Philadelphia and the Countryside - Press Room

Explore the gophila.com Visitor Site

Releases: Expanded View

Mar 12 2009

Collecting Art In Philly Is Accessible And Fun

Art Schools, Galleries And Collaboratives Make The City An Ideal Place To Start A Collection

The Philadelphia region is quickly gaining a national reputation for being an ideal place to buy art of all kinds and in all price ranges. The New York Times Style Magazine once called Philly’s art scene “more accessible and certainly more fun” than that of New York and Los Angeles. And papermag.com agreed, saying “the Philadelphia art scene is booming.” The main reason? Schools, galleries and collectives in Philadelphia are widely considered friendly and inviting, welcoming even novice buyers to take the first steps toward establishing a lifelong love of art collecting. One event in particular creating plenty of buzz each year is the Annual Student Exhibition at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, taking place May 8-31, 2009.

Here’s where to start building an art collection in Philly:

Art Schools:

  • Philadelphia’s Moore College of Art & Design, the nation’s first and only women’s visual arts college, makes art affordable and accessible. Would-be collectors can find student and alumnae works on new searchable databases and virtual galleries. They can also pick up fine art, textiles, jewelry or photography for as little as $30 at the annual Alumnae Show (through May 30, 2009) or at the Senior Show (April 22-May 16, 2009). After May, people can stop by the CBS 3/The CW Philly 57 building for the year-round student and alumnae exhibition. Or they can drop into The Art Shop at Moore, devoted exclusively to selling works by students and alumnae, and learn the ins and outs of purchasing art from the staff. Moore College, Race Street between 19th & 20th Streets, (215) 965-8586; CBS 3/The CW Philly 57, 1555 Hamilton Street, moore.edu
  • It only happens once a year, but people in the art world talk about it months in advance: It’s the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts’ Annual Student Exhibition. As the culmination of their formal study, undergraduates and grad students at this highly respected institution display their finest work, making this show the ideal place to spot fresh young talent. The 108th annual show runs May 8-31, 2009, and collectors with an eye for talent can select from an outstanding array of paintings, sculptures and prints. Historic Landmark Building, 118 N. Broad Street; Samuel M. V. Hamilton Building, 128 N. Broad Street, (215) 972-7600, pafa.org
  • Located in the Philadelphia suburbs, The List Gallery at Swarthmore College displays works by both new and nationally known artists from September through April. The gallery also holds a senior thesis exhibition series each spring (April 23-May 11, 2009). From June 5-7, 2009, alumni artists participate in group exhibitions. And because many of these artists are still emerging, they’re usually a good bet for relatively inexpensive first purchases. 500 College Avenue, Swarthmore, (610) 328-8488, swarthmore.edu/humanities/art

Private Galleries:

  • The Bridgette Mayer Gallery, a Washington Square jewel with a second location in New Hope, is notable among the city’s established galleries for its emphasis on displaying works by emerging artists and working with novice buyers. This eponymously named art space was lauded by The New York Times Magazine as “One of the Top Gallery Destinations in Philadelphia” for its keen selection of abstract art. Mayer loves explaining everything a green purchaser needs to know about art and its market value. 709 Walnut Street, (215) 413-8893; 3 W. Bridge Street, New Hope, (215) 862-3067, mayerartconsultants.com
  • Nestled in the charming town that gave birth to the Pennsylvania Impressionist art movement known as the New Hope School, the husband-and-wife owners of the Gratz Gallery and Conservation Studio enjoy helping young collectors navigate their way through the initial phases of art investment. Although Gratz specializes primarily in investment art, a stop to this two-story historic mansion often results in a thorough and valuable education in smart-versus-risky art buying. 30 W. Bridge Street, New Hope, (215) 862-4300, gratzgallery.com
  • Part-gallery, part-art consignment shop, Bambi is a Fishtown treasure trove that’s decorated with deer memorabilia and devoted to showing affordable art, fashion and objects by local and international artists. 1817 Frankford Avenue, (215) 423-2668, bambiproject.com
  • Northern Liberties boutique Art Star has built its name on its cheerful, witty exhibitions of limited-edition art and handmade items, including jewelry, ceramics, clothes and prints. Once a year, the owners host the two-day Art Star Craft Bazaar—this year it takes place May 30-31, 2009—which features inexpensive works from artists and craftspeople around the country. 1030 N. 2nd Street, (215) 238-1557, artstarphilly.com

Collectives:

  • The F.U.E.L. Collection—that’s short for “Fostering Undergraduate Exposure on Location”—provides all kinds of career assistance to artists who, without these services, might not thrive in the competitive art world. This means would-be collectors can find many one-of-a-kind, affordable works by emerging artists. What isn’t in the gallery can be found in the new gift shop where crafts, small prints, jewelry, sculptures and other items by new and established artists go for as little as $6. 249 Arch Street, (215) 592-8400, fuelcollection.com
  • Another mandatory stop along the road to collecting funky, inexpensive art is Vox Populi, a collective of emerging artists who work in contemporary styles. Vox Populi is staffed by member artists and doesn’t take a commission, so collectors can buy art wholesale. While an interested buyer will most likely be asked to contact the artist directly, the collective’s director calls it “a great place to get your feet wet” because of the wide range of free, informal monthly lectures that teach the ins and outs of contemporary art. 319 N. 11th Street, 3rd floor, (215) 238-1236, voxpopuligallery.org
  • Although the 11-year-old Space 1026 is technically a gallery, it’s an extremely modern variation of one, with an unmistakable Philly twist. It’s possible to find some traditional paintings here, but a visitor is just as likely to fall in love with a funky T-shirt, poster, book or “something you’ve had to go to [art] grad school to even want to look at,” according to co-founder Andrew Jeffrey Wright. Prices are based on the artists’ labor costs so it’s easy to pick up the next great thing for less than $500. With most items going for less than $50, the newly opened gift shop features budget-friendly clothing, limited-edition screen prints, books, indie music and other works by member artists. 1026 Arch Street, 2nd floor, (215) 574-7630, space1026.com

The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) makes Philadelphia and The Countryside® a premier destination through marketing and image building that increases business and promotes the region’s vitality.

For more information about travel to Philadelphia, visit gophila.com or uwishunu.com, where you can build itineraries; search event calendars; see photos and videos; view interactive maps; sign up for newsletters; listen to HearPhilly, an online radio station about what to see and do in the region; book hotel reservations and more. Or, call the Independence Visitor Center, located in Historic Philadelphia, at (800) 537-7676.

Contact(s):
  • Bookmark
  • E-mail

Attached Media

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, founded in 1805 in Philadelphia, is the nation’s oldest art museum and school. Housed in a landmark Gothic Victorian building designed by Frank Furness and George W. Hewitt, the museum offers one of the world’s finest collections of American painting and sculpture....

Credit: Photo by B. Krist for GPTMC

Tags: Architecture, Arts & Culture, Museums & Attractions

Art Star

Art Star

This gallery and boutique in Northern Liberties exhibits and sells handmade work and limited-edition products by emerging artists from all over the world. The boutique carries everything from handmade clothing, jewelry and accessories to dolls, ceramics and prints....

Credit: Photo by M. Kennedy for GPTMC

Tags: Shopping

First Friday, The F.U.E.L. Collection

First Friday, The F.U.E.L. Collection

Every first Friday of the month, people flock to Old City to view the edgy and imaginative works at The F.U.E.L. Collection and other art galleries, all of which open their doors to the crowds. After strolling the streets and getting their culture fill, residents and visitors file into their...

Credit: Photo by J. Smith for GPTMC

Tags: Arts & Culture, Events