The Rooster display sure was different. This gallery can usually be hit or miss (as is the case…read morewith all of them). But I'm generally intrigued by it's selection. It always has artists who manage to add an interesting theme into their work. Aside from the roosters, some of the other displays I have seen here have included one that incorporated wrenches and other tools into it's artwork, and another that placed nature scenes into locations that were very un-nature like.

Small, bare-bones gallery that's run by a cooperative, so you never know what you might see on the…read morewalls here. I stopped in recently to see Steve Messenger's show, and was quite impressed by the detail and personality in his portraits, especially since his subjects express themselves through the smallest shift of the eye or flick of the ear. The coop members who "gallery sit" are welcoming and helpful, and beyond that, there's not a whole lot to say - this is a simple space that lets the art speak for itself.

Now that a friend has an incredible art display up throughout this month, it feels like a good…read moreopportunity to review an eclectic art gallery that does a great job of curating a blend of local and international artists throughout the year. For the past 30+ years the owner of PII has held true to their Eastern European roots and American contemporary art connections to bring in an eclectic amount of artists who deal with textile design, printmaking, painting, sculpture, photography, and then some. And that Philly and foreign artist connection is exactly why PII stands for the Philadelphia International Institute. As a result one month you might come across textiles and sculptures from a Ukrainian artist, and on another you might find a noteworthy show from a renowned Philly artist like Natalie Hope McDonald (https://www.instagram.com/p/DPKTxVlkSnU/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==). No matter what your guaranteed to find an eclectic selection of artists! March features an Decipher (https://www.instagram.com/p/DUnzHikjqjm/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==), a solo show from Philly pop artist, Alloyius Mcilwaine (https://www.instagram.com/culturesclothing/), who is known for his bold compositions, layered geometry, and street-influenced aesthetic, Mcilwaine introduces audiences to "Kudoglyphs" --a symbolic system of positive affirmations expressed through abstract forms. You might have seen him live paint during Wu-Tang Clan's final Philly performance, design a game day poster for the Philadelphia Eagles, or design art for Tyler the Creator; and that was just last year. So if your looking to see some vibrant pop art popping in during their regular hours is a must!

I really enjoy PII Gallery. It's a tasteful space and one I try to stop by when doing Philly First…read moreFridays. Every gallery tends to have its own style and the artists they choose to showcase usually follow that vibe. This one leans toward pop art as well, but in a more modern direction. The current exhibit had a lot of influences from the 2010s and early 2020s. Think bold lines, playful shapes, layered graphics, and pieces that feel almost like they could jump off the wall. There were definitely some doodle inspired works too, very reminiscent of artists like Mr Doodle. Lots of movement, packed compositions, and that fun chaotic energy where the whole canvas is filled with characters, patterns, and little details. Overall just a really fun gallery to walk through. Cleanly curated, visually engaging, and a nice contrast to some of the more traditional gallery spaces nearby.

I have personally visited and acquired art from this gallery…read more But, don't let the gallery name, Works on Paper, deceive you in to thinking that this venue offers only drawings and prints. The gallery also has a diverse inventory of original paintings and sculptural objects. And, there is no reason to travel to Chelsea, NY as the gallery specializes in emerging and contemporary art in a spectrum of both media and artistic styles. The space is conveniently located in the heart of Philadelphia at Rittenhouse Square amid the bustle of Walnut Street, directly above American Apparel. The gallery space is large and open with natural light and a constantly changing exhibition of contemporary masters (Andy Warhol, Richard Serra, Chuck Close, Richard Diebenkorn, James Rosenquist, Jasper Johns, Sean Scully and Sol Lewitt, et al) and contemporary artists whose name and history should be more household but is more broadly museum-based (e.g., Toby Kahn). According to the the gallery owner, Works on Paper publishes, distributes and trades important Print editions and is also vested in developing the next generation of important artists ranging from abstract to street-based to post modern landscapes to architectural interiors, all in a variety of media. The gallerist, Evan Slepian, is ideally suited for his profession - he is immediately likeable, recognizably passionate, intellectually knowledgeable and connected to the American and European art community. Mr. Slepian is conversant on the subject of his art and artists without being condescending and his pricing is comparatively reasonable with fine and collectible art ranging from offerings of a few hundred dollars to a million plus. This top floor gallery is a top notch space with inventory worth exploring like any great public, private or museum collection. Keep your eyes open when visiting, it's easy to be overwhelmed and miss an exotic desktop object or small canvas casually placed as if in your private home. Highest of recommendations.

This is such a great gallery!…read more It's in a prime location in Rittenhouse Square, right next to the Apple Store and above American Apparel. It's easy to miss it as it's on the top floor, but once you find it, you'll be happy you did. Lots of interesting artwork there, and displayed very well. Even the restrooms are adorned with some gems - including a few Shepard Fairey pieces you can't help but love.

Ugh! I thought that I've already been to the worst gallery that First Friday has to offer…read more(http://www.yelp.com/biz/larry-becker-contemporary-art-philadelphia#hrid:dyhw4pVDk3wufuaulP6heg). But Gallery Joe is absolutely horrendous! I've been here before way back when, but I totally forgot about it because it keeps it's doors closed, or closes early during so many First Friday's. And after revisiting it on on Friday I either wish it would figure out how to step up it's game, or stay that way. Since it's rarely open I thought I was going to be walking into a treat. Instead I came across pencil drawings on white paper that were so beyond plain that they were a joke. Some had squiggly lines that were sort of made to look likes water, while others where a total scribble fest. And some of them even looked like they were made with a Spirograph. Spirograph? SPIROGRAPH! because of how average the art was I thought that it was at least going to be somewhat inexpensive. How much did these Spirograhic scribble fests end up costing? $800-900! What the shit? $900 for something that my cousin's baby daughter could do? Fail! I was so stumped that I thought that it had to be a joke for the month, so I went to check out it's archival room. Inside the Archival room were pieces of paper that where fully shaded in with charcoal. The majority had darker charcoal X's shaded in over grey squares. To the artists credit if I did something like that I probably would have ended up slicing a hole through the paper. But it was still a big pile of crap. lesson learned. on the next tour consider this place skipped.

I'm not sure what the last reviewer is talking about. This was my favorite gallery waaaay back when…read moreI was in grad school in Philly (2001 - 2003) because I was nearly always inspired by what I saw there, month after month. I went back to visit a year ago (I live on the other side of the country now) and was so pleased to find it just as I remembered. The two artists showing at the time (Allyson Strafella and another whose name I can't recall) were both amazing.

Cool space to see this year's Sundance Shorts Series. Nice staff and fair pricing for tickets. I…read morehope to come back for a show or screening soon!

This is a unique and evergreen venue that adapts to whatever artist / act / DJ / event is…read moreexhibiting within its walls. Such a gem right off the Spring Garden stop, I attended a fantastic mixed poetry reading and open mic night back in October. They have two levels and there's bathrooms at the back and a couple of different ways to set up seats. The stage itself is the perfect size for a DJ setup or smaller show. I look forward to the next time I get to go back and support this eclectic spot - an obvious haven for artists and the entire scene here in Philly. Stay up to date via their Instagram and website - in all likelihood this spot will have something eye catching programed on any given week. Get there and support this institution and Philly artists!

Normally I'm a big huge supporter of original art and all that it has to offer. But this is just a…read moreplace that I can't take seriously. You know how John Malkovich played the jaded art teacher who painted nothing but triangles in Art School Confidential? This would be that in art gallery form. All this gallery ever has on display is different canvases (canvas,wood,etc.) that are painted in a combination of colored blocks. A bright summer color on one side meets a dark night color on the other. Or sometimes it's just a piece that's one color and nothing more. and the entire art display is themed that way, so you can go by every piece rather quickly without putting much thought into what the art might be about. and somehow these pieces of art (?) manage to sell for well over $500. At least the the people who work there are friendly. So at the very least it's an amusing stop to make during First Friday.

If you like Contemporary Art this is the gallery for you. They really stick to the style and don't…read moreventure far from it. It's not my cup of tea because I typically think that contemporary artists are trying too hard to be different and end up being exactly the same as every other contemporary artists. The space is nice. I stop by when I walk by in hopes of finding an artist that grabs me. It hasn't happened yet, but like I said, its my style of choice.

I come here all the time for First Fridays and it's honestly one of my favorite small museums in…read morePhiladelphia. The fact that it's generally free makes it even better. What I really appreciate is how often they rotate the exhibits on the first floor. It gives you a reason to keep coming back because there's usually something new to see. The second floor houses the permanent collection, which is thoughtfully curated and showcases just how creative artists can be when working with wood and natural materials. The pieces range from traditional woodworking to contemporary art that really pushes the boundaries of what you expect from the medium. Some are incredibly intricate, others are playful, and some are just plain impressive. It always makes me stop and look a little longer than I planned. The gift shop is also dangerous for my wallet. It's filled with beautiful handcrafted wood pieces, jewelry, home goods, and small art objects that feel more like gallery pieces than souvenirs. Every time I walk through, I find something I want to take home. If money were no object, I'd probably buy half the store. The staff are consistently friendly and welcoming too, which adds to the experience and makes the space feel approachable. It's definitely a niche museum, but that's exactly what makes it special. There aren't many places dedicated to this kind of art, and it's fascinating to see how artists transform wood, fiber, and other natural materials into something completely unexpected. Always a fun visit and one of those hidden gems I find myself coming back to again and again.

The Museum for Art in Wood in Old City is a fun little museum. It's free to visit (although they…read moresuggest a $5 donation), so it's great short stop if you're in the area. It is - as the name suggests - a museum dedicated to art made from wood. There are bowls and vases and sculptures and trinkets and furniture and more. Some of the pieces are beautiful. Some of the pieces made me laugh or smile. And they have a great shop. But since the museum is small and free, I'd suggest popping into the museum, not just the shop. A quirky little art museum, worth fitting into your Old City itinerary if you need a break from revolutionary history, early American history, and the Constitution!

One of Philly's many hidden gems!…read more After googling events happening this weekend I saw an exhibit for Rashaad Newsome - "To Be Real" was on display at the Philadelphia Photo Arts Center... I'm always looking for something new, interesting and mentally stimulating so decided to check it out and was impressed. Let me start by saying this space is beautiful! My niece and I were greeted upon entering and were given a brief overview of the exhibit. The exhibit itself was rich in color and concept and very unique. There was no admission to see the exhibit but donations are welcome (tip: DONATE!) - donation is not mandatory but I'm a firm believer that arts and culture help expand and enrich our experiences and are also great for conversation. In addition to seeing the feature exhibit, there was a hallway with more art, which lead to another space with another exhibit "Fluid Women" (I think) was the name; this exhibit was captivating also. I had a wonderful experience visiting PPAC and will definitely return! I also recommend if you have an interest in visual arts and are looking for something unique. The space was quiet and it is not large but has a lot to offer.

This place is excellent. I'm an amateur photographer and I have come here for multiple workshops…read morebecause the education, the teachers, and the facilities are excellent. In terms of those workshops you can find them for about $30 on Groupon or LivingSocial and the classes are intimate enough with about seven people or less that you really can get the individual attention that really makes for an excellent experience. In fact you will get that personal attention because the teacher incorporates each student and politely requests that they offer their work for light critique. There are opportunities in every class for you to go outside and practice what you just learned by shooting on the surrounding streets. My only criticism regarding the workshops is that they are not as frequent as I would like as my weekend work schedule conflicts often times with their classes. This next section is about the print center and I've had nothing but a phenomenal experience there. I was completely new to Printing and Keith the master printer who runs the lab made an appointment and sat with me for about an hour to basically guide me through the entire process, give his suggestions, and work Photoshop to get the photos exactly as I want them. He has a profound amount of experience that he draws from and is completely understanding that I am a brand new printer. He even gave me recommendations for where to get my photos framed and was just a brilliant lead in the entire process of printing my photographs. I'll definitely come back and I will recommend it to you because they do have excellent facilities, friendly workers, and a wealth of experience. The actual building itself is quite large and I believe it's shared with some other organizations. Philadelphia photo Arts Center does have a classroom or two and a nice gallery to present whatever work they choose. Getting here is very convenient as I take the subway from Center City and walk about 10 minutes. If you were to drive there's plenty of parking and it does not seem packed the numerous times I've been there.