Candace Karch

Bambi Gallery

by Monica Weymouth

Michael T. Regan

The neon lights of Bambi Gallery spill an unexpected puddle of hot pink across Frankford Avenue. While some parts of Fishtown have long been glowing in post-Johnny Brenda's trendy glory, this particular stretch remains lined with dilapidated buildings, abandoned factories and glass-strewn sidewalks. "Pink makes everything look good," reasons Candace Karch, the woman behind the fluorescent nook.

Candace — it's pronounced Can-DAY-Sah, as her frilly business cards will attest — has been illuminating Frankford Avenue since October 2005. After studying and working in Paris and California, the native Philadelphian returned home to open a space of her own. Fishtown, with its emerging arts scene and cheap property, seemed the natural place for the then-37-year-old artist to both work and live. Once she had a name — the image of the young deer has long been with her — the rest fell into place.

Part consignment shop, part art gallery, Bambi gives up-and-coming locals a hand while also attracting well-established artists. T-shirts by Philly-based artist Jeff Kilpatrick, jewelry by quickly rising designer Aileen Abercrombie and enough cheap purses, scarves and pins to satisfy the most severe vintage cravings line a cluster of bookshelves. Bimonthly shows have featured postcards by Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo fame and psychedelic urban prints by local T-shirt guru Outlaw Print Co. "I love people with gimmicks," she says of her unconventional shows. "I show what I like, there aren't any rules."

This philosophy surfaces in her own work, which she sells in the consignment area and makes a point to display in a full show at least once a year. Although her degree from the University of the Arts is in photography, she has recently been making X-ray light boxes and colorful decoupage belt buckles. "It's all tongue-in-cheek," she says of one design featuring a clip from a Mexican pulp-fiction magazine. "I don't take this seriously."

In the midst of playful art and vintage goodies, Candace perfectly plays the part of a warm, eccentric host. On my first visit, after chatting about shoe boutiques, she insisted I take a Vitaminwater before heading back into the early summer heat. Perched behind a glass counter full of Bambi statues and memorabilia (the gifts have been pouring in since opening), she greets each visitor warmly, readily offers a personal tour and is happy to bitch about the oppressive Philly summer she is all too familiar with. "We should all just take our clothes off," she suggested on a recent muggy afternoon at the gallery when her air conditioning wasn't on.

Clearly entrenched in the neighborhood, she quickly suggests nearby apartments to those in the market and has a list of recommendations if you're looking for dinner, coffee or drinks after leaving.

And she should know — she's as involved in the local food scene as she is in art. She's worked at "every damn restaurant you can imagine" at some point, and now tends bar at Johnny Brenda's. (Look for her Tuesday nights downstairs.)

Not surprisingly, First Friday openings at Bambi are anything but quiet wine-and-cheese affairs. Anyone who makes the trek to Candace's corner of Fishtown is treated to a proper party, complete with a fully stocked open bar in the backyard. This month, after running across the crowded room to say hello, she directed me out back to meet her father, who was tending bar for the night. Although almost 70, he was handing out champagne punch and working his daughter's incredibly diverse guests like a pro. Instead of a stuffy gallery crowd, this party included longtime friends, neighbors, children and random passers-by.

And yet, things at Bambi are not always lively. Three significant miles from the Old City gallery scene and the revitalized NoLibs shopping and restaurant district, business is slow during the week and fails to match the enthusiastic support that friends, colleagues and the press have shown. Instead of moving to a more profitable area, Candace has joined forces with the New Kensington Community Development Association. Along with neighbors Rocket Cat, Circle Thrift and Germ Books, Bambi is part of the Frankford Avenue Arts Corridor Plan, an initiative to increase commercial space along the forgotten stretch and make it a destination.

In an effort to further increase awareness about the neighborhood, Candace opens up the gallery for cocktail parties and occasional theater performances. "People say, 'You're pioneering Fishtown,' but I don't think of it like that," she says. "I live here, and I want to see it happen."

So what's next for this spunky space and its feisty owner? Currently, the trippy work of Terrence Laragoine and Derek Myers lines the walls with toys, ice cream cones and boxes full of photographs and other treasures. Joni Mitchell tops the wish list for future shows, of which Candace is determined there will be many. "When it happens, it's going to be great," she says of her developing neighborhood. "And then we can talk about the good old days, when we sat around in our shops and no one came in."