Film Screening: TAPPED - Learn about the bottled water industry's effect on our health, economy, environment, and more

Tuesday, October 16th, 5:45-7:45 pm

Film Screening: TAPPED
come learn about the bottled water industry’s effect on our health, economy, environment, and more!
sponsored by Mariposa Food Co-op’s Food Justice and Anti-Racism Working Group, and 2012-2013 40th Street Artist-in-Resident Diedra Krieger's Plastic Fantastic community outreach project.

Lucien Blackwell Free Library- 125 South 52nd St
free and open to the public
rsvp: education@mariposa.coop

The Daily Pennsylvanian :: 40th Street Artists-in-Residence program opens its doors to the public

Thanks to the many folks who visited our studios and gallery during the annual Philadelphia Open Studio Tours this past weekend! A writer from the Daily Pennsylvanian, the independent student newspaper of the University of Pennsylvania, visited us as well, and here is the article! 
The Daily Pennsylvanian :: 40th Street Artists-in-Residence program opens its doors to the public

Diedra Krieger's project Plastic Fantastic rages on through 10/17!

Plastic Fantastic's Adventure at the corner lot
of 49th and Chancellor, Philadelphia PA

September 23rd to October 17th, 2012

Underpinning Plastic Fantastic are concerns about the politics of water, environmental issues, recycling, self-care, and equity. Plastic Fantastic creates possibility for social change through play, collectivity, community development and production. Through this process we improve our relationship with the everyday.

We are excited to be collaborating with the 4900 block of Chancellor Street, 200 block of South 49th Street, Huey School's after school program, Portside Art Center, University City District, 40th Street AIR, Mariposa’s Food Justice and Anti-Racism (FJAR) Working Group, The Rotunda, Hector's Metal Shop, Inciting HQ, all of our water bottle collectors, Planet Fitness, Bikram Yoga of Philadelphia, and Bartram's Garden!

** **** POST Philadelphia Open Studio Tours **** **

******** Saturday 10/6 & Sunday 10/7 ********
--------------------------

Saturday 10/6
Leave a message from your imagination in a bottle for the dome. Plant a bottle on the dome. Visit Diedra's studio at 4013 Chestnut Street 2nd floor, along with our other AIR residents in 4007 and 4013 Chestnut. And/or visit the dome at 49th and Chancellor!


** Special Extra POST Dome Afternoon Action **

* Sunday 10/7/12 * 49th & Chancellor *
--------------------
++ Make a planter from a carrot ++
++ Sounds by Staco and Rudy ++
++ Pineapple tortas by Kay Ay ++
++ Tree planting ceremony ++


~~~~ Tapped ~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~~~
~~ WHAT~~~~ FJAR sponsored screening of Tapped ~~~
~~~ WHEN ~~~~~ Tuesday 10/16 5:30pm ~~~~
~~ WHERE~~~~~ Blackwell Library, 125 S 52nd Street, Philadelphia, PA  ~~~~~

Meet the artists OCT 6 + 7!

Hadeya's Coming by Celestine Wilson Hughes

Barn House by Mike Harpring

Fall is here, and so are our new residents!Next weekend, on SATURDAY OCTOBER 6 AND SUNDAY OCTOBER 7, you will have the opportunity to meet our 2012-2013 residents (Fatima Adamu, Mike Harpring, Diedra Krieger, Thomasin Parnes, and Celestine Wilson Hughes) while seeing their work in their very own studios. We'll have some work mounted in our gallery space, too! PLUS, say hello to an old friend----2011-2012 resident Martina Plag, who stayed on this year to act as an artist liaison. Martina will be in her new studio (4007 Chestnut, back) on October 7 only.

Moon Goddess by Fatima Adamu

WHAT: Philadelphia Open Studio Tours

WHEN: Saturday October 6 + Sunday October 7, 12-6pm both days

WHERE: 4007 Chestnut Street, 1st floor + 4013 Chestnut Street, 1st and 2nd floors  

This year's group of residents has it all, from stained glass, collage, painting, and silkscreening, to puppetry, installation art, video, photography, movement, eco-art/upcycling, and a host of other media.  

The 40th Street Artist-in-Residence Program (AIR) is truly a diverse initiative, supporting artists from all walks of life and all visual media.  

Visit the artists' studios for a behind-the-scenes look at how they create in their new digs, and stop by the gallery to see some completed pieces by this talented lineup. 

flyer for Plastic Fantastic, a project by Diedra Krieger

Studio + gallery locations:

4007 Chestnut front: Celestine Wilson Hughes

4007 Chestnut Middle: Gallery

4007 Chestnut back: Martina Plag (2011-2012 resident; current artist liaison; in studio October 7 only)

4013 Chestnut 1st floor front: Fatima Adamu

Because Your Pockets Weren't There (detail) by Thomasin Parnes

4013 Chestnut 1st floor middle: Mike Harpring

4013 Chestnut 2nd floor middle: Diedra Krieger

4013 Chestnut 2nd floor back: Thomasin Parnes

Announcing our 2012-2013 Resident Artists!

Our 2012-2013 residents are:
Fatima Adamu
Mike Harpring
Celestine Wilson Hughes
Diedra Krieger
Thomasin Parnes

Everyone is gearing up to move in and get started! We'll post more info later, regarding their individual working methods and media. And don't forget that you can meet all of these artists during Philadelphia Open Studio Tours, Sat. Oct. 6 and Sun. Oct. 7, 12-6pm both days.

Aaaaand Martin Plag, one of our 2011-2012 residents, is staying on for the year, filling the new role of artist liaison. In about 5 or 6 months, we'll open the application process to all AIR alum, so if you graduated from our program, will need a studio from August 2013 through August 2014, and don't mind pitching in here and there to help the new artists, consider applying. We'll let you know when applications are ready.

The Cyclenauts at Kensignton Kinetic Sculpture Derby and EXCHANGE exhibition

Resident artist Michael Konrad and alumni artist Jim Garvey teamed up with youth from Neighborhood Bike Works in Philadelphia to design and build a rideable "flying saucer" sculpture for the 2012 Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby. The kids, dubbing themselves "The Cyclenauts," participated in all stages of the project from concept, design, construction, welding, costumes, decoration, and finally riding in the parade, where we won the Judge's Choice Award!

An installation including the flying saucer sculpture, the spacesuit costumes, and the above video documentary was presented at 40th Street AIRspace for Exchange, an exhibition highlighting the completed community outreach projects from the outgoing 40th Street residents.

The Cyclenauts installation at the Exchange exhibition.

Mike (pictured), Martina (pictured), and the rest of us want to see you on friday august 10, right here in our 40th street artist-in-residence program back yard and gallery, 4007 chestnut, 6-8pm, as we say goodbye to our 2011-2012 residents, hello to our 2012-2013 residents, and show off our community outreach work!

AIR Exchange - 8/10/12 - exhibit of 2011-2012 community engagement projects + bbq reception

Join us on Friday August 10th, 6-8pm, for an exhibit and casual bbq reception for Exchange!

This is our very first exhibit of the work completed over the course of residents' community engagement projects.

Bid farewell to our 2011-2012 residents, say hello to our 2012-2013 residents, and see how hard our artists work.

At our gallery, 4007 Chestnut St., 1st floor.

See work from these 2011-2012 projects -
Marie Alarcón: Park Pleasant Nursing Home & Rehab;
Michael Konrad: Neighborhood Bike Works;
E.K. Miles: A Renaissance is What They Call It (student-led art class for all ages);
Sarah Lowry and Beth Nixon & Ms. Weinraub's Drama Classes at West Philadelphia High School;
Martina Plag: University City High School

AIR@City Hall 6/14 + E.K. Miles opens Cross Road: Markings of a Place Holder 6/15!

Hello Friends!

We have two very exciting announcements, and both have to do with events happening tomorrow Thursday June 14 AND Friday June 15, so read closely.  

 

The 40th Street Artist-in-Residence Program was one of just a few artist-in-residence programs to be invited to display work in the gallery at City Hall, as part of Philly Residencies. We chose to display work from our outgoing 2011-2012 residents Marie Alarcón, Michael Konrad, Sarah Lowry, E.K. Miles, Beth Nixon, and Martina Plag. Come see brand new works and a few old favorites from these stellar artists. Residency Reimagined: Artist Residencies in the 21st Century Thursday June 14 5 - 6pm - Discussion, Mayor's Reception Room (City Hall Room 202) 6 - 7pm - Networking Reception, Art Gallery at City Hall (City Hall Room 116) our 2011-2012 residents In today's arts landscape, the term "artist residency" no longer has a single, static meaning. Different residency programs may offer funding, materials, training, work space, living space, or valuable partnerships and collaborative opportunities.  A more diverse set of artists - visual and non-visual - are being invited to participate in residencies by nonprofit arts organizations as well as for-profit businesses. What do these changes mean for artists in Philadelphia?  What new residency models or trends are emerging around the globe, and how do our city's offerings fit into that larger picture?  How might an organization interested in creating an artist residency program begin the process?  Most importantly, how can local creatives of all types take advantage of these new opportunities?  Our panelists will discuss these issues within the context of their own perspectives on and approach to residency programs, as well as answer your questions. Following the panel, we invite all guests to move downstairs to the Art Gallery at City Hall to enjoy a networking reception with light refreshments, as well as explore the new "Philly Residencies" exhibition, on display through July 20th. RSVP HERE: http://residencyreimagined.eventbrite.com/ PANEL MODERATOR: Amie Potsic, Director of the Career Development Program, The Center For Emerging Visual Artists (CFEVA) PANEL MEMBERS: Allan L. Edmunds, President, Brandywine Workshop Gina Renzi, Facilitator, 40th Street AIR Dan Schimmel, Director & Co-Founder, Breadboard Caitlin Strokosch, Executive Director, Alliance of Artist Communities The Creative Philadelphia Event Series is an opportunity for creative professionals of every stripe to share their ideas, build their professional networks, and plant the seeds of future collaboration. The series is made possible with generous support from the William Penn Foundation.

Final Solo show of the 2011-2012 residency! E.K. Miles opens Cross Road: Markings of a Place Holder Friday June 15, 6 - 9pm! Join 40th Street AIR as we celebrate our final solo show of the 2011-2012 residency. While we may hold some events later this summer, E.K. Miles' Cross Road: Markings of a Place Holder is the last show of the 2011-2012 residency to highlight the work of one resident. Opening: Friday June 15, 6 - 9pm Gallery hours: Friday June 22 and 29, 3 - 7pm or by appointment. Call E.K. at 216-965-7315 @our gallery, 4007 Chestnut St., first floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104 Cross Road: Markings of a Place Holder is an interactive installation-based exhibition. The show is a collection of pieces that compose together the misconception, oppression, and struggles within identity. From the artist: "As an artist, I use my own personal narrative to weave together pieces of the complex but ever revolving puzzle that is race, class, gender identity, sexuality, family and community. Using objects to convey and mark each passage way of experience, I invite the audience to come along with me through a journey of self reflection and pavement."

Final Solo show of the 2011-2012 residency! E.K. Miles opens Cross Road: Markings of a Place Holder Friday June 15, 6-9pm!

Join 40th Street AIR as we celebrate our final solo show of the 2011-2012 residency. While we may hold some events later this summer, E.K. Miles' Cross Road: Markings of a Place Holder is the last show of the 2011-2012 residency to highlight the work of one resident.

Opening: Friday June 15, 6-9pm
Gallery hours: Friday June 22 and 29, 3-7pm
or by appointment. Call E.K. at 216-965-7315 
at our gallery, 4007 Chestnut Street, first floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104

Cross Road: Markings of a Place Holder is an interactive installation-based exhibition. The show is a collection of pieces that compose together the misconception, oppression, and struggles within identity.

From the artist: "As an artist, I use my own personal narrative to weave together pieces of the complex but ever revolving puzzle that is race, class, gender identity, sexuality, family and community. Using objects to convey and mark each passage way of experience, I invite the audience to come
along with me through a journey of self reflection and pavement."

From "Monsters Under the Bed"

The Cyclenauts prepare for Kinetic Sculpture Derby (40th St AIR and Neighborhood Bike Works team up)

Martina Plag's MONSTERS UNDER THE BED opens this Friday at 7pm!!

MONSTERS UNDER THE BED

Opening: this Friday, May 11th, 7-10pm at 4007 Chestnut Street

Additional viewing times: Friday, May 18th and 25th, 3-7pm or by appointment (call 215-429-9939)

Monsters Under the Bed is an instillation of performance-objects, with an uncanny tilt towards the grotesque. The exhibition features a selection of puppets whose designs have been commissioned over the past four years. In May 2008, Martina Plag branched out as a free-lance designer for theater and dance by establishing a puppetry atelier: studium-praxis.

This installation specifically focuses on designs built at Martina's 40th AIR Space studio over the past nine months. Each puppet or set displayed in the exhibition has been designed for a specific performance and to serve a very specific function. Each puppet design is narrative driven. Martina approaches space-making similarly - from a narrative architecture. Martina's set designs serve to support the functions of the play by creating spaces within which to trans- or per-form... and through which storytelling objects such as puppets, masks and specialty props or the scenic elements themselves can be moved.

There are times when Martina approaches the puppet as metaphor, especially when working with non-figurative objects. She mostly limits this approach to every day objects that are minimally worked as a physical material and rather exalted for being mundane.

The objects in Monsters Under the Bed are designed by Martina Plag, some are even made by her, but many many more are made with the help of talented artists, each bringing their own unique approach to puppet making and puppetry. They include: Pam Raines, Stephen C. Layne. Bill Hanson, Deborah Glassberg, Laureen Griffin, Leah Walton, Lorna Howley, Leila Ghaznavi, Cory Palmer, and several interns too.

for more information about Martina Plag, visit: http://www.studium-praxis.org

CLOSING FOR RETROSPECTACULAR!! Thursday, April 26th, 6 pm!!

Thursday, April 26, 2012,
6:00pm until 9:30pm
Please join us!


7 PM a few shoe-box crankie shows by students from West Philly High.

9 PM songs by Beth Nixon and Morgan FP Andrews from puppet shows of old (sloths, mammoths, mice...)

Beth and her Ramshackle Enterprise have been creating puppet and clown shows and facilitating the creation of parades and pageants in Philly and beyond for over a dozen years. This retrospectacular showcases Beth's participation in over a decade of action in the West Philly/ East coast puppet underground. See, read and fondle relics from her first Philly performance at the 2000 post RNC Puppet Uprising to this winter's collaboration with Sarah Lowry in the creation of "Below and Beyond".

Puppets, masks, suitcase theaters, illustrations and cardboard constructions on display. (Almost) everything for sale! If you bought/claimed anything at the opening, please come to the closing to pick it up!

www.ramshackleenterprises.net (Beth)
www.themissoulaoblongata.com (Sarah and Co.)

Now accepting applications for the 2012-2013 residency! Deadline is Monday May 7!

Residency: August 25, 2012 - August 15, 2013

Application Deadline: Monday, May 7, 2012

We'll alert artists (whether they are accepted or not) by June 15, 2012.

If accepted to the program, you will be granted a studio space at either 4007 Chestnut or 4013 Chestnut Street for a period of one year, beginning on August 25, 2012 and ending August 15, 2013. You will be encouraged to use that time to develop your own creative work. In exchange, you will be asked to share your talents with West Philadelphia through a minimum of 40 hours of outreach work over the course of the year. Examples of this include a public installation or a workshop or class. Support will be provided to help you develop this project effectively. In addition, the artists in residence will have opportunities to work together to plan group exhibitions, both of their own work and of their outreach work.  Monthly meetings (or more when necessary) will help facilitate this work as well as create opportunities for artists to share ideas and create a true community. In addition to working with your fellow residents, a student intern and a professional facilitator will help to coordinate efforts, including outreach, gallery activities, publicity, maintenance, etc.   

Please note that our sites are not live-in facilities. The studios are available at all times, but the buildings are shared; you must be considerate of other tenants. The spaces can accommodate a variety of creative activities, including painting, sculpture, installation art, photography, and performance art. Collaborative as well as individual efforts are welcome. Ceilings are high (approximately 12 feet in some areas); rooms range from 100-300 square feet. Some areas have ample natural light, while others have none at all (making them ideal darkrooms). The studios are not furnished. The buildings also have small yards in the rear that may be used for assembling larger works, or as a place to exhibit sculpture. The spaces have ventilation, running water, and 120- volt AC outlets. However, the facilities will not accommodate highly toxic chemicals, welding, or very high-powered electrical equipment. Note also that within the spaces, there is open access to the different work areas; we count on resident artists to show respect for others’ property and privacy.

The 40^th Street Artist-in-Residence program strives to create a community of artists who share their talents with each other and with the surrounding community.  

If you are interested, please email 40th.AIR.app@gmail.com for an application.

Beth Nixon/Ramshackle Enterprises: A RETROSPECTACULAR; Curated by Sarah Lowry! opens Thu. April 5, 6-9pm

UNOCCUPIED reviewed by The Art Blog

UNOCCUPIED has received a nice review from The Art Blog:

At Fortieth Street AIR, which is always engaged with Philadelphia artists, the gallery this month, is graced by work from current resident-artist Michael Konrad. He is continuing his exploration of survival in the decaying urban ecosystem with an installation built around a tent and pennant festoons all made from recycled umbrella canopies. This is where dead umbrellas go to die!

Read the complete article here: West Philadelphia looking is good

The exhibition is on view until March 30 at AIRspace Gallery (4007 Chestnut Street).

Michael Konrad UNOCCUPIED currently at AIRspace

Reign Free, 2012 by Michael Konrad
(tent made from reconstructed umbrella canopies)
click here for additional images of the exhibition

UNOCCUPIED, a solo exhibition of new sculpture, photography and installation is now on view at 40th Street AIRspace through March 30.

Thanks to everyone who came out to the opening! 

If you didn't make it, the gallery hours are every Friday in March from 3-7pm.

Alternatively, you may view the exhibition by appointment (call 917-318-0380).

40th St AIR Michael Konrad opens UNOCCUPIED this week!

Unoccupied: a solo exhibition of new sculpture, photography, and installation.

The show includes a selection of installation pieces made of photographs printed on Tyvek and a major new sculpture of a dome-style camping tent constructed from discarded broken umbrella canopies.

Opening Reception: Friday March 9, 6-9pm

Additional viewing times: Fridays March 16, 23, and 30, 3-7pm
+ by appointment (call 917-318-0380)

at the 40th Street Artist-in-Residence Gallery (AKA Airspace)
4007 Chestnut Street, first floor
Philadelphia, PA 19104

FREE, inclusive art class • a Renaissance is what they call it.... It's not just an Art Class

a Renaissance is what they call it.... It's not just an Art Class
By E.k. Miles and Leila Macbeth

Come join in a 12 week long journey through artistic expression, conversation, collaboration and the re-shaping of space. Renaissance is not just an art class but a movement toward building collectively and cultivating with others while using multiple art forms and the inherent knowledge we all hold. With study and applied knowledge, this class will stretch us artistically, enabling each person to share their talents----blending together narrative, visual, and installation art forms to create collective pieces of work that incorporates each student's artistic voice and talent.

First class meet Saturday, March 3, 2012, 4:00pm until 6:30pm. If you can't make this class, sign up anyway and come to the next one!

Class is FREE!!!!
(most) Materials provided
12 spaces available (first come first serve)

IF INTERESTED PLEASE EMAIL  elyriq@gmail.com to confirm attendance

Registration deadline: March !st

Class meets 3 times a month

((((((inclusive and diverse environment)))

Marie Alarcón's video installation show, BANISHED, opens February 10, 6-9pm

Opening reception: Friday, Feb. 10, 6-9pm, refreshments served

Additional viewing times: Fridays Feb. 17, 24, & March 2, 3-7pm

Location: 40ST AIR Gallery, 4007 Chestnut St, 1st floor
_______________________

Marie Alarcón is a Philadelphia-based video and installation artist. Her videos are collages of texture and light, often set in the majestic natural environs of eastern Pennsylvania. Inspired by liminality, hybridity and memory, her work is influenced by gender and race and pushes to create new mythologies rather then create "true histories."

Through the use of surreal effects created by pushing the capabilities of the camera itself, she creates intense dreamscapes and fantastical visions in which the viewers can lose themselves. Alarcón also teaches non-fiction and documentary workshops to both youth and adults, and has been involved in community media for the past 10 years.

Banished is a curation of Alarcón's short video and installation pieces dealing with transformation. The idea behind Banished is both cathartic expulsion and violent removal, sometimes initiated by the subject, and at other times imposed by another.

Alarcón will be screening her most recent piece MAGIcicada, a 5 minute video that follows a magical ritual of transformation created through live action, animation, and video collage. She will also premiere She Lost Her Wings Before She Could Fly, a video of devotion and the realities it obscures.



Check out the teaser: http://mariedaphnie.tumblr.com/