BEHIND THE ARTIST’S STUDIO Philadelphia Open Studio Tours gives viewers an intimate look into the workspaces of currently–practicing artists. Check out these venues for a rare out–of–gallery experience. BY GINA DECAGNA
1. Chemical Heritage Foundation 315 Chestnut St. First Friday Hours: 5 – 8 p.m.
Jennifer Williams
"Swim" by Jennifer Williams
Watercolors and paper sculptures by two artists take center stage at this Old City hub. "Skinny City" by Maggie Mills
Green Line Café 4239 Baltimore Ave. Not down to trek over to a bunch of studios? Check out Green Line Café, where you can grab some coffee, sit down and peruse a book next to the garden and look at various contemporary Philadelphian artworks exhibited right inside. The only thing better than free art is free art and caffeine.
CENTER CITY WEST Kimberly Witham
4. Sidewalk Market Elfreth’s Alley, 2nd St. between Arch and Race 5 – 9 p.m.
It’s getting colder out there, but what better way to enjoy a crisp fall night than stocking up on some seasonally–appropriate vintage finds?
Enjoy some complimentary refreshments and conversation with artist Nancy E.F. Halbert at the opening of her beautifully whimsical show, "Endure." "Still Life with Two Squirrels" by Kimberly Witham
Susan Kolber
Check out 34st.com for an interview with architecture major and photographer, Susan Kolber.
34TH STREET Magazine October 4, 2012
5. Muse Gallery 52 N. 2nd St. 5 – 8:30 p.m.
Ted Mosher Octo Studio Building, 2202 Alter St. Cezanne may have been the first to systematize landscape into simple geometries and colors, but Moscher takes abstraction to a new level. He constructs landscapes that resemble entirely different objects. Don’t miss this unique twist on genre painting, and let us know if you saw the magical ponies in the paintings too…
3. First Friday Speakeasy Wine School of Philadelphia 127 S. 22nd St. Doors Open 6:30 p.m.
Substitute whining about classes for classes about wine.
Green Line Cafe
Center for Emerging Visual Arts, 237 S. 18th St.,The Barclay, 3rd floor Remember that time you ran over a squirrel and kept driving? Through her carefully composed photographs, Witham captures provocatively witty and whimsical arrangements of domestic objects with the fuzzy little creatures that suburbia so often kills. The photograph of a dead mouse lying next to pristinely white china will bring tears to your eyes, reminding you of the fact that you are indeed a heartless murderer. We’re calling PETA.
On view right now is the intriguing “Alchemical Quest” exhibit, which investigates the origins of chemistry and science. 2. Gallery Joe 302 Arch St. First Friday Hours: 6 - 8 p.m.
Maggie Mills 506 S. 45th St. Attention Freudian freaks! Lose yourself in a Dali–inspired trance as you stare into the dreamy juxtapositions of Mills’s work. She plays with realistic figures but depicts them against simplified, sometimes graphic, backgrounds. Each painting tells the story of an individual lost in a subconscious world.
October’s your second chance to take a needle to the proverbial Penn bubble and explore what the Philly art scene has to offer. BY BRIDGET MCGEEHAN
WEST PHILADELPHIA University City Arts League, 4226 Spruce St. Have your mind blown by massive photographic collage installations, where photography meets sculpture. Speaking to the grimiest elements of urban environments, Williams shows audiences how a pile of dirty garbage can be arranged into a beautifully escalating masterpiece.
Thank God it’s Friday
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ARTS
"Take a Look at These Hands II" by Ted Mosher 13