If you live in Philadelphia, you’re probably familiar with some of the popular areas within the city limits. South Street, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Independence Hall, the Franklin Institute, the Philadelphia Zoo, and the shops along Chestnut and Walnut Streets are all definitely worth a few visits, but there’s much more excitement to be had throughout Philadelphia. This city is huge and worthy of some serious exploration - so show it some brotherly love!

The Art Scene

If you’re an art aficionado living in Philadelphia, you probably already know all about First Friday. If not, time to change the error of your ways. During the first Friday evening of every month, 40-plus art galleries throughout Old City open their doors, rain or shine, allowing art fans to circulate, sampling free cheese and wine and checking out the local art scene.

Currently, the Painted Bride Art Center is presenting The First Person Festival of Memoir & Documentary Art, which runs from Nov. 3 until Nov. 8. Authors Rita Mae Brown and A.J. Jacobs will be attending, and the festival culminates with the annual “Grand Slam,” a competition to find the best storyteller in Philly.

The Painted Bride Art Center also has two new exhibitions opening on Nov. 6, the first Friday of the month, which will run until Dec. 18.

Another gallery located in the Old City/Northern Liberties area is Art Star, which functions as part boutique, part art gallery. Described by Philadelphia magazine as “the city’s first cutting-edge craft shop,” Art Star features work by emerging artists and debuts new exhibitions every six weeks. Most recently, Art Star featured work by famous artist Kurt Halsey, who came to the exhibition’s premiere. Beginning Nov. 7 and running until the end of 2009, Art Star will showcase its annual holiday show, featuring handmade ornaments and cards on sale.

If museums, not galleries, strike your fancy, check out the Institute of Contemporary Art, located next to Urban Outfitters on S. 36th Street. Admission is free, and the museum’s “Whenever Wednesday” series offers fascinating programs, free refreshments, and an opportunity to talk to artists up-close and personal. On Nov. 18 at 7 p.m., the ICA will present cinematic classics Top Hat and Singin’ in the Rain, which will be preceded by a Fred Astaire versus Gene Kelly debate; Drexel English professor Paula Marantz Cohen will co-host the presentation.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art will hold its 33rd annual craft show from Nov. 12 until the 15th, featuring work from 195 of the best craft artists throughout the country. For the first time in the craft show’s history, artists from Korea will be displaying their work. The event will be held at the Philadelphia Convention Center.

The unseen art scene is clearly thriving in Philadelphia. If you love art, there’s something to savor nearly every day. But art is only the beginning. Look for my future coverage of more unseen Philly scenes, including food, movies, and music from around the city.

Julia Perch is a junior at Drexel University studying English. She is currently the editorial co-op student for the Drexel Publishing Group and the managing editor of DPG Online. She can be reached at pg@drexel.edu

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