NEWS
Leadership Change 1 – Changes at Cultureworks!
Artblog has an office at the great co-working space/arts non-profit support services provider, CultureWorks. We’ve been here for a few years now and it’s a friendly place with a water cooler ambiance (and a water cooler). Plus, our membership in the co-working space has resulted in some happy collaborations with Hidden City, which we are happy about. You will find us “in” most weekdays between 10 and 4, unless we’re out looking at art or having a meeting. We are very happy with the announcement we got the other day about the leadership change at CultureWorks and delighted for Liz, and for Thaddeus in his new role. See below for details.
CultureWorks Greater Philadelphia is proud to announce the appointment of Liz Sytsma as the Chief Commons Director. Liz will provide leadership to the CultureWorks staff – while advancing the organization’s mission and vision to the community-at-large.
“My role has always been that of caretaker — nurturing the wellbeing of our organization and staff so that we can in turn help our members flourish. I’m humbled by the opportunity to work alongside a team of the most thoughtful, bold, and kind leaders that are the CultureWorks staff, board, and members.”
Sytsma joined CultureWorks soon after its founding seven years ago and has most recently worked as its Associate Director under its Founder and Managing Director, Thaddeus Squire.
“I’m thrilled to hand over leadership of the Philadelphia office of CultureWorks to Liz, who has been an invaluable partner in the development of CultureWorks from its beginning. I have tremendous faith in her leadership and that of the terrific team in Philadelphia to keep our community growing and flourishing.”
Squire will now serve as the Chief Commons Officer for newly formed, CultureWorks Commons Management, the national service organization for our network of local CultureWorks’, which currently includes the original location in Philadelphia and the newly formed CultureWorks Greater Houston. More details will be announced in early 2018.
Sytsma has been working with cultural organizations and artists for over 10 years. She approaches her work with optimism and empathy – meeting people where they are and always believing that there is a way forward.
She started her career on Madison Avenue in advertising and public relations after graduating from Bucknell University with a dual undergraduate degree in Fine Art and Business Management. She earned an MBA from the Johnson School at Cornell University.
Leadership Change 2 – Nato Thompson joins Philadelphia Contemporary as Artistic Director
Philadelphia Contemporary, which has created a program of performances, events, and exhibitions in pop up locations, is moving forward with Nato Thompson as Artistic Director. Thompson, previously Artistic Director at Creative Time, has deep understanding of and experience with contemporary art, and he also knows what’s going on in Philadelphia and will have great ideas for programs, exhibits and projects here. Read more at the NY Times article and see the PCAH website for a Q+A with Thompson, done in 2012.
Congratulations to Ann Northrup for her new mural, “Artistic Longevity!”
Dedicated recently at the Pennsylvania Asian Multi Services Center (PSSI) in North Philadelphia, the mural celebrates the elders of the Asian community. Ann, who is a friend and Artblog supporter, is pictured with her mom, Margaret, age 94, who is an artist and worked on the mural along with her daughter. Also in the photo is Ed Gruberg, Ann’s husband. See the Korean language local, Epoch Times for more information and a couple more great pictures.
Artblog News
We frequently run into our friend, Stephen Perloff, Editor of The Photo Review, the widely-respected journal of review and criticism, at art openings and events. Stephen was at the recent Philadelphia Assembled opening at the PMA Perelman Building and he snapped this photo of “Artbloggers At Work.” Thank you, Stephen!
The Photo Review is hosting its annual benefit auction this weekend. Below is an image by August Sander, which is available to bid on, along with works by many historic and contemporary photographers of note.
The auction takes place Sat. Oct. 28, 7 PM, at University of the Arts, Caplan Studio Theater, 16th Floor, Terra Hall, 211 S. Broad St. Philadelphia PA 19107. The auction is free with the purchase of the fully illustrated catalog, available through the Photo Review. Preview the live and silent auction online – it’s amazing!
1931/1980, silver print, 106/400, Aperture edition in embossed binder, stamped, titled, and numbered and signed by the printer, Gunther Sander, son of August Sander, recto. Image size: 9.375″x7.125″, sheet size: 9.75″x7.375″ ($1,500–$2,500)
