Curious about the creative process? Find inspiring visual arts right in your neighborhood during Philadelphia Open Studio Tours (POST), the largest tour program of artist studios and creative work spaces in the region, now celebrating its 15th anniversary year.
Over two weekends this month — October 11-12 and October 25-26 — engage with working artists in Philadelphia. For these two weekends in October, POST events expose the inner workings of Philadelphia’s creative spaces to the public via casual self tours and organized guided tours, as well as special events and exhibitions.
A program produced in conjunction with The Center for Emerging Visual Artists, the tours not only make engaging with Philadelphia’s professional artists super accessible, but also allow participants to craft a tour based solely on personal interests.
Split into two festive weekends, in 2014 studios will be open west of Broad Street on October 11-12 and east of Broad Street on October 25-26. The tours run from noon to 6 p.m. on both weekends, both days.
Read on for our guide to engaging with POST in 2014.
Self Tours
For 15 years, Philadelphia Open Studio Tours have opened doors to awesome spaces, pulling back the curtain on the creative process in the biggest event of its kind in the Philadelphia area, and one of the premier open studio tour events in the entire country.
On October 11 and 12, visit Center City West, Chestnut Hill and Mount Airy, Fairmount, Francisville, Germantown, Manayunk, Roxborough, East Falls and West Philadelphia.
The weekend of October 25 and 26, explore neighborhoods including Center City East and Callowhill, Kensington, Fishtown, Northern Liberties, Old City, Queen Village, Bella Vista and more of South Philadelphia.
With anywhere from a dozen to more than 50 studios open for visitation in each neighborhood, POST participants can count on finding a hugely diverse array of artists, mediums and style of space.
To hit a number of studios on a single stop, look for artist collectives and co-op spaces like the Studios at 915 Spring Garden in Callowhill, Crane Arts and Globe Dye Works in Kensington, Neighborhood House @ Christ Church in Old City and the Artists at University City Arts League in West Philadelphia.
Check out the more than 300 participating artists and search by neighborhood or by medium online so you can start planning your own itinerary.
For more on POST, see below.
Guided Tours
Interested in an expert organizing a tour for you? Reserve a spot on one of the guided trolley tours curated by The Center For Emerging Visual Artists.
Tours are $40 per person and available on Sunday, October 12 and Sunday, October 26 and run from 1 to 5:30 p.m.
Each tour features a wide range of studio styles, locations, and experiences, but with the added bonus of convenient door-to-door service from Center City, tour kits and a casual wine reception at the conclusion of each tour.
The tours depart from the Center for Emerging Visual Artists (237 S. 18th Street) and reservations are required. Contact 215-546-7775 x10 or info@cfeva.org to reserve a seat.
For a complete itinerary of each guided tour, check here.
Anniversary Party and Special Events
In addition to the core open tours, POST also hosts a number of special events during the Open Studio Tours festival season.
To kick off the event, join in the POST 15th Anniversary Celebration at the Sonesta Hotel Art Bar on Thursday, October 9, 6-9 p.m. The brand new Art Bar at the Sonesta Hotel features artwork curated by The Center for Emerging Visual Artists, and will host an exhibition of works by Michele Kishita, James B. Abbott and Michael Yoder. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door and include complimentary cocktail and hors d’oeuvres.
Beyond the cocktail party, check out the featured exhibition series, too, with exhibits and events throughout the city including In-Between, a site-specific installation by Sun Young Kang at The Center for Emerging Visual Artists Gallery, and David Lynch: The Unified Field, a must-see exhibition of the rarely seen works of iconic director David Lynch at the Pennsylvania Academy Of The Fine Arts.
For the complete special event lineup, check here.
Don’t miss out on the largest tour of artist studios and creative workspaces in the region.
Philadelphia Open Studio Tours (POST) 2014
When: West of Broad Street, October 11-12; East of Broad Street, October 25-26; noon-6 p.m.
Where: Art studios throughout the city
Cost: Free
More info: www.philaopenstudios.org
The post Our Guide To The 15th Anniversary Year Of Philadelphia Open Studio Tours (POST) With Free Tours Of 300+ Philadelphia Art Studios, Special Events And More, October 11-12 And October 25-26 appeared first on Uwishunu - Philadelphia Blog About Things to Do, Events, Restaurants, Food, Nightlife and More.