Art
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Philly Art Museum Presents Landmark Exhibition on the Watercolor Movement in American Art
Story, photos by Lou Perri The Philadelphia Museum of Art presents the most comprehensive loan exhibition in over 40 years devoted to the most important chapter in the history of watercolor painting in this country. American Watercolor in the Age of Homer and Sargent will bring together more than 170 works—many of them acknowledged masterpieces of this difficult, yet rewarding medium—drawn from public and private collections throughout the country. Tracing the development of the watercolor movement from its passionate embrace by a small, but dedicated group of painters in the 1860’s to the flowering of Modernism, this sweeping survey will examine the remarkable transformation of the medium that occurred in the…
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Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Flower Show Kicks off with Holland: Flowering the World
Photos, story by Tiffany Dubois For 2017 the PHS Philadelphia Flower Show will be featuring the land of tulips, “Holland: Flowering the World”, with a celebration of the beauty and ingenuity of Dutch culture, from the vivid and vibrant flower fields to innovative eco-design. Visitors will pass under a brick bridge inspired by the Amsterdam cityscape that will be decorated with Delft tile patterns, overflowing flower boxes and hanging baskets. A floral canopy will also be on display above the Entrance Garden with more than 6,000 fresh-cut and dried flowers hanging down from multi-colored strings above the heads of visitors. During the press junket held back in February at the Logan…
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Cirque Du Soleil’s Avatar Inspired ‘Toruk: The First Flight’ Preview Peaks Curiosity
Story, photos by Tiffany C. DuBois On a crisp Monday night, we attended a documentary featuring Cirque Du Soleil’s newest show, “Toruk: The First Flight” at The Prince Theater in Philadelphia. The preview was open only to Cirque members and the press, and everyone waited eagerly to take their seats to view the preview inspired by James Cameron‘s hit movie “Avatar“. The story of Toruk is one that everyone in the entire city of Philadelphia should hear. A Na’vi storyteller tells a tale of the Na’vi discovering Pandora 4,000 years before humans ever set foot in Pandora, as depicted in the Avatar. One of the things that we noticed upon arrival was…
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Autograph Brasserie in Wayne Celebrates Those Who Left Their Signature on American Culture and Cuisine
Story by Jill Beckel, photos by Cassie Hepler If you’re looking for a relaxing night out and an elegant meal you won’t soon forget, Autograph Brasserie is your answer. Their wonderful dishes and cocktails are inspired by France, Spain, Italy and America. The restaurant provides engaging, celebrity photo covered decor with stellar food and a creative cocktail menu coupled with an extensive curated wine and spirits list. Autograph is a modern American brasserie that celebrates those individuals from past and present, who left their signature on popular American culture. Located at 503 W. Lancaster Avenue in Wayne, PA, it first opened in May 2016. Vintage vinyl and signed celebrity photos cover the walls of…
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AC Anonymous Artists Bring Colorful Images to the Streets of Atlantic City
In recent weeks, many of the “ugly” facades in Atlantic City, have been graced by the works of anonymous artists who place unique art pieces on doors, windows and other eye sores to help beautify the city. Going by the name AC Anonymous, we don’t know who they are, or when they’ll strike again, but good news for us is we were able to interview their spokesperson. See who’s behind the scenes of this artistic mystery and learn how you can help: WHITNEY: Tell us who you are? SPOKESPERSON: I am the spokesperson for AC Anonymous. I handle social media and interviews. Why under the guise of AC Anonymous? SPOKESPERSON: AC…
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Christmas Village Decks City Hall with Vendors for Holiday Season
Christmas Village in Philadelphia presented by NRG returns to Philadelphia for the 2016 holiday season at Philadelphia’s City Hall (1400 JFK Blvd.). Decking the halls into a traditional, open-air German Christmas Market, it is open daily through Christmas Eve, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016. Christmas Village lights up the City Hall Courtyard and Northern Apron with holiday sights and sounds featuring thousands of twinkling lights, festive Christmas decorations, live music at the main stage, children’s activities and photos with Santa. Shoppers will find high-quality, international and local gifts and decorations. Visitors are also invited to warm up with a glass of warm mulled wine or hot chocolate while enjoying the great variety of…
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Interview with Author Irene Levy Baker of 100 Things to do in Philadelphia Before You Die
Story, video by Whitney Ullman 100 Things to do in Philadelphia Before You Die, the latest in a national series of travel guides by Reedy Press, was just released. The guide was written by Irene Levy Baker, who has spent 25 years exploring Philadelphia. It includes tips she discovered while working with five local tourist bureaus, celebrity chefs, hotels and attractions. Baker is the owner of Spotlight Public Relations, a firm specializing in hospitality and restaurants. Prior to starting her public relations firm in 1998, Baker spent nearly a decade at the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau. EXPLORE PHILLY: Tell us about the inspiration behind writing this particular book? BAKER: I’ve been exploring…
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Longwood Gardens is a Flower Lovers Fantasy Wonderland
Story by Cassie Hepler, photos by Cassie Hepler and Samantha Hepler Every Philadelphian knows that the hike to Kennett Square is worth the trip. Certainly a day trip (or honestly two-day overnight explore the burbs weekend or better yet weekday trip) is the best way to see the whole beauty and bounty that is Longwood Gardens. Make sure you strap on your sneakers and get a good night’s sleep because there’s miles of exploring to be done and only so much time to do so! Every local also knows that yes, the sweaty summer months are beautiful and glorious however nature and art shines beautifully in the fall and winter at…
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LOVE Park Welcome Center gets a Makeover for Spring 2017
Photos, story by Lou Perri Mayor Jim Kenney joined officials of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and the Fairmount Park Conservancy to celebrate the highly anticipated start of the renovation of the Welcome Center at LOVE Park, and announced Saint-Gobain will be the Presenting Sponsor of the Welcome Center, which is anticipated to be completed in spring 2017 in tandem with the rebuilding of LOVE Park in Center City. During the ceremony held at the Municipal Services Building-Thomas Paine Plaza (1401 John F. Kennedy Blvd.), city officials and Saint-Gobain unveiled an “interactive” rendering to help Philadelphians and visitors see themselves in the future of the Welcome Center. Other city officials and…
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Breaking Gender Stereotypes at the Philly Fashion Week Style Gala Kickoff Party
Story, photos by Jill Beckel This year’s Philadelphia Fashion Week Style Gala refreshingly broke traditional gender norms. The event was held at the Sugarhouse Casino on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016. Located in the Grand Ballroom in the event center, guests started to arrive a little before 7 p.m. The event was free by invitation only. Compared to last year’s Style Gala, this year’s event definitely wasn’t as lavish. Last year’s featured an abundance of delicious hot appetizers, a buffet and desserts with complimentary cocktails. This year’s had a few passed appetizers, but the hungry crowd had to fight for them. A cash bar kept guests refreshed but mostly sober. Explore Philly enjoyed…