Art In Bars

Ya’ll know I’m simply fascinated by the Philadelphia artist collective scene. I think it’s a local organic solution to a systemic national problem plaguing cities/markets/etc. but I’m not sure it’s a thus far successful alternative to the gallery system. More on that later. One thing you can certainly say about collectives is that they have embraced the new social media/web2.0/whatever paradigm and are running with it. It is much easier to be an outsider and find out about interesting art happenings, which is sort of the point; to break down the perceived exclusionary / elitist label that always gets lobbed at these groups. You can be in the know. You are invited to check it out. That bit of rambling was my way of saying, hey, look at all these artists happening about to happen. You should happen to show up.

• This is the Only Place that Can Save My Heart at Little Berlin, 119 West Montgomery Philadelphia PA, 19122, Friday, January 8th from 6 to 10 P.M.

Each artist has a different perception of the power and definition of home. This place, or people, or feeling has an impact on the work that the artists make. Some of the artists address the issue of home directly, while some use the people, places, and things they think of as home as spring boards for their art making. Nostalgia, memory, historical context, and architecture as icon are just a few of the ideas that are examined in this exhibition. Curated by Alex Gartelmann, the exhibition features work by Masha Badinter, Mark Campbell, Michael Grothusen, James Johnson & Leah Bailis, Jenny Kanzler, Hope Rovelto, Mark Shetabi, and Shelley Spector.

• Baltidelphia at My House Gallery, 2534 South 8th Street Philadelphia, PA 19148, going on Saturday, January 9th from 6-10 PM.

My House Gallery, in conjunction with the Hexagon presents:¬†Baltidelphia, an experimental collaboration curated by Phuong Pham (the Hexagon) and Alex Gartelmann (My House). The¬†Baltidelphia exhibition features 22 Baltimore artists paired with 22 Philadelphia artists who were asked to collaborate/correspond through whatever means they chose–facebook, text message, twitter, carrier pigeon, postal mail, sky-writing, etc. Baltidelphia will be exhibited in both Baltimore and Philadelphia, with selections of the projects being displayed in each spaces. The Hexagon will have a soft opening on Saturday, January 9th, as some participating Baltimore artists will be traveling to My House Gallery for a joint opening reception. Philadelphia artists will travel to Baltimore, Saturday, February 6th for the closing.

Participating artists (Bmore & Philly): Kathy Beachler & Martha Savery, Emily Claire Dierkes & Jim Grilli, Miguel Sabogal &  Bryan Patrick Rice, Jon Bevers & Damian Weinkrantz, Kathleen Mazurek & Daniel Potterton, Sarah Magida & Kristen Neville, Mike Riley & Tim Pannell, Jared Fischer & Tyler Kline, Freda Mohr & Andrew Brehm, Heather Von Marko & Hannah Heffner, Julie Pahr & Fernando Ramos, Andrew Geddes & Daniel Petraitis, Na Kim & Mike Ryan, Jennifer Mullins & Leah Mackin, Ric Royer & Beth Heinly, Robert Brulinski &  Piper Brett, Magnolia Laurie & Nike Desis, Megan Lavelle & Jen Gin, Sean Scheidt & Masha Badinter, Monique Crab & Hope Rovelto, Phuong Pham & Alex Gartelmann

Oh, and while you’re at it; get on the book of faces and “friend” artists or become “fans” of theirs – that way you’ll always know what’s happening and when.