Galleries

There is a wealth of art galleries throughout Philadelphia [1], spanning every type of traditional and cutting-edge art form. Items for sale range from the reasonably priced to limited-edition nationally known gems. The galleries around Rittenhouse tend to be of the high-end variety, while Northern Liberties and Chinatown have more of the thriving artists and artists’ co-ops. Old City has the greatest concentration of galleries of all kinds.

A few of the best and most unique galleries are covered in this section. Visit www.phillygalleryguide.com [2] for more comprehensive listings. Unless otherwise noted, the galleries are free.

First Fridays and Second Thursdays

First Friday has become the most popular ongoing event in Philadelphia [1] since its start in 1991. On the first Friday evening of each month, the art galleries of Old City open their doors to the public, and many offer free wine, beer, and snacks, creating a festive atmosphere. The bulk of the action is concentrated within a few square blocks between Market and Vine and Front and Third Streets, although additional art events are often held outside of Old City as well.

A much more recent addition to the local art scene, Second Thursdays is the Northern Liberties/Fishtown neighborhoods’ counterpart. The area has become a haven for artists over the past decade, and the second Thursday of each month, a group of galleries holds open houses. Many artists display their work out of Crane Arts (1400 N. American St., 215/232-3203, www.cranearts.com [3]), an art complex with studios and a cool display area and project space. A smaller and less-known event, at least for now, the art here is generally a bit more off-beat.

At both events, the art spans practically every form of classic and contemporary art, including painting, drawing, photography, designer furniture, crafts, glass, and more. Some of it is even relatively affordable for purchase, although many people just come to look. Most galleries at both events are open from 6 to 9 p.m.