North Philly’s echo to First Friday
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(📷 Via InLiquid, Tilt, TigerStrikesAsteroid & Automat Collective)
Join us for a Craft Coven arts crawl!
Thursday September 12th 6-9pm
We'll be meeting at Punch Buggy Brewing Company at 1445 N American St, Philadelphia, PA 19122. between 5:30-6pm, and then make the rounds of Second Thursday. What's up with Second Thursday you ask?
Located in the South Kensington neighborhood of North Philly, several local arts organizations have joined together to create a gathering of the arts community, which is smartly scheduled on the second Thursday of every month as to not compete with First Friday (which tends to draw the crowds down to Old City). From what I can glimpse, Second Thursday was started by Crane Arts and has been going for at least a decade. More recently it has expanded into a neighborhood arts crawl, with the arrival of new arts organizations joining American Street.
This arts crawl revolves around the 4 block stretch of American Street, between Master & Berks. The neighborhood has a goal of turning this corridor into an “avenue of the arts”. The four main organizations involved so far are; The Crane Arts Building & The Clay Studio, which sit across the street from one another, and NextFab & Resource Exchange, which are conjoined in the same building complex just 3 blocks north.
In between are a few spaces which have some potential to bridge the gap and fill out this burgeoning arts district. Ray is a new apartment complex which includes an exhibition space and 6 artist studios on the ground floor, as well as Ulises bookstore. There is Bahdeebahdu design studio and venue space, which currently sports a For Sale sign and just hosted its final hurrah last month. Fingers crossed that someone will resurrect this unique building into a new public arts space. The Foreman Arts Institute recently announced they will be opening a new arts complex at American & Dauphin, and Commonweal Gallery announced a move to South Kensington as well. To be located somewhere on Mascher St. (3 blocks east of American).
I look forward to attending Second Thursday every month. I live right around the corner and it's so convenient that it's a mandatory obligation at this point, albeit a very welcome one. I usually hit up the Clay Studio first, then make my way up to NextFab and ReSource, and end at Crane Arts on my way back down the avenue. Mainly because Crane Arts is open later than the others, so in case I get caught up chatting, I have ample time to make the rounds at all 4 locations.
Second Thursday Hours :
Clay Studio 5- 8pm
Resource Exchange : 5 - 8pm
NextFab : 6 - 9pm
Crane Arts 6 - 9pm
There are several convenient watering holes along the route if you want to grab a drink; Punch Buggy which is next to the Clay Studio, Sor Ynez in between ReMark & NextFab, New Liberty Distillery is behind the Crane Arts Building, and SayNoMore about a block east on 2nd & Cecil B. You can usually sniff out some free wine at the Crane Arts building, and several of their galleries will have beer and wine for sale. They also have free snacks, in the way of cheese & crackers, fruit plates, chips, pretzels and the like.
The Stops -
The Clay Studio :
The vibe at the clay studio can go one of two ways. If Second Thursday falls in line with an exhibition opening it's packed and lively, If not; it's quiet and peaceful. Make sure to take a spin around their gift shop as well, It's one of my go to spots for holiday shopping. I especially love the wall of cups which makes a fun visual impact on the space.
Resource Exchange :
Reclaimed / Recycled materials for creatives.
The ReCreate gallery space, small but mighty, features local artists whose work has a focus on sustainability. While you're there, take the opportunity to shop around for art supplies!
NextFab :
A network of collaborative makerspaces.
NextFab is a combination of private studios and communal work spaces, including a wood shop, metal, jewelry, and textile shops. As well as a classroom, conference room, common area and event space. Some months they will have an exhibition or event which coincides with Second Thursday, but other months might simply act as an open house tour, providing the opportunity to check out the makerspaces, inquire about amenities and workshops, or chat with members.
They also have a good snack spread.
Crane Arts Building :
Crane Arts is where the party's at.
As soon as you walk into the building you're met with a cacophony of excitement and lively conversations. It's always packed and if you know people in the arts community you're likely to run into people here. Crane Arts hosts 5 floors of artist studios, with several gallery spaces on the first floor & Second State Press in the basement.
The Gallery spaces include;
Ice Box
Who's namesake is an homage to the history of the building, this space used to function as an industrial freezer. Being the largest gallery space in the Crane Arts building, it is able to host a broad range of mediums including visual arts, music, film, and performance art. This is usually my first stop within the Crane Arts building. It is functionally the main event since it has such a large footprint and indicatively hosts the majority of works on display.
InLiquid
An artist Hub for resources, opportunities and community. InLiquid has been around for over 2 decades and has built a well established network of artists, curators & collectors. They have a ton of partnerships with public spaces around Philadelphia which they use as satellite exhibition venues. All of which allows them to supply a lot of great connections and opportunities for artists. Check out their membership program!
Tiger Strikes Asteroid
An artist-run exhibition space supported by a gallery collective (with locations in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago & Greenville). I often find thought provoking and interactive pieces here.
Automat Collective
An artist run co-op put together by a group of PAFA alumni, Automat is community centered with solid mission values. They showcase new and emerging artists, resulting in exciting curatorial programming. I often find experimental and processed based works here.
Peep
I love this mini gallery, located in… what I would describe as a very long closet or a hallway to no nowhere. I really enjoy the ingenuity of it and always look forward to seeing what they’ve done with the exhibition design in such a unique space. It can be a bit of a squeeze on a busy second Thursday, so if you're claustrophobic maybe visit on another day of the week. Sometimes I loop back around and wait for people to filter out.
Tilt
The Institute for Contemporary Image is a photography based program space. They inhabit 3 studio spaces within the Crane Arts building, including the exhibition space, printing lab & framing studio. They offer fine art photography services such as scanning, printing, framing. and mounting. As well as conducting photography classes and workshops.
Second State Press
A community printmaking studio.
The hallway space leading up to the studio is used as their exhibition space. They also have prints for sale and snacks in the studio. Take the opportunity to chat then up about upcoming classes and workshops!
Yet More To Explore! :
Wit Lopez Gallery
The Sable Collective
YAP
Box Spring Gallery
Philadelphia Assembly
Atelier Prajje Oscar
* Accessibility
The Crane Arts building, Clay Studio, NextFab & Remark are all wheelchair accessible.
