Join us at our annual Design Symposium on Thursday, Oct 3 for a day of inspiration and insight into the world of textile design and production. We'll have speakers from Wild Hand, Pointcarre, Woolmark, Fabric Horse, and Scott Kravet. 

Langhorne Carpet Company Weaves Rugs for Papal Visit and PhilaU Intern Helps!

From Langhorne Carpet Company's website is the following press release:

Philadelphia, PA (September 10, 2015) – The Archdiocese of Philadelphia and World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015today announced that Langhorne Carpet Company is weaving and will donate three custom carpets to be used during the visit of Pope Francis to Philadelphia on September 26 and 27. 
Under its long established ‘Carpets of Caring’ philanthropic program, the family-owned, 85-year-old Penndel, Bucks County-based textile company is weaving the Jacquard Wilton 100% organic wool carpets on its treasured Delaware County-manufactured “broad looms” for use during this historic occasion.Based on Langhorne’s original “Medallion of Hope” design, the 75’ x 9’ carpet will be rolled out and used during the Holy Father’s arrival and departure at Atlantic Aviation and the other two room accent carpets will be used inside the rectory of the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.  Pope Francis will celebrate Mass in the Cathedral for the people of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on September 26.
The Airport carpet, presented in Cardinal Red and Gothic Gold, features the decorative medallion border inspired by a section of the Cathedral Basilica’s stained glass windows. It requires nearly 191,000 yards of yarn (more than 100 miles) and will consist of more than one million individual woven loops. The carpets in the Cathedral rectory will feature the same signature medallion motif with the repeating six-inch diameter medallions.Langhorne’s in-house design team is led by company President William H. Morrow and includes Lead Designer Andrea Perlman and Design Assistant Lydia Whitford. Ms. Perlman is a 1977 graduate of Philadelphia University, from which Ms. Whitford will graduate in 2016.
 “We are honored to represent the greater Philadelphia region and the global wool textile community in weaving these distinctive, uplifting carpets for the Papal visit,” said Mr. William H. Morrow, President of Langhorne Carpet Company. “We greatly appreciate the opportunity presented by the World Meeting of Families and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to participate in this profoundly important event." 
Co-sponsored by the Holy See’s Pontifical Council for the Family and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, the World Meeting of Families is a triennial global event that seeks to strengthen the sacred bonds of family across the globe and highlight its intrinsic value to the good of society. This international gathering will welcome Pope Francis to the United States for the first time in his Papacy. Being held in the United States for the first time ever, the official theme for the 2015 World Meeting of Families is “Love is OurMission: The Family Fully Alive.”.

See more from Langhorne Carpet Company at Langhorne Carpets

Lydia Whitford, a Philadelphia University student is currently interning at Langhorne Carpet Company and had the opportunity to work on this amazing project!

Here are some photos in anticipation of the Pope's visit.

Lydia Whitford and PhilaU alum Andrea Perlman working on "Medallion of Hope"

The Weaving Begins!

The creel of cones of yarn used in this carpet

The carpet coming off loom.

Finished "Medallion of Hope" Design. 

Red colorway of "Medallion of Hope" being rolled out.

Lydia Whitford and Andrea Perlman

Andrea Perlman discussing the beauty of the Medallion Design. 

First Friday Finds! April 3, 2015

It's finally spring in Philadelphia! Take some much needed time out in the world to explore these exciting exhibitions!

At the Philadelphia Free Library--open 9am to 6pm
1901 Vine Street, 2nd floor
Philadelphia, PA
Free Admission.

The Krupp/Nelson Exhibition

"The exhibition in the Print and Picture Collection Hallway Gallery features experimental prints by Catherine Nelson and woodcuts and paintings by Andrea Krupp created during an artist residency in Iceland. This exhibition is part of the 2014 Call for Entries program. This project is made possible through the support of the Friends of the Print & Picture Collection and the Robert F. Looney Fund." --PW.com

Also at the Philadelphia Free Library

Philadelphia Calligrapher's Society: "The Artful Letter"

A series highlighting Fraktur, a theme for exhibition on the parkway. Fraktur is a form of manuscript folk art produced by the Pennsylvania Germans between the 1700 and 1800s, characterized by "broken" characters. The Free Library has a collection of over 1000 pieces of Fraktur folk art as well as 177 handwritten manuscripts and more than 2000 books. 

_________________________________________________________________________________

At the National Liberty Museum-- open 6pm to 8pm

321 Chestnut Street

Philadelphia, PA 19106

The Behind-the-Scenes Tour

"The glass art department at the National Liberty Museum is joining Old City District’s First Friday with a Behind-the-Scenes Tour. Join them as they explain why the Museum chose glass art to contextualize liberty and then take visitors through areas that are normally off-limits to the public to peek into the daily efforts of the glass team. These restricted spaces naturally curate themselves since there is a rotation of art coming in and out of the Museum for conservation, donation, and private viewings for interested collectors. Come learn about some of the artists that aren’t on display and ask questions about the glass collection that have never been answered."--NLM

_________________________________________________________________________________

At the Hooloon Art---open 12pm to 8:30pm
53 North 2nd Street
Philadelphia, PA  19106
Free Admission

Richard Taransky and Sandy Litchfield

A collection of paintings of using 19th century landscapes as the basis for this striking imagery! A very cool and provocative group of works. 

_________________________________________________________________________________
At the Philadelphia Sculpture Gym-- open 6pm to 9pm
1834 E. Frankford Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19125
Free Admission

PSG GALLERY: TE(A)CH

.

"These instructors do much more than just shop upkeep. They spend time working with students and commit themselves to educating the younger artists in our community, putting other’s time and artwork ahead of their own. Te(a)ch will present the artwork of these educators in a group exhibition, demonstrating that these techs are more than the title they hold. They are extraordinarily talented artists themselves!"--PSG

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Be sure to take time to walk the neighborhoods and see all of the incredible works offered for your consumption! 

Exhibitions Not to Miss: GROWTH AND FORM: GLASS AND SILK SCULPTURES · SARA BAKKEN

Tomorrow night, March 11th at 6:00pm at the National Liberty Museum (321 Chestnut Street, Phila, PA)

Sara Bakken and Eva Shelley will be participating in the first Wednesday Night Market.
From the National Liberty Museum's site: "Eva has been a long supporter of the museum and we are thrilled to have her join us in our inaugural Wednesday Night Market. She is a local freelance artist creating glass art and glass jewelry. Eva has described glass as her first love and that passion translates in her art. Both artists derive inspiration from nature; while Eva’s glass tends to take on a lot of floral forms, Sara’s leans towards the botany found underwater. Sara is a local fiber and glass artist that has been shown globally. She was also the recipient of a juried award for a scholarship to UrbanGlass during the National Liberty Museum’s 2014 GLASS NOW Auction. "

https://libertymuseum.org/calendar-of-events/wednesday-night-market-eva-shelley-sara-bakken/

Deep Sea Reef 2, 2014

Additionally, you can see Sara's work at the opening of:

GROWTH AND FORM: GLASS AND SILK SCULPTURES · SARA BAKKEN

Pink Coral, 2014

Friday, March 27th from 6-8pm

at the University City Arts League  4226 Spruce St · Philadelphia, PA 19104

Artist's Statement:
Glass is a material that naturally gives reference to the biological world. At a molten liquid state, glass has the ability to expand, contract and move. Silk is a material that is delicate, yet tough, organic and resilient. By combining these materials through a process of accumulation, these objects begin to project ideas of growth, development and reproduction. Mysterious ecosystems filled with life forms of all different shapes, sizes and colors are a common inspiration for me. They carry many properties of beauty. The world beneath the water’s shore, visions of microscopic life and clusters of fungi in a forest are all important sources in my art making. My work represents a desire for the exotic and the unknown.

This is an exciting opportunity to see the work of a textile artist who pushes the boundary of how we think of textile forms!

First Friday Finds!

Going out in Philadelphia this Friday, March 6? Here are a few exhibitions to visit!

At Pentimenti Gallery- 5:00-8:30pm
145 S 2nd Street
Philadephia, PA 19106
Free Admission.

Work of Rob De Oude

Territory of Abstraction Exhibition
This Group Show  will feature the work of artists that share an interest in geometry, color, pattern, and repetition. Yet, despite the material and optical similarities each artist approaches their work with a distinct purpose and context, commenting on a variety of subjects such as architecture, space, psychology, and illusion. When put together their work showcases the expansive nature of contemporary abstract art, and the potential content of relatively simple forms.

Featuring the work of 
Steven Baris (Painting)
Rob De Oude (Painting)
Edgar Diehl (Painting)
Gabriele Evertz (Painting)
Kevin Finklea (Painting and Sculpture)
Enrico Gomez (Painting)
Brent Hallard (Painting)
Gilberto Hsiao (Painting)
Gracia Khouw (Painting)
Joanne Mattera (Painting)
Mel Prest (Painting)
Debra Ramsey (Works on Paper)

Mel Prest, 2008, Uyo, Gouache on Fabriano Paper

____________________________________________________________________________

At: Arch Enemy Arts- 6:00-10:00pm
109 Arch St
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Free Admission.

Work of Brian Mashburn

March Showcase
Featuring the works of:

work of Rebecca Adams

100Taur
Aaron Coleman
Alex Eckman-Lawn
Alex Garant
Alyssa Scott
Bethany Casperite
Black Ink Arts
Brian Mashburn
Cai Vail
Chris Paxson
Colleen Sidey
Costa Magarakis
Erik Flores
Frank Forte
Jason Snyder
Jeremy Burks
Jessica Ward
Jim & Lynn Lemyre
Joe Menna
Julianna Menna
Kathriel Brister
Matt Tisdale
Michal Brodka
Raul Guerra
NoseGo
Rebecca Adams
Richard Lindstrom
Stephen Koharian
Valency Genis
Zach Puchowicz

_________________________________________________________________________________

At: Muse Gallery - 5:00-8:00pm
52 N. Second Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Free Admission

Diane Lachman
Portamento: shifting color
Portamento is a musical term that describes a continuous progression from one tone to another. Like a violinist who produces sounds that glide from pitch to pitch, she creates harmonious paintings by shifting colors from hue to hue. She applies oil paint onto birch panels in layers to create vibrant geometric abstractions.

Diane Lachman

_________________________________________________________________________________

At: House Gallery 1816- 6:00pm-9:00pm
1816 Frankford Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19125
Free Admission

Justin Duerr

The Geometry of Time

Justin Duerrs work deals with life-forms, dualities and transcendent states. His intricate pen and ink scroll drawings are ongoing installments. There are currently 22 panels and spanning over 60 feet. If he should have forewarning and is able, he hopes to make a final scroll before his death which will connect to the first panel culminating in a huge cycloramic image of his experiences and thoughts.

“If I’m afforded enough time to work on it, I may be able to finish hundreds of feet of this work, and the story arc and characters should be able to prevent many actual real-world disasters in the future by subtle/strange influence. In the meantime, the discipline of the art-activity is creating and shaping me into someone fit to serve the forces I am delineating.“

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Here are just of the few amazing things going on around the city this Friday. Take some time and check them out!

Links to more information about goings on:

In Liquid Artists Displaying Around Philadelphia

EventBrite Links to Philadelphia Events this weekend

UWishUNu Philadelphia, Art for the month of March

New York Times documents beautiful local textile mills.

New York Times documents beautiful local textile mills. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/12/magazine/fruits-of-the-loom.html?_r=3