Every city has its art museum, and Philadelphia’s doesn’t disappoint. The Philadelphia Museum of Art repeatedly delivers with its special exhibits and a permanent collection of masters and modern. However, discovering a city’s current artistic pulse doesn’t happen within the hallowed walls of a museum. One must seek it out in cafes, galleries, studio spaces, and fairs, where paintings, sculptures, performance, and more are on display and often accompanied by personal appearances by the artists themselves. On your next Philadelphia vacation, there’s no better occasion to engage in the city’s contemporary art scene than First Fridays, when over 40 art spaces are open to the public for a free evening–on yes, you guessed it, the first Friday of every month.
If you’re curious about Philly’s art and social scenes, First Fridays is a surefire bet for experiencing the best of both. Since its inception in 1991, the event has become one of the city’s signature cultural events, highly popular among locals from the city center and the ‘burbs. The best part about First Fridays is that it defies the stereotype of snooty art openings with well-heeled crowds nibbling on canapes and making obtuse commentary on paintings’ artistic merit. Instead, the event is casual and accessible, one enjoyed by people from all walks of life, who come to check out the art, mingle with one another, and meet the artists. The galleries often provide wine and simple hors d’oeuvres, too, minus the stuffiness, of course.
The event takes place from 5 to 9pm rain or shine, year-round, in Old City, a neighborhood perched below Center City and along the river. Quaint townhouses and warehouses converted into live-work art spaces infuse the district with a SoHo-like feel. Rife with historic attractions, trendy restaurants, and popular bars, it’s a neighborhood you’ll want to check out regardless, but First Friday makes it the perfect way to kick off the weekend. You’ll find most of the participating galleries in Old City’s Art District, particularly between Front and Third, and Market and Vine Streets, a fully walkable zone.
Contemporary art galleries, design studios, antique shops, and performance spaces round out the evening’s offerings. Some venues of note include Painted Bride Art Center, Clay Studio, the Temple Gallery, the cooperative galleries Nexus, Highwire, Muse and Third Street Gallery, and collaborative Space 1026. In warmer months, Bird Park–a mini-park on Third Street just below Arch–is the premier outdoor art space, as it features changing sculpture installations and attracts a laid-back crowd looking for a relaxing spot to cool their heels. A map of all the open galleries can be found here, and be sure to consult Philly Fun Guide to see which galleries are having special receptions on a given month.
All that walking and artful conversation is bound to make you peckish. Fortunately, there are plenty of great wining and dining options in Old City. Amada serves up tapas and an extensive cocktails menu inspired by Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodovar, and features a live flamenco performance on Fridays at 9pm. The Continental makes the city’s best martinis, hands down. Buddakan’s heyday has passed, but it still turns out delicious Asian fusion cuisine. Farmicia prepares gourmet American dishes with local, organic ingredients–all without a shred of pretension. If you’re in the market for something more casual, savor one of the city’s best slices (and that’s saying something for a city filled with top-notch pizza) at Gianfranco Pizza Rustica, grab a heady brew at Eulogy Belgian Tavern, or enjoy a low-key bite and beer at National Mechanics, a friendly pub sans massive crowds in a building that was formerly a church.
As for logistics, Old City is located within easy walking distance of Center City hotels. However, if you’re getting there by car, you’ll be happy to know that in addition to a bunch of paid parking lots, there are free spots aplenty. On-street meters in the neighborhood are suspended after 5pm during First Fridays–specifically between Front Street west to Fifth Street and Walnut Street north to Callowhill Street. Philly certainly supports its art scene, as well as the people who come to enjoy it!
Photo credits: Painted Bride installation by tilaneseven, Old City architecture by Damian Scott, and Continental exterior by gophila.com, all on Flickr Creative Commons.
[...] art scene that goes far beyond Amish quilts. Be sure to check out its First Friday celebrations à la Philadelphia. In nearby Reading, Second Sunday events at The Goggleworks–a multi-building complex of [...]