|
|
|
Queen Village Art Center has all the bases covered — in colorful marker, paint or blank drawing paper. Even the mirrors, which line the walls of the first floor children’s workshop, are fair game. They’re decorated with the budding creations of young students and, as founder and director Jill Markovitz explains, “We are all about exploring art. If you are constantly focusing on producing the perfect product, you miss the fun in exploring along the way.”
The Art Center, a sister branch of Fairmount Art Center, is in the former home of Philadelphia AIDS 
Thrift Store. With the help of architect Salerno Ziegler, Markovitz says they “completely gutted the place,” redesigning and remodeling the spot to provide an optimal creative atmosphere. For those who might have visited the previous location, cramped with long, disorganized racks, the renovations are enlightening, literally.
Large glass windows invite natural sunlight to the front studios, large workshops are suitable for adequate table space and spacious hallways of the gallery allow students and visitors to peruse the progress being made each day.
As Markovitz says, “We purposely designed it this way so that students can hear and see all parts of the artistic process.” As their mission supports, the more they see, the more they can explore. “These kids are full of creative ideas, we just try to hone in on what’s developmentally appropriate for the curriculum.”
Classes have already commenced and to prove it, gallery walls are filling up with abstract paintings; deep, custom-made sinks are filled with paintbrushes; and easels in the adult art studio hold impressive examples of first-class sketches.
The 3000+ square foot Art Center officially opens its doors this weekend, complete with a ribbon cutting ceremony, lots of pizza, and a full-on Mummer’s parade. All are welcome to attend and support the new art venue on the block. As Markovitz says, “We saw at our Fairmount Center how we were filling up all the classes and since we are all about community, we wanted to bring our program to a new cool neighborhood.”
Sun., Nov. 13, 1-5 p.m. Queen Village Art Center, 514 Bainbridge St. 215-756-ARTS, phillyartcenter.com.
Photos by Josh Middleton and Jill Markovitz
- Activism
- Arts
- — Arts Events
- — Books
- — Dance
- — First Person Fest
- — Last Chance
- — Museum
- — On the Fringe
- — Philly Artists
- — The Curator
- — Theater
- — Visual Art
- — Arts News
- — Artist Profile
- — Arts Preview
- — Street Art
- Been There, Done That
- Big Ups
- Comedy
- — LOL With It
- — Stand-up
- Critical Mass
- DVD
- Events
- Friday Fill-in
- Ice Cubes
- In Memoriam
- Interview
- Just Do It
- Just Opened
- Kaleidoscopic
- LGBTQ
- — Art Phag
- Mailbag
- Movies
- — Film Fest
- — Movie Review
- — On set
- — Scenester
- — screening
- — trailer!
- Music
- — 10 Track Mind
- — Album
- — Album Review
- — Concert Review
- — DJs
- — Local Support
- — Now Hear This
- — One Track Mind
- — Philly Bands
- — Show
- — Somebody Else Was There
- — Song
- — The Showdown
- — concert photos
- — jazz
- — DJ Nights Blogged
- Night Watch
- Now See This
- Poetic License
- Printed Matter
- Radio
- Shopping
- — Coveted
- — Fashion
- — What We Heart
- TV
- — 24
- — Idol Hands
- — Mad Men
- — ProjRun
- — True Blood
- — Useless Lost Recaps
- — Couch Potato
- — Shore Trash
- — Turned ONN
- — TopMod
- Video Games
- — Free Online Game
- — PSP
- — PlayStation 2
- — The 1-Upper
- — Wii
- Web Junk
- — CAGE MATCH
- — Free Online Toy
- Weekend Omnibus
- Win
- May
- April
- March
- February
- January
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
- November 2007
- October 2007
- September 2007
- August 2007
- July 2007
