new mural by Laidacker was dedicated at 17th & Snyder called Behold, the Open Door based on Raphael’s School of Athens.  Shoshka, Alden and DoN visited Jon & Andra in his studio @ 915 Spring Garden while taking a break from Charles Cushing’s Tango after-party during the POST/East weekend.  Jon includes characters from the neighborhood in the massive works and works closely with the community to produce appropriate imagery with history and style.  DoN will post a report on the dedication ceremony soon.

Jon Laidacker

 That’s Jon Laidacker in the upper left working on a mural – WoW!