News
Fellow muralist Meg Saligman saw an equally major premiere recently with the April 22 opening of The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Homes, a Project HOME mixed-used development that showcases her art installations. Totaling four pieces, Meg’s made a 2-story exterior mural with an “illuminated light sculpture”; a multimedia work comprised of stained glass, a water feature, “intention cubbies” and a mosaic floor medallion in the lobby; and a printed glass storefront on the second floor. There’s a lot to take in, not surprising for a project helmed by this group of people!
Although it’s been delighting rail passengers since April 29, this Saturday, May 17, Katharina Grosse’s newest public artwork, “psychylustro,” gets its world premiere at Philadelphia’s rail gateway. Presented by the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program and Amtrak, and curated by Elizabeth Thomas, “psychylustro” is an intoxicating installation in seven phases, with each passage posing a challenge to passerby – how does your imagination work while on a train voyage? Psychylustro includes a tour via SEPTA’s Chestnut Hill West Line, departing from 30th Street Station at 12:24pm, followed by a reception immediately to follow at JG Domestic at the Cira Centre. While the event is free, it is popular, so register and RSVP as soon as possible to ensure you get a ticket; you can call either 215-685-0753 or email RSVP@muralarts.org to get in.
On Saturday, May 31 Temple Contemporary is holding their unusual variation on a traditional funeral, but don’t expect (too much) somberness. Funeral for a Home is a Mantua-based effort by Billy Dufala, Steven Dufala, and Jacob Hellman, who collaborated with the Mantua Civic Association, Mount Vernon Manor, Inc., the Mantua Community Improvement Committee, the H.U.B. Coalition, and Peoples’ Emergency Center CDC, and project manager Patrick Grossi to make it happen. As you can surmise, Funeral For a Home looks backward and forward in order to remind attendees of the social and economic costs of the nearly 600 home demolitions that take place in Philadelphia every year. Come for the music, celebration, food, and ritual, all of which are free, and all of which all begin at 11 AM Saturday May 31 at 3711 Melon Street.
3rd Street Gallery, in operation for nearly twenty years at its present Old City digs, is now facing the daunting challenge of relocation. Member Sarah Kaizar reports that they’re being forced to move due to rising rents; although they’re picking up a lease at a new location beginning June 1, we all unfortunately know what it’s like to lose a creative home base. Read more about their efforts above.
The Barefoot Artist is having a special screening at The Kimmel Center on Thursday, May 15 at The Perelman Theater! Tickets are free, but reservations are required.
The Village of the Arts and Humanities just made the announcements for its artists in residence for SPACES’ 2014 Inaugural Cycle: King Britt, Amber Arts Collective, and Mark Strandquist/Courtney Bowles. Congratulations to all!
via Roman Blazic – An inflatable art contest: yes, this has the distinct flavor of Port Richmond to it. The Philly Puff, which made its debut at this year’s Lehigh Avenue Arts Festival, is the first of its kind, although it joins the storied ranks of the Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby in terms of wackiness. Roman’s blog contains some fittingly funny coverage of the event and its creations.
Opportunities
The Crane Arts Building is opening its doors up to June with Art for the Cash Poor 15., the annual rite of block-partying and art-selling that regularly fills the neighborhood with visitors. On Saturday, June 14 and Sunday, June 15, from noon – 6 pm, rain or shine, they’ll need volunteers of all stripes to help run this thing. The way InLiquid puts it, every option is a winner – your shift may include “..hanging in the VIP room with bands, lording it as master (or maiden) of the beer tent, snagging event photos to be published on the site, being the art fan that makes art happen.” To apply, please select available shifts using the form on the Volunteer Page. There is an additional ticketed preview on Friday, June 13, 5:30 – 9 pm.
The 40th Street Artist-in-Residence Program (AIR) is now seeking applicants for the next year. West Philadelphia visual artists take up one year of free studio space at 40th and Chestnut Streets, and, in exchange, gives back to the community as a teacher, lecturer, local exhibitor and many other roles that benefit the surrounding area. If this interests you, act fast; the deadline is More information at http://40streetair.blogspot.com/2014/05/call-for-applications.html. Residency Opportunity, deadline May 19.
Artist News
Albright College’s Freedman Gallery is readying a presentation of some great names, including Carol Anne Connolly, Wendy DesChene and Jeff Schmuki, Angie Duignan, Matthew Garrison, Lori Hepner, Shelagh Honan, Allison Kaufman, Róisín Loughrey, Wil Lindsay, and Sinead McDonald. Mediated Realities, curated by Amy Stevens and Angie Duignan, is on view from May 24 to June 29.
Peter Shear, included in a FJORD show last year, has a forthcoming show this month. Casting, Big Medium opens at Bolm, Austin, TX.
Caitlin McCormack, who finished the above beauty in March, is contributing to Desiderata, which opens at Gristle Tattoo in Brooklyn this month. Included in this same show (a benefit for endangered species) is Philly favorite Paul Romano and Cory Benhatzel. From May 25-June 1, you can get a wolf tattoo from a set of flash (to be posted soon). On June 1’s reception from 6-7PM, you can meet Atka, a wolf who is also the ambassador for the WCC. The auction then runs from 6-10PM, with guests bidding on art donated by artists from all over the country, and, if you’re a bit morbid, on bones picked clean by the WCC wolves. If you are an artist and would like to donate a piece of your artwork to the event, please email info@gristletattoo.com. 100% of all funds raised are donated to WCC.
