Crates on the ceiling...

 Things are rolling along at the Philadelphia Sculpture Gym. As per any construction project, things are taking longer than expected but we've been keeping ourselves quite busy regardless. One of the things we've been working on is the ceiling of the Member Lounge. Originally the whole thing was covered in this awful paneling and we knew we wanted to keep the structure but overhaul the look. So we stripped it down and Justin had the idea to cover it, inside and out, in pieces of art shipping crates...we're reusing items that were destined to be trashed and it looks pretty awesome. Justin and Gus started the project off, hanging some of the bigger crates. This weekend Brynn, Gus and I got in there and started on some of the smaller sections. Everything had to be looked at, with us deciding which was the best part of the crate to save (hey, we're artists!) and then measuring and cutting the piece to fit. Gus and I finished it up Monday evening and I think it looks awesome. We'll be bringing the crates down the walls too, but there will be some windows going in to keep the space bright and open.

Weekend Recap

Wow...what a crazy weekend that was, packed from start to finish. Friday night we started off at Indy Hall for the In Progress show, celebrating their expansion into the first floor of 20 N. 3rd Street. The show was great and the space was packed!

 

Here are my snake and rabbit sculptures on either end of the table, with Terri's deer in the middle.

Justin and Gus's work.

 

Olivia was umbrella obsessed and had a whole bunch of admirers on our way from the car to Space 1026.

 

Jake Henry's show, It's a trap!, at Space 1026 was really fabulous. It was a mix of wood and metal sculpture, both free standing and some wall mounted pieces, and paintings, which all worked beautifully together. I especially liked the giant trap at the far end of the room, although I kept being afraid of Olivia getting into it (which she tried!)

 

Welded teeth

And I loved this little welded bear trap...

After the openings, Jenny and I went to the Crane Building to set up for the 2012 Philadelphia Truck Expo. We were given a pickup truck to use and everyone had to create something in it, around it, on it, etc... It was Jenny's great idea to do a natural history museum type display of all the amazing things we found in our building while renovating...

Our truck full of fabulous specimens!

Detail.

The opening was really fun and all the trucks were really varied which I loved. Ryan and Tim did a great job pulling it all together. Thanks for having us!!!

Lastly, we got some great donations this weekend, including a fridge (Thanks Gus!) and kitchen set up for our member lounge (Thanks Joe!) and some wood carving and leather working tools (Thanks Victor!). And big thanks, as always, to the amazing people who come help make it happen, Jenifer, Brynn (aka the Zen master), Gus, and Jenny. We could not do it without you guys.

(Sidebar. Anyone wanting to remove paint from windows, make a paste of washing soda and spread it on. Let it sit for a while, keeping it moist. Then use a scraper and a wire brush to take it all off. We have these horrible textured glass windows that grabbed the paint like it was its job, and this worked to get the paint off, and is non-toxic (Take that Paint Stripper! Booyah!)!)

First Friday! PSG at Indy Hall

Hey guys! Sorry for the silence on the blog yesterday. Olivia and I were out picking up art and dropping it off for a show tonight at Independents Hall! Justin, Terri, Gus and I will all have some work in the show and the space is looking amazing. (Congrats guys!) They have expanded into the first floor of 20 N. 3rd Street and decided to celebrate by having a show of in-progress work! Come check it out. The opening starts at 6pm. For more info, look here.

Gustavo Actis

This Saturday! Charter Member Exhibition Opening Reception!

 Gallery during the Spodee Launch Party. 

Work by Gustavo Actis, Terri Aluise, Darla Jackson and Jennifer Welsh.

This Saturday is the opening reception for our Charter Member Exhibition! The opening will take place from 12-6pm, during the Trenton Avenue Arts Festival and the Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby!
Come see our space and the first show of work by our amazing Charter Members: Gustavo Actis, Terri Aluise, Joshua Parker Coombs, Justin Grant, Darla Jackson, Michael Konrad, Stephen Millner, Jedediah Morfit and Jennifer Welsh!

You'll also get a chance to take a tour of the space and ask any questions you might have! Looking forward to seeing everyone!

Come visit us during POST this weekend!

 

One last reminder that this weekend is Philadelphia Open Studio Tours East of Broad and Justin and I will have our studio open to the public on Saturday, October 15th and Sunday, October 16th from 12-6pm both days! 

Come on by to say hi and talk to us about our art and/or the Philadelphia Sculpture Gym! 

Our studio is currently located at 1513 N. Hancock Street in Fishtown. We're easily accessible by public trans, car, or even walking if you are in the area! We're not far from the Crane building and there are lots of other fabulous artists to check out in the area.

Hope to see you there!

 

 Here I am in the studio!

 

Here's an in progress piece of Justin's

 

And if that's not enough to get you here, we'll also have SNAP and cider and delicious food...

Woo hoo!

Image of Darla by Michael Persico, SNAP image from here

POST THIS WEEKEND! October 15-16 12p-6pm...Come visit us!

This weekend is Philadelphia Open Studio Tours East of Broad and Justin and I will have our studio open to the public on Saturday, October 15th and Sunday, October 16th from 12-6pm both days! Come on by, say hi, have some fancy drinks (Like SNAP and cider...my favorite!) and fancy food, talk to us about the Philadelphia Sculpture Gym, meet the famous Olivia! 

Our studio is currently located at 1513 N. Hancock Street in Fishtown. We're easily accessible by public trans, car, or even walking if you are in the area! We're not far from the Crane building and there are lots of other fabulous artists to check out in the area.

Hope to see you there!