A nondescript building on a nondescript street corner, the building at 319 North 11th Street is usually easy to miss. Not tonight. Every First Friday, the crumbling former factory can be identified by the menagerie of arts-types bustling in and out. Located in Philly's desolate Callowhill neighbourhood (just north of Chinatown), the building is home to dozens of artist collective and studios, which open their doors on the first Friday of the month to join in the citywide arty party.
First Friday coincides with the exhibition openings at many gallery spaces in the building. Check out the opening at the artist collective Vox Populi on the third floor: today's the first day of their new exhibition featuring four contemporary artists. Included is Doreen Garner’s work described as “RAP CULTURE, FEMINISM, CRAFT, PATHOLOGY, IDENTITY, FETISH, RACE, SEXUALITY and BEAUTY.” All good things. The six smaller collectives on the floor below will also be unveiling new work tonight, as well as the maze of open studios and makeshift galleries that can be found on every floor up to the building’s sixth storey.
Like every good party, the galleries open on First Friday celebrate life with festive amounts of Spicy Nacho Doritos and alcohol. Drink warm red wine and PBR with the sexy paint-splattered and man-bunned kids of the Philly art scene.
The building is located between two of our city’s landmarks: it’s a five minute walk from Chinatown and down the block from the Trestle Inn, an old school whiskey and go-go bar. Sandwich your visit between hand-pulled noodles at Nan Zhou and whiskey sours at Trestle (PS one of their go-go dancers is a Penn sophomore: ooh la la!)
Happy First Friday everyone! Shake it like a polaroid photo.
