The end of summer is near, which means classes start up again soon and free time will become much more of a commodity than it is now, so take advantage of these last few weeks. This summer, many different museums, venues and festivals in the Greater Philadelphia area are offering amazing exhibits by talented local artists. Many of these creative exhibits will close with the end of summer, so make sure you visit them while they’re still open and before your daily class schedule and catching up with all your friends takes up all your time. Summer is all about new experiences, and seeing all this beautiful, local art is an opportunity you don’t want to pass up!
Summer Concert Series: Trinidelphia
When: August 12, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Where: Penn Museum, 3260 South Street, Philadelphia. Cost: $5 for Open Arts members, $10 for non-Open-Arts members.
For the month of August, guests can enjoy discounted admission to Penn Museum, including access to all current exhibits on display — the Egyptian mummy gallery, Africa gallery, Greece gallery, the museum’s special exhibitions Beneath the Surface: Life, Death, and Gold in Ancient Panama and Native American Voices — The People, Here and Now and more. This Wednesday, guests can also attend a nighttime concert by local American-Caribbean fusion band Trinidelphia. The concert will take place in Penn Museum’s outdoor courtyard space and the Philadelphia-based band will play a selection of their original music blending Latin jazz, reggae, salsa and popular songs.
Art After 5: Bossa Nova Night
When: August 14, 5 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Where: The Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia. Cost: $14.
For only the price of admission, guests can enjoy exclusive nights of live music performances, open gallery tours and light refreshments at the Philadelphia Museum of Art Fridays after 5 pm this summer. This Friday, vocalist Andrea Clair will lead her talented ensemble in a performance of classic bossa nova music. Guided gallery tours of all current exhibits in the museum will also be offered throughout the night, as well as light dinner options and cocktails served by Starr events to complement the relaxing environment of music and art.
Legendary: Inside the House Ballroom Scene Exhibit
When: Through August 16. Where: The African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch Street, Philadelphia. Cost: $10.
Local photographer Gerard Gaskin debuts his influential work in the exhibit Legendary: Inside the House Ballroom Scene at The African American Museum in Philadelphia, which ends on Sunday. Gaskin’s work explores the house balls culture of the African American and Latino LGBTQ community, a LGBTQ subculture where people “walk” for trophies and prizes at events known as balls. Legendary is made up of photos taken at house events in Philadelphia, Richmond, Washington D.C. and New York City. Gaskin wants to celebrate the artistry and self-fashion of the house balls culture while increasing awareness of what they are.
Shelley Spector: Keep the Home Fires Burning Exhibit
When: Through September 28. Where: The Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia. Cost: $14.
Prominent local artist and educator Shelley Spector debuted her new exhibit in the Perelman Building at the Philadelphia Museum of Art this summer, a collection made entirely from recycled parts. Spector used many different materials in her work such as furniture parts, wood and vintage textiles and other recycled material. Many of her sculptures and embroideries revolve around a garden theme, including birds, trees, tulips and other floral displays. Spector is a graduate of The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and the University of the Arts, and is now a professor at UArts.
Traction Company Exhibit
When: Through October 11. Where: Fisher Brooks Gallery, 118 North Broad Street, Philadelphia. Cost: $12.
One of Philly’s most reputable art educators, the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, produced 12 alumni, staff and faculty that decided to team up and create the Traction company. The company opened their exhibition in a studio space in West Philly, creating both collaborative and individual pieces on display. Museumgoers will find a variety of contemporary works by the artists, including the centerpiece work subTRACTION, a miniature reproduction of the their 8,000-square-foot West Philly work space.
