Recent Interviews with Rachel Zimmerman

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DYNAMIC Women DYNAMIC Women PHILADELPHIA

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RACHEL RACHEL ZIMMERMAN ZIMMERMAN InLiquid | Founding & Artistic Director InLiquid | Founding & Artistic Director Crane Arts Building, Studio #314, 1400 North Crane Arts Building, Studio #314, 1400 North American Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122 American Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122 inliquid.org | 215.235.3405 inliquid.org | 215.235.3405

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Rachel Zimmerman, an internationally recognize eeteet Rachel Zimmerman, an internationally recognized artist, curator, Philadelphia native supporting artist, curator, andand Philadelphia native supporting her her hometown’s community of visual artists. hometown’s community of visual artists.

Zimmerman, Founding Artistic Director of InLiquid, starte Zimmerman, thethe Founding andand Artistic Director of InLiquid, started nonprofit years to connect artists audiences thethe nonprofit 25 25 years agoago to connect artists and and audiences in thein th Philadelphia region.

Under her her leadership, InLiquid has been at theat th Philadelphia region.

Under leadership, InLiquid has been forefront of of using the the webweb alongside real-world programming to t forefront using alongside real-world programming connect contemporary art, connect communities, and use art as a as connect contemporary art, connect communities, and use art catalyst forfor civic engagement. catalyst civic engagement.

Inliquid’ s contributions to Philadelphia’ s artsscene do not unnoticed.

Inliquid’ s contributions to Philadelphia’ art scene dogo not go unnoticed The organization has been honored with numerous awards and an The organization has been honored with numerous awards recognition from Philadelphia’s governing officials.

Zimmerman’s recognition from Philadelphia’s governing officials. Zimmerman accomplishments are just as impressive, with her artwork showcased accomplishments are just as impressive, with her artwork showcase in private collections and exhibitions worldwide. in private collections and exhibitions worldwide.

“Starting and running a visual arts nonprofit organization for 25 “Starting and running a visual arts nonprofit organization for 25 years is not for the faint of heart,” says Zimmerman. “It’s an everyears islandscape not for the of heart,” Zimmerman.

“It’s an ever changing thatfaint is complex andsays exhausting but incredibly changingwhen landscape thatthe is complex and exhausting butinincredibl rewarding you see benefits of your hard work the rewarding see you. the ” benefits of your hard work in th success of thewhen peopleyou around success of the people around you.”

While talent plays a crucial role in Zimmerman’s success, her constant While playspositioned a crucial role success, her constan desire to talent grow has herin atZimmerman’ the forefronts of a competitive desire She to grow has positioned her at the forefront ofsitting a competitiv industry. strongly believes in collective improvement, on industry. stronglyand believes in while collective improvement, sitting o several localShe committees boards prioritizing mentorship in several her freelocal time.committees and boards while prioritizing mentorshi in her free time.

Zimmerman has a unique ability to see the potential in others’ ideas and can guide and connect herability network to assist others inin achieving Zimmerman has a unique to see the potential others’ ideas their andgoals. can guide and connect her network to assist others in achievin their goals.

“I love to learn from other people,” she says. “It’s all about dialog and continuing share knowledge–we must assets forabout each other.

“I love to to learn from other people,” she be says.

“It’s all dialog an A continuing Dynamic Woman is someone who can inspire and is willing to share knowledge–we must be assets for eachtoother beA inspired by other people. ” Dynamic Woman is someone who can inspire and is willing t

be inspired by other people.”

Photography by Phil Kramer

Photography by Phil Kramer

insider A insider ART

insider ART insider A Clockwise from top left: The silent

auctionfrom andtop benefit features Clockwise left: The silent two Clockwise from top left: The silent weeks ofbenefit events; Rachel Zimmerman; auction and benefit features two auction and features two weeks of events; Rachel Zimmerman; meet the artists during the auction’s weeks of events; Rachel Zimmerman; meet the artists during the auction’s closing night on March 23. meet the artists during the auction’s closing night on March 23.

Clockwise top23. left: The silent closing night onfrom March auction and benefit features two weeks of events; Rachel Zimmerman; meet the artists during the auction’s closing night on March 23.

Bridging The Gap

Bridging The The Gap Bridging

INLIQUID REFLECTS ON THEIR SILVER JUBILEE. BY MADISON DUDDY

Bridging The Gap In the era of dial-up internet,

with us. We have worked with artists who now show at Art was certainly ambitious—but Seeing InLiquid grow over Basel, exhibit internationally this notion didn’t stop local the past 25 years is surreal. find national-level gallery INLIQUID REFLECTSartist ONand THEIR SILVER JUBILEE.

BY MADISON DUDDYand curator Rachel My kids joke about who I love representation. The list is endless.

Zimmerman from founding more, InLiquid or them, and In the era of dial-up internet,InLiquid (inliquid.org).

How does it feel to celebrate with on us. WeWhat have I jokingly reply it depends hasworked been the with most In the era of dial-up internet, For a quarter Howofdoes it feel to celebrate with us. We have worked with a century, who is “nicer” to me artists that day. partatofArt your the concept of a virtual gallery 25 years? whorewarding now show the nonprofit visual arts experience with InLiquid? the concept of a virtual gallery 25 years? artists who now show at Art was Seeing InLiquid grow over Basel, internationally organization has connected How have you seen InLiquid to work with artwith and In certainly the era ofambitious—but dial-up internet, How does it feel to celebrate withexhibit us.We Weget have worked was certainly Seeing InLiquid over Basel, exhibit internationally this notionambitious—but didn’t stop local artists, curators, the past 25andyearsgrow isimpact surreal. and find national-level patrons Philly’s art scene and artists and creategallery opportunities the concept of a virtual gallery 25 years? artists who now show at Art this artist notionand didn’t stopRachel local the public the past 25joke years is the surreal. and find national-level while serving as a about careers of local artists? for people. creating curator My kids who I love representation.

The It’s listabout isgallery endless. was curator certainlyRachel ambitious—but Seeing InLiquid grow Basel, exhibit internationally free educational resource.

With We haveIover watched artists graduate possibilities and opportunities artistZimmerman and My kids joke about who love representation.

The list is endless. from founding the anniversary more, InLiquid or with them, and benefit a BFA or MFA exhibit artists to tell theirgallery stories this notion didn’t stop local the pastlooming 25 years is surreal. and findfornational-level Zimmerman from founding more, InLiquid or them, and InLiquid (inliquid.org).

I jokingly reply it depends on What has been the most (March 9-23), Zimmerman artist and curator Rachel offers a glimpseMy kids joke about who I love representation. The list is endless.

InLiquid’s InLiquid I jokingly reply to it depends on What has part beenofthe most For a (inliquid.org). quarter of a century, whointo is “nicer” me that day. rewarding your Zimmerman from founding more, InLiquid or them, and success and what’s to come.

How does it feel to celebrate

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT, PHOTOS BY: CAITY MACLEOD; JEFFREY E. HOLDER; CAITY MACLEOD

For athe quarter of avisual century, who is “nicer” to me that day. rewardingwith partInLiquid? of your nonprofit arts experience InLiquid (inliquid.org).

I jokingly reply it depends on What has been the most organization has arts connected What inspired How you seen InLiquid We get to work with art and youhave to start the nonprofit visual experience with InLiquid?

For a quarter of a century,InLiquid 25 years whoago? is “nicer” to me that day. rewarding part of your artists, curators, patrons and impact Philly’s art scene and artists and create opportunities organization has connected have you seen InLiquid Weexperience get to work with art and the nonprofit visual arts I wantedHow with InLiquid? to make a change the curators, public while serving as aso Philadelphia-based the careers of local artists? for people.

It’s about creating artists, patrons and impact Philly’s art scene and artists and create opportunities artists organization has connected How have you seen InLiquid We get to work with art and free educational resource. have graduate possibilities andabout opportunities wouldn’tthe feelWe that leavingwatched home the public while serving as a With careers of localartists artists? forartists people. creating artists, curators, patrons and impact Philly’s art scene and andIt’screate opportunities and movingwith to NYatoBFA compete the anniversary benefit looming or MFA exhibit for artists to tell their stories free educational resource.

With We have watched artists graduate possibilities and opportunities of people the public while serving aswith a thousandsthe careers of local artists? for people. It’s about creating (March 9-23), Zimmerman was We the only option the anniversary benefit loomingworldwide a BFA orwatched MFA exhibit artists to tell stories free educational resource.

With with have artists graduate forpossibilities andtheir opportunities offers a glimpse into InLiquid’s for success. Creating InLiquid (March 9-23), Zimmerman the anniversary benefit looming with a BFA or MFA exhibit for artists to tell their stories success and what’s to come. was about creating a collaborative offers a(March glimpse intoZimmerman InLiquid’sstructure that could help connect 9-23), artists to artists, galleries to artists success and awhat’s to into come. offers glimpse InLiquid’s What inspired you to start

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT, PHOTOS BY: CAITY MACLEOD; JEFFREY E. HOLDER; CAITY MACLEOD CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT, PHOTOS BY: CAITY MACLEOD; JEFFREY E. HOLDER; CAITY MACLEOD

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT, PHOTOS BY: CAITY MACLEOD; JEFFREY E. HOLDER; CAITY MACLEOD

INLIQUID REFLECTS THEIR SILVERJUBILEE. JUBILEE.BY BYMADISON MADISON DUDDY INLIQUID REFLECTS ONON THEIR SILVER DUDDY the concept of a virtual gallery 25 years?

and collectors to artists.

success 25 andyears what’s to come.

InLiquid ago?

What inspired you to start I wanted to make a change youartists to start InLiquid 25inspired years ago? soWhat Philadelphia-based InLiquid 25 years ago?

I wanted to make a change wouldn’t feel that leaving home I wanted so Philadelphia-based and movingtotomake NYartists toa change compete so Philadelphia-based artists wouldn’t that leaving home with feel thousands of people wouldn’t feel that leaving home worldwide only option and moving to was NY the to compete and moving to NY to compete success. Creating with for thousands of peopleInLiquid with thousands ofa collaborative people was about worldwide wascreating the only option worldwide was thehelp onlyconnect option structure that could for success. Creating InLiquid for success.

Creating InLiquid artists to artists, galleries to artists was about creating a collaborative was about creating a collaborative and collectors to artists. structure that could help connect structure that could help connect artists to artists, galleries to artists artists to artists, galleries to artists and collectors to artists. and collectors to artists.

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and connecting them to an audience that appreciates them, which is gratifying.

What do you hope for the future of InLiquid?

Sustainability and to stay and connecting them to an relevant…

I think a lot of work andto connecting them them, to an is still be that done, and it’s time audience appreciates toaudience grow a more sustainable art that appreciates them, which is gratifying. ecology Philadelphia. I them want to an andinconnecting which is gratifying.

InLiquid to be a leading voice in audience that appreciates them, that process and be knownfor as athe What do you hope which is gratifying. valuable resource for artists and What you hopearts. for the future of do InLiquid? those interested in the visual

Sustainability and to stay future of InLiquid?

What do have you hope for the Does InLiquid relevant…

I thinkanything a lotto ofstay work Sustainability and future new comingof up?InLiquid? isAsstill to beintodone, andweit’s time relevant…

I think a lot we head 25 years, Sustainability and to stayof work tohave grow a to more sustainable art time an ambitious isrelevant… still beIgallery done, and it’s of work schedule planned forthink our a lot ecology in Philadelphia.

I want to grow more sustainable art namesake InLiquid Gallery.

In it’s time is still toabe done, and InLiquid to be a leading voice in March and April, we will present ecology Philadelphia.

I want to grow in a more sustainable art that bea twoknown as a Dolls,process Idols, andand Ideals, InLiquid to be a leading voice in ecology in Philadelphia.

I want person show featuringfor Kimberly valuable resource artists and Camp and Emilio that process anda leading be known asin a InLiquid toMaldonado, be voice those interested in the visual arts. who speak to what being that process and Black beforknown a valuable resource artistsasand in America means here and now. valuable resource for artists and those interested in the visual arts.

Does InLiquid have anything interested newthose coming up? in the visual arts.

InLiquid have we anything As Does we head into 25 years, Does InLiquid have anything new have an coming ambitiousup? gallery new up?

As wecoming head into schedule planned for25 ouryears, we As weanhead into Gallery.

25gallery years,Inwe namesake InLiquid have ambitious have an ambitious gallery March and April, we will present schedule planned for our schedule planned our Dolls, Idols, and Ideals,for a Gallery. twonamesake InLiquid In namesake InLiquidKimberly Gallery. In person show featuring March and April, we will present March and April, we will present Camp andIdols, Emilio Dolls, andMaldonado, Ideals, a twoDolls, Idols, and Ideals, a twowho speakshow to what being Black person featuring Kimberly person show featuring Kimberly in America means here and now.

Camp and Emilio Maldonado, Camp and Emilio Maldonado, who what being beingBlack Black who speak speak to to what in America means here and now. in America means here and now.

Rachel Zimmerman, founder of the artist support organization InLiquid, had a similar idea: a future department of arts and culture would be uniquely positioned to connect developers who need art on their walls with artists.

“Look at all the development in the city,” she said. “These buildings should be connected with arts organizations and galleries to put art in those spaces. Not just canvas wrap prints or a mural, there are other things that could be done.

We’re not connected. Half of these developers don’t even know that we, as arts organizations, exist.”

Zimmerman was speaking while sitting in InLiquid’s current exhibition at Park Towne Place apartments. Three of its four residential towers along the Parkway have art galleries on the ground floor, accessible to the public. InLiquid curates those spaces with themed exhibitions across all buildings. Currently they are showing “Material Time,” featuring five artists whose work is oriented around environmental concerns.

What the Philadelphia arts sector needs from City Hall is to be a connector, said Zimmerman, who used to sit on the board of the Philadelphia Cultural Fund and currently is on the board of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance.

“We’re all our own little silos, disconnected, floating in the universe of Philadelphia art,” she said. “We’re all competing over the same resources. We don’t collaborate enough. We should all be much more strategic.”