Spruce Hill: Local Artists Engage West Philadelphia Communities

The Philadelphia Open Studio Tours offered people a chance to check out local art studios and meet the artists.

https://vimeo.com/78726039]

The stereotypical starving artist is usually a common fixture in large cities but local art is alive and well in West Philadelphia.

In October, the Center for Emerging Visual Artists hosted the annual Philadelphia Open Studio Tours, which allowed visitors to get an inside look at various art studios and meet some of the local artists.

The 40th Street Artist in Residence Program is one of the studios that opened its doors to the public during POST. Artists who displayed their work at the AIRSPACE included Brian Bazemore, Lucy Pistilli, Heidi Ratanavanich and Eileen Shumate.

AIRSPACE, founded by a painter named Edward Epstein, has been open and operating for about 10 years. The artists are usually granted a year to display their art in the studios at 40th and Chestnut Streets. Each year, artists are perpetually coming and going so they can share their work with different communities.

The tours were not limited to Spruce Hill, as art studios throughout West Philadelphia were welcomed visitors.

Genevieve Coutroubis, a documentary photographer and Director of the Regional Community Arts Program of CFEVA displayed art at her in-home studio in Garden Court. Two other artists, Talia Greene and James Dupree also had their artwork on display at Coutroubis’ studio.

Although POST only happens once per year, CFEVA sponsors exhibits and galleries in many parts of Philadelphia throughout the year.

(Left to right) Artists Heidi Ratanavanich and Eileen Shumate work with textiles and wood materials to craft their art. Danielle Gershkoff is a musician who plays at art exhibitions.
(Left to right) Artists Heidi Ratanavanich and Eileen Shumate work with textiles and wood materials to craft their art. Danielle Gershkoff is a musician who plays at art exhibitions.

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*