Photo by Lori Lipton, courtesy of the Philadelphia Photo Arts Center site

Post by Erica Minutella, November 23, 2011

On October 28, the Philadelphia Photo Arts Center invited everyone to take a picture of anything they wished within the city limits as part of the second annual Philly Photo Day. Now the nearly 900 photos, on display through November 26, overflow from the walls of PPAC into the Nexus space just down the hall.

If Woody Allen films are also love letters to New York, then the photos currently at the Crane Building serve as Philadelphia’s equivalent. Like a near-death montage of city moments, the almost overwhelming flashes of places and people take you on a rapid-fire scavenger hunt through familiar and unfamiliar territory alike.

As distant relatives fly in to the city for Thanksgiving, the soon-to-close exhibition becomes particularly poignant. Touring through the inevitable cheese steak storefronts, unexpected perspectives on cultural landmarks placed on the eerie line between known and unknown, and even the occasional whimsical shots of squirrels and plastic skulls, reasserts the city as more than just home to 1.5 million people. Through the eyes of its inhabitants, Philadelphia is a living story, rewritten fresh every day.

The show closes November 26, so be sure to take a break between family festivities to reclaim a bit of urban magic.

Tags: philadelphia photo arts center, philly photo day
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Philly Blossoms: Series, 2010. Find work by InLiquid member Brooke Hine at the Art Star Holiday Craft Bazaar.

Post by Erica Minutella, November 14, 2011

It’s only about midway into November, and already the holiday pressure’s starting to build (because, unfortunately, not every department store shares the Nordstrom philosophy). It may even start to seem like Ebeneezer Scrooge had the right idea after all: no holiday means no bothering to come up with the perfect gift for every one.

Luckily, Philadelphians are spoiled, which means every one you know can potentially be spoiled, too. Take a tour through craft fairs and auctions being held throughout the season, and you just might have it easy this year.

Want to make your out-of-town relatives a little jealous? Then stop by the Philadelphia Photo Arts Center through November 26 and show off the city’s highlights with a reprint of the images from this year’s Philly Photo Day. With reprints selling for $25 each, it requires a wallet size only a little bigger than the Grinch’s heart.

Stop by AxD Gallery on Thursday, November 18 for the Paint it RIGHT art gallery and silent auction event. It’s a chance to pick up some gifts that count double in the good karma arena, since all proceeds will be donated to THE RIGHT Foundation’s HIV/AIDS program.

Forget about Black Friday. Use the day after Thanksgiving to sleep off all those built-up years of tryptophan in your system and get your shopping done the weekend before – at the first Art Star Holiday Craft Bazaar, featuring work by InLiquid members Brooke Hine and John Murphy.

If you’re still behind once December rolls around, release all the pent-up energy of procrastination by battling to bid in a series of auctions that benefit local arts spaces.

For some liquid fortification from the shopping blues, purchase a ticket to the Champagne Preview and Raffle for The Print Center‘s Annual Auction on Saturday, December 3.

Planning on showing off your favorite punch recipe? Find the perfect bowl to compliment it at the “Battle of the Bowls” auction at the Philadelphia Art Alliance on Tuesday, December 6, which benefits the exhibitions and programs of the Alliance.

If you find the thought of all these auctions intimidating, then visit the Space 1026 auction on December 9. With $5 starting bids on all items, even an auction amateur can feel at ease.

Tags: art star, art star holiday craft bazaar, axd gallery, battle of the bowls, black friday, holiday gifts, paint it right, philadelphia art alliance, philadelphia photo arts center, philly photo day, right foundation, thanksgiving
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