A Look Inside
Issue 35 Fall 2026
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Fall 2026
Back to You Back-to-school season is here, Bok-style. Get moving in a class, learn a new skill, or make something with your hands—no report card necessary.
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1. The Craftship
3. Tuft the World
5. HamsaMade Judaica Studio
The Craftship is a creative workshop hosting classes and events for kids and adults.
Tuft the World teaches rug tufting workshops, sells supplies for making rugs, and produces custom rugs.
Artist Danielle Abrams host monthly mosaic workshops that inspire artists to connect to their creativity and to one another.
Mark your calendar: Spooky season is upon us—keep an eye out for Sparkly Pumpkins, Disco Skulls, DIY Costume days, and more. thecraftship.com / @the.craftship
2. KG Strong KG Strong is South Philly’s woman-owned, community-powered strength studio, where people of all genders and experience levels learn that strength is a skill, expert coaching makes it accessible, and everything is better with friends. Mark your calendar: Strong Mom (a six-week strength program for pregnant and postpartum people) begins 9/29, while the four-week Beginner Series starts 9/15 for anyone new to strength training. Plus, their summer Rooftop Yoga & Fitness series continues through the end of September, with classes on Tuesdays and Saturdays. kgstrongtraining.com / @kg_strong
Mark your calendar: Join their weekly rug-tufting classes, as well as ceramics classes in space 501. Rug tufting classes are held most Saturdays, along with evening Drink & Tuft sessions. They also host a weekly Pinch Pot Happy Hour on Thursdays, plus occasional mini ceramics workshops. tufttheworld.com / @tuft_the_world
4. Holly Simple Studio Holly gently guides community to gather in creation together through her eccentric Trinket Bars, jewelry, beading, and drawing workshops, and manifestation circles. Mark your calendar: Fall events include monthly Still-Life Drawing Club meetups and “Intentional Trinkets” (jewelry-making workshops focused on manifestation). hollysimplestudio.com / @holly_simple
Mark your calendar: This fall HamsaMade will be launching a monthly series of art workshops aligned with the solar lunar calendar infused with Jewish wisdom, beginning with a Rosh Hashanah New Years celebration on 9/9. Each new moon will inspire a new craft and group discussion around the theme of that month. hamsamadegifts.com / @hamsamade
There’s always something to learn about at Bok. Explore our Community Directoy to find more learning-focused businesses here at Bok. Visit buildingbok.com/community and filter by “classes + workshops.”
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Back to You 11
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@graceamariphoto
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6. Alloy Atelier Alloy Atelier is part working jewelry studio, part classroom, and part gallery founded by two practicing metalsmiths.
Mark your calendar: Attend one of their threehour, project-based workshops like Stacking Rings or Hoop Earrings, or dive deeper in a multi-week jewelry making class. Getting ready to walk down the aisle? They also offer private wedding bandmaking workshops.
8. Amy Novinski Ballet Amy Novinski Ballet is a Philadelphia-based ballet studio offering classical ballet training based on the Vaganova method for dancers of all ages and levels, with an emphasis on detailed technique, individualized instruction, and a supportive learning environment. Mark your calendar: Introduction to Ballet for Adults 12-week series. Sunday mornings In Studio and on Zoom, begins September 20. No prior experience necessary.
alloyatelier.com / @alloyatelier
amynovinski.com / @amynovinski
7. Studio Incamminati: School for Contemporary Realist Art
9. Philly inMovement
Founded by renowned artists Nelson and Leona Shanks, Studio Incamminati is an accredited Realist Art Academy for artists seeking to master classical techniques used to create highly detailed, lifelike representations of people and the world around them, while also building sustainable, professional careers. Mark your calendar: Multi-week workshops this fall include Drawing the Portrait in Charcoal, Figure Drawing, Portrait Drawing, and Portrait Painting. studioincamminati.edu / @studioincamminati
Since 2008, Philly InMovement has been serving children, families, and adults in the community with high-quality gymnastics and movement programming, including classes, camps, and parties. Mark your calendar: Their Fall session includes classes for all ages and abilities. From playful Early Years and skill-building School-Aged classes to Adult gymnastics and fitness, there’s something for everyone. Visit their website to explore current class offerings and find the right fit for you. phillyinmovement.com / @phillyinmovement
10. Restore Physical Therapy and Pelvic Health Restore PT is an orthopedic and pelvic floor physical therapy practice that helps people reduce their symptoms through all phases of life and become functionally strong. Mark your calendar: Learn Baby Wearing Ergonomics with Dr. Sam and Dr. Dana on 9/2, and Infant CPR with Kailah King Collins on 10/16 and 11/20. Check their website for workshops on general pelvic floor education, birth prep, postpartum recovery, and peri/menopause. restorethefloorpt.com / @restorept.philly
11. Hum Yoga Studio Hum Yoga Studio is more than a place to move on your mat; it is a space to reflect, refine, and reconnect in community.
Mark your calendar: Attend Pay-what-you-can classes, Prenatal Yoga & Pelvic Floor Therapy Workshop, and Alignment Foundations Workshop. Plus, they are adding new Open Levels, Basics, and Restorative classes throughout the season. humyogastudio.com / @humyogastudio
Paint + wax on wood by Jamal Browning of SpArc Studio
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Fall 2026
Finding Alignment at Hum Yoga
What is Hum Yoga all about? Hum Yoga Studio is a space for people to breathe deeply, move in nourishing ways, and find stillness while the world around us may say otherwise. Rooted in the rich history of yoga, we offer a diverse range of classes to meet you where you are, from dynamic flows to restorative classes filled with time to reflect, refine, and rediscover.
Nicole Schiff, owner of Hum Yoga, on what it means to hold space for community and find your “beauty marks.”
What inspired you to start Hum Yoga? Yoga has always been an integral part of my life, but when I was younger it was more of an individual experience. I immersed myself in yoga soon after moving to Philadelphia, and in it I found a community. I have always had a passion for holding space for people to grow and discover more about themselves (as an Aquarius, I care deeply about the collective!), and I knew eventually that would manifest in a physical space. When I stepped into room 621 at Bok, everything made sense. I was ready to create a place where people could drop expectations, be present, and meet new versions of themselves when they walked through the doorway.
Owner Nicole Schiff in the Hum Yoga studio (above), and providing handson assistance in class (above right).
Photos by Ed Newton
Why did you choose to come to Bok?
A SpArc of Creativity
Meet SpArc Studio, a space where artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities are making, connecting, and building their creative practices. What is SpArc all about? SpArc supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) through arts programming that encourages inclusion, independence, and personal achievement. Our roots go back to 1948, when a group of Philadelphia parents founded The Arc of Philadelphia to advocate
I am in awe of all that happens here—the creativity, belonging, individuality—I am excited to be a part of such a beautiful community! I started my professional career as a public school teacher, so it is full circle being back in a classroom. Why is this type of practice important? The name “Hum” was inspired by the Sanskrit term
I’m new to yoga! Where do I start? A great place to start is our new Sunday morning Basics Class, but you can take any of our classes; just let the teacher know you are new to yoga so they can give you extra care and guidance. How can people support Hum Yoga? Bring a friend with you to class and help us build our community! humyogastudio.com / @humyogastudio
for greater opportunities for children with IDD. Today, SpArc’s Cultural Arts program builds on that legacy by supporting people with IDD as professional artists, using creativity to foster confidence, community, and financial independence. Why did you choose to come to Bok? Bok is a vibrant creative community, and we saw an opportunity for SpArc artists to connect with neighboring makers, participate in building-wide events, and become part of the larger Philadelphia arts community. SpArc Studio also fills a need for accessible creative spaces in the city, giving artists with IDD a place to refine their craft, showcase and sell their work, and build meaningful connections with artists and neighbors. What’s new at SpArc this fall?
Photos by Ed Newton
“Spanda,” which is translated to “pulse” or “subtle vibration.” It is the continuous movement of universal consciousness; a subtle hum that lives within us all. In a world that moves so quickly, we can use yoga as a tool to stay grounded and engaged. The more we stay connected to our own energy, the more we are able to share our individual, beautiful gifts and leave our “beauty marks” on the world. Yoga allows us to both see and be the beauty, and I want those who practice at Hum to find their own.
SpArc Studio is expanding its hours to six days a week, thanks to the addition of new job coaches who are helping artists further develop their skills. Looking ahead to 2027, SpArc is also working on new exhibitions, a short film with the Philadelphia Film Society, and a live theater production with Arden Theatre Company. We’re grateful to the National Endowment for the Arts and the William
SpArc instructor Chiong Lin works with artist Christopher Williams (above), and Christopher showcases his artwork (below left).
Penn Foundation for their generous support and for empowering artists with IDD through the arts! How can people support SpArc? Purchase artwork created by our artists, attend an event or exhibit, follow along on social media, sign up for the newsletter, and help spread the word about the importance of disability inclusion in the arts!
sparcphilly.org / @sparcphilly
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The Trade-Off: Bok Then & Now
From woodworking to culinary arts, many of Bok Tech’s original trade shops are still practiced in the building nearly 90 years later.
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Now
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Core Values with Restore Physical Therapy The folks at Restore Physical Therapy explain the importance of the pelvic floor and how it supports us all, from everyday movement to postpartum recovery.
Dr. Sam Leonetti (left) and Dr. Victoria Clement (below) of Restore Physical Therapy and Pelvic Health
What is Restore all about? Tailoring
The Tailored Collective
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Commercial Art
Smith & Diction
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Woodworking
Nat Fry Woodworking
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Culinary Arts
Second Daughter Baking
The LAW Bridal
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Paperhanging
Done & Dusted Backdrops
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Watchmaking
Watchcraft
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Nursing
The pelvic floor is a name for the bowl-shaped group of muscles, ligaments, and fascia spanning from the tailbone and sacrum to the pubic bone and pubic symphysis. It provides a supportive structure for your organs, helps create stability for your core and trunk, and is an integral part of urinary, bowel, and sexual functions. Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy (PFPT) is a specialty within orthopedic physical therapy that focuses on the pelvic floor and other structures at the center (hips, core, lower back, diaphragm, bowels, bladder, etc.) of the body. Since all PFPTs are orthopedic PTs first, we evaluate and treat the whole body instead of just the pelvic floor in isolation.
GOOD BL ADDER + BOWEL HABITS
🙂 Avoid hovering over the toilet, wh ich prevents your pelvic floor muscles from fully relaxing, leading to incomplete emptying of the bowel and bladder.
🙂 Avoid “just in case” peeing. Thi s disrupts the natura l urge your bod y sends you and makes it harder to tell true urges from habits.
🙂 Avoid breath holding and strain ing when toileting, which makes the pelvic floo r more tense.
🙂 Try elevating your feet to help reduce time sitting on the toilet and make toileting easier. Wyss Wellness Center
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Beauty Culture
What is the pelvic floor?
What is pelvic floor physical therapy?
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Dressmaking
Restore Physical Therapy and Pelvic Health was founded in 2021 with the intent to provide individualized, one-on-one physical therapy services to the Philadelphia area. Restore’s founder, Victoria Clement (PT, DPT, Doula, CSCS), emphasises the importance of functional strength and screenings for a more holistic approach.
Fringe Salon
TO YOUR CONNECTING E R BREATH + CO nd s, scapula, a b ri r u o y l e e F Inha le: degrees. pa nd in 360 belly x e ly t n e g y ll be to force your You don’t have outwa rd. p core a ge your dee g n e ly t n e G : 0 Exha le sensation 36 g in g g u h a . to crea te our abdomen y d n u ro a s e degre Who is PFPT for? PFPT is for everybody because everyone has a pelvic floor! Some of the most common issues are constipation, urinary incontinence or urgency, pelvic pain, low back pain, groin pain, hip tightness, pain with penetration/intercourse, pelvic heaviness or prolapse, and post pelvic/abdominal surgery (abdominoplasty, vaginoplasty/vulvoplasty, phalloplasty, etc.). Can PFPT help with my pregnancy? PFPT is great for the peripartum population. During pregnancy we can help with discomfort, working on tailored strengthening, education and movement through various delivery positions. We also offer coaching on proper pushing mechanics for vaginal delivery. Postpartum rehab can start as early as three weeks after birth to help with muscular weakness, diastasis recti, scar care, or pains related to recovery and taking care of a newborn. How do I get started in PFPT? We offer free 15 minute intake calls across all our clinics if you ever want to chat with a PFPT or learn more about us! We have offices in Manayunk, Spring House, Ardmore, Rittenhouse Square, and, of course, at Bok. Follow us on Instagram for updates on our Pelvic Floor workshops!
restorethefloorpt.com / @restorept.philly
Issue 35 // Fall 2026 A Look Inside
buildingbok.com @buildingbok
Open Studios
What’s Next Bread + Puppet: The Upside Down Circus September 23, 7:00pm-8:15pm The one and only Bread & Puppet Circus is coming to Bok’s Auditorium. One of the nation’s oldest and most influential nonprofit political theater companies, expect giant puppets, bold visual storytelling, stilt dancers, papier-mâché beasts, and a riotous brass band. Bread & Puppet Press “Cheap Art”—books, posters, postcards, pamphlets, and banners—will also be for sale.
Fall Open Studios October 9, 5:00pm-9:00pm Fall into inspiration at Open Studios! Explore all 9 floors of Bok, meet 75+ artists, makers, and small businesses, and shop, sip, and connect along the way. Always free entry and family-friendly, Open Studios is your chance to wander the building and discover everything from fine artists and glassblowers to bakers, guitar makers, photographers, and more. Then, take it to the rooftop for drinks and bites at Bok Bar or Irwin’s.
Bok Bar Closing Day November 1, 2:00pm-9:00pm One last round! Celebrate the season’s closing day on everyone’s favorite roof with skyline views, drinks, bites, and one final summer hang. Bok Bar’s full menu of cocktails, wine, craft beers, and zeroproof options will be flowing, with plenty of good vibes to send off the season. Come raise a glass, soak up the view, and give summer a proper goodbye.
For more events, visit buildingbok.com/calendar
Produced by
scout
Cover photo Hum Yoga by Ed Newton Content + Design Kelley Garrard Template design Smith & Diction Photos Provided by Scout or each feature unless otherwise credited