Artists from the 40th Street Artist-in-Residence (AIR) Program have invited 11 West Philadelphia-based artists to show their work at the program’s annual exhibition Friends and Neighbors. The show opening reception is tomorrow, Jan. 13 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the 4007 Chestnut Street gallery (1st floor). Apart from seeing the exhibition’s dynamic and diverse artwork there will be an opportunity to meet the participating artists and talk with the 2011-2012 40st AIR residents. The talk is scheduled for 7 p.m. See the flyer below for more information on featured artists. Here‘s the event’s Facebook Page.
Photo from Artclashcollective.com (Fun-A-Day 2009).
Every January for the past eight years, Philadelphia-based artist group Artclash Collective has been inspiring people of all ages, artistic persuasions, and walks of life to make art through their Fun-A-Day initiative. The idea behind it is simple: anyone can participate as long as they select an artistic act to do every day throughout the month of January. At the end of the month, each artist assembles the resulting 31-part exhibit for the ArtClash Collective to arrange in its annual show. Daily art projects have been as diverse as making the bed, writing a haiku, drawing a penguin in a different outfit, writing art jokes, posting a Jay-Z quote to your facebook profile, and learning a new song.
Fun-A-Day is now active in 20 U.S. cities as well as Dundee, Scotland, and Montreal.
The works produced by Philadelphians will be exhibited in the 2012 Fun-A-Day show at Studio 34 at 4522 Baltimore Avenue on February 11 and 12. The exhibit will also feature an open mic event for those making daily literary art. Studio 34 reports that in past years, over 500 people have turned out to see the Fun-A-Day projects.
This Friday, Dec. 23, at 7:30 p.m. a benefit performance of Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol” will take place at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church (3916 Locust Walk). All proceeds will go to support the church community programs. Curio Theatre‘s Artistic Associate Jared Reed is featured in this performance. Suggested donation is $10 (free for children aged 5 – 12). After the show everyone is invited for a reception. For more information call 215-386-3916.
Paul Robeson, the famed stage and screen actor who spent his later years in West Philly, is back at the corner of 45th and Chestnut keeping a keen eye on eastbound motorists.
Artist Ernel Martinez recently finished a mural of Robeson on the side of an apartment building across Chestnut Street from West Philadelphia Catholic High School that replaced an older mural of Robeson removed this summer.
The new mural is very similar to the original – a full-body portrait of an elegant Robeson in a black suit and tie.
Robeson, who was also an All-American athlete and the son of a former slave, lived in his sister’s row home at 4949 Walnut St. from 1968 to his death in 1976.
The Robeson mural is part of the African American Iconic Images collection, which also includes portraits of Jackie Robinson, Women of Jazz and Malcolm X, among others, and historical scenes of African American life and community.
Tonight is the opening night of Dario Fo’s play Accidental Death of An Anarchist at Curio Theatre (4740 Baltimore Ave). This comedy is probably the best-known play written by Fo and features both real and fictional characters. The shows run through January 7 on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays beginning at 8 p.m. Tickets ($15-$20) are still available for tonight’s show. To buy tickets click here.
Check out the promotional video below (it’s hilarious!).
Reminder: Locally produced musical RENT: School Edition is playing at The Rotunda (4014 Walnut Street) through December 23. The producers and high school students cast in the show have done an amazing job. There are eight shows remaining: Saturday Dec. 10 @1 p.m., Sunday Dec. 11 @1 p.m., Sunday Dec. 11 @7 .pm., Saturday Dec. 17 @1 p.m., Sunday Dec. 18 @1 p.m., Sunday Dec. 18 @7 p.m., Thursday Dec. 22 @7 p.m., and Friday Dec. 23 @3 p.m.
Tickets are $10 ($5 for under 18, college students w/ ID, and senior citizens). To buy tickets go here.
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