Acquiring African American Art Made Easy in Philly

Posted on By october

Nov 10 2006

Local Gallery Owners Put Art Buyers At Ease

 Buying art can be intimidating, but the owners of Philadelphia’s African American art galleries provide a comforting mix of gentle guidance and pure patience to make the experience easy, accessible and even fun. Both first-time buyers and long-time art aficionados can be assured of purchasing their favorite pieces with ease. Here’s where to find the most wall-worthy art in the city:

 

  • Part of Philadelphia’s next generation of galleries, Art Around Gallery has popped up not too far from the Rittenhouse Square neighborhood, taking advantage of its proximity to the Marketplace Design Center. Welcoming a different artist each month, the gallery offers enough space to display 30 works. Within three years of its opening, Art Around has found success featuring primarily African American fine art from collages and cartoon art to paintings and sculptures. 2011 Chestnut Street, (215) 972-1644
  • Old City’s First Fridays offer a prime opportunity to discover ArtJaz Gallery and embrace the differing perspectives and changing imagery across the African Diaspora. Established in 1999, the gallery cultivates the works of emerging and career artists of color. Through exhibitions and community collaboration, owners Pamela Brown and Beverly Dawson create a forum in which regional, national and international artists can be heard. 53 N. 2nd Street, (215) 922-4800, www.artjaz.com
  • Housed in a certified historic landmark, the Brandywine Workshop has led the development of printmaking as a fine art form. Since its inception, the Workshop has sponsored more than 280 artists’ residencies from 35 states and 15 countries. The space includes two galleries for displaying works: the Henry O. Tanner Gallery features traveling exhibitions, prints from the collection and the work of young artists, while the Printed Image Gallery presents culturally and aesthetically diverse contemporary exhibitions from around the world. 730 S. Broad Street, (215) 546-3675,www.brandywineworkshop.com
  • For decades, the Sande Webster Gallery has been exhibiting provocative prints, paintings, drawings, photographs, sculptures and glassworks by emerging and established artists of color. The gallery hosts the occasional panel discussion where visitors can express their reactions, but the staff is receptive to good conversation anytime. 2006 Walnut Street, (215) 636-9003, www.sandewebstergallery.com
  • October Gallery is best recognized for organizing the annual Philadelphia International Art Expo, one of the most recognized public shows in the country. The three-day event features the works of 100-plus visual artists. Throughout the year, October Gallery, which recently relocated to West Oak Lane after nearly 20 years in Old City, exhibits primarily paintings and prints by local, national and international contemporary artists. 7175A Ogontz Avenue, (215) 629-3939, www.octobergallery.com

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