One of my favorite places to visit. The art work is eclectic and beautiful with a Philadelphia…read moreedge. There are plenty of affordable pieces and prints for purchase. I have purchased many unique items such as jewelry and frames that are true works of art and ALWAYS elicit compliments and intrigue.

I first found out about Cerulean Gallery when they hosted an event for the Sustainable Business…read moreNetwork, a meet and greet. The space was lovely; completely renovated, stock full of unique goods. I'm a bargain shopper, and I wasn't planning on shopping, but when I saw the prices I decided it was time to restock my stash of gifts. They had handmade journals, vases, bags, jewelry, etc., including many items from upcycled and or sustainable materials. In the front is an art gallery that shows really phenomenal work. I highly recommend checking this place out.

This is a unique and evergreen venue that adapts to whatever artist / act / DJ / event is…read moreexhibiting within its walls. Such a gem right off the Spring Garden stop, I attended a fantastic mixed poetry reading and open mic night back in October. They have two levels and there's bathrooms at the back and a couple of different ways to set up seats. The stage itself is the perfect size for a DJ setup or smaller show. I look forward to the next time I get to go back and support this eclectic spot - an obvious haven for artists and the entire scene here in Philly. Stay up to date via their Instagram and website - in all likelihood this spot will have something eye catching programed on any given week. Get there and support this institution and Philly artists!

Love what it used to be, and especially love what it is now!…read more If you've attended a Mad Decent Block Party prior to the one that happened at the Piazza this year then you might be well aware of the mausoleum that used to be Diplo's temple of sound. And when he moved on the expand the Mad Decent name to other parts of the US he sold it to a group who aimed to create an incredible DIY forum for art and music. The end result delivers quite well on both fronts. It makes for a good all ages shows. And Since it used to be the studio of an exceptional DJ/Producer who knew more than a thing or two about sound (http://youtu.be/N5_vYkYPP08) it goes without saying that it might get loud. So earplugs may be recommended least you find yourself saying Its All Gone Pete Tong (http://youtu.be/g5K6pIez5P4). When PhilaMOCA isn't showcasing some incredible music its open for some pretty eclectic art viewings. And it works with plenty of collectives that are well versed in combining the 2 scenarios. You also might have some good reason to attend this Halloween season ;)

One of my favorite galleries in Philadelphia…read more Paradigm is run by two really nice artists who like to create a forum for other artists. They always impress me with their artist selections and the medium is always changing. Can't afford something on the wall? Check the print section for a great keepsake.

I happened to walk past Paradigm Gallery + Studio on Saturday when I was walking around Old City. I…read morelooked their large glass windows on the front of the building and decided to pop in to see what I could tell from outside was quite fun and colorful and playful art. I'm sure the artists they're showing changes, but the art when I visited was youthful and fun. It perhaps wasn't quite to my taste for purchasing, but I enjoyed seeing what they were exhibiting. They also had small shop area for making purchases beyond he art they had displayed. A fun stop whether you're in the market for some art or not.

Fortunately I just found out that this place stills exists, Because the whole street that it used…read moreto be on is currently being revamped big time. now the address is 319 North 11th Street, 3rd Floor Philadelphia, PA 19107. it's Gallery hours are Wednesday-Sunday 12-6pm and they usually have a lot of good alternative arts. They have a special First Friday viewing that's open to the public from 6-11 PM. Although Vox has been in three different buildings, it has been a non-profit art collective that has supported emerging artists since 1988. so it's good to here that it's still going strong. The Vox on Cherry street had an occasional concert. so maybe this one will too, but it's too soon to tell.

Always fun to see what's going on at Vox... the exhibits range from powerful to silly, thoughtful…read moreto bizarre. You can spend between an hour or more depending on how much you delve into the work. Don't forget that the 2nd floor also has galleries as well. An interesting date spot too.

Jane Gallery is one of those small galleries that really stands out. It focuses heavily on women…read moreartists and a lot of the exhibitions center around identity, culture, and lived experiences. Like most galleries, it clearly has its own curatorial style and the artists they invite reflect that. Here, the focus tends to be on representation, storytelling, and work that explores womanhood from different perspectives. I went for Philly first Fridays, and right now the exhibit is centered on women's bodies for Women's History Month. The pieces are powerful but still very tastefully done. Some works are intimate and vulnerable, others more bold and expressive. There's also a mix of mediums like painting, mixed media, and sculptural pieces, which keeps the space interesting. Last time I visited, they had a South Asian focused exhibit that really showcased culture and identity in a beautiful way. It's nice seeing a space consistently highlight artists and perspectives that are often underrepresented. Finding the gallery is part of the adventure. It's tucked down a small alleyway and you follow the pink lights to get there. It might look a little sketchy at first, but once you step inside you realize it's actually a hidden gem. They also had a make your own goddess craft activity during this visit. I am definitely not great at crafts but it was fun and made the experience feel interactive rather than just walking through and looking at art. Small space, but definitely not to be underestimated. The vibe is thoughtful, creative, and very welcoming. Definitely worth checking out.

With First Friday right around the corner its the perfect time to drop a review for another…read moredeserving Old City Art Gallery! I had no idea that Jane Gallery existed before Ministry of Awe started collaborating with other local galleries to mapped out a First Friday Tour. And from the moment that I walked through the almost hidden alleyway and entered the pink string lit door I was hooked! The owner, Alison Mustokoff, is fully committed to displaying art made by female and queer artists (https://6abc.com/videoClip/the-jane-gallery-nataliya-yermolenko-female-artists-queer/16022668/) and their main gallery caters to a featured artist each month. toss in things like a themed cocktail and a chance to meet with the artists, and the receptions feel like a big deal. In addition to art gallery viewings Jane also features things like drawing workshops and yoga on occasions which makes checking their Instagram for events a must (https://www.instagram.com/thejanegallery/).

The venerable Print Center of Philadelphia is celebrating its 100th birthday in 2015. Special…read moreexhibitions in honor of this anniversary are taking place in the gallery spaces at the charming Print Center itself as well as other cultural institutions in Philadelphia such as the Philadelphia Museum of Art. They def are worth seeing. And if you're on the lookout to purchase art, the store in the Print Center always has a lot of things on offer. Here's hoping for another 100 years from the Print Center as one of the driving cultural institutions on the Philadelphia scene!

Looking to plan a small non-traditional wedding in Center City on a budget? Give Ashley a call at…read morethe Print Center to get more info and schedule a tour. While we ultimately decided to go with a different venue, Ashley was extremely responsive and a pleasure to talk with. The Print Center is a two story gallery space and can serve up to 80 people, however we felt that it would best fit a group of 50 or less. Because of the primary nature of the space & the age of the building dancing is not allowed, but the upstairs galleries would be perfect for a small dinner or cocktail reception. The store in the back of the first floor has quite a collection of contemporary prints for sale, and unique cards, books, and gifts. The current exhibition - ephemeral sprawl part one was expertly displayed. I look forward to visiting when the second part of the exhibition is up this Spring.

A great spot for cute & locally created/produced gifts! They also have a rewards program which is…read moreuseful being that prices for locally made goods & products are understandably higher. I've purchased plenty of cards here, some of them are hilarious! Service is kind and helpful.

If emojis were an appropriate form of review - I would give VIX all the heart-eyed emojis in the…read moreworld. I love this place dearly, and am so happy it's such a fixture in my neighborhood. VIX is my go-to for all of my greeting cards. For the same price point as a standard Hallmark greeting card, VIX allows me to support independent, local artists who produce cards that are much more unique and of a higher quality. I also loooove the jewelry display case that's filled with beautiful hand-crafted necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. There are so many options for gifts - it's the perfect place to shop for the holidays, birthdays, or "just because." Extra bonus - free gift wrapping!

Fantastic space, even better mission and lots of thought provoking events that we need in these…read morethoughtless times.

We attended a wedding reception on the top floor (third) of the Asian Arts Initiative ("AAI") and…read morehad a great time. The AAI is located in Philadelphia's Chinatown North (Callowhill) neighborhood, attached to a Best Western Plus which was perfect for wedding guests. The center sits on Vine which parallels I-676. It has nice views of the downtown Philly skyline to east and south, especially from the top floor. The AAI is a nonprofit organization. It serves as a community center with an art gallery, workshops, meeting spaces, and theater. The art gallery is located on the first floor and is open weekdays, 10am-6pm. The organization is inclusive, works to promote racial equity, and encourages discourse about the Asian-American experience. Like many buildings in Center City, the AAI building is old and creaky. There are both stairs and an elevator. The stairwell on the lower level had a funky, sewer-like smell. The stairwell had cool, colorful murals. The wedding reception took over pretty much the entire third floor space. The open layout had all-white walls and wood (or wood laminate) flooring. The ceiling was decorated in string lights, there was ambient blue and purple lighting up some of the walls, and six windows provided views facing south towards city skyscrapers. There were white tablecloths, candles and flowers, white folding chairs, bar and catering stations set up along the perimeter by Chef's Table Catering of Philadelphia (https://www.yelp.com/biz/chefs-table-catering-philadelphia), a DJ, sound and lighting system, and photo booth. The ductwork was exposed and generally, the room had a sort of loft or factory feel to it. The reception went off without a hitch. Dinner flowed well, sound was good for mics and music, and lighting was dimmed/turned off for dancing. The reception ran from 6pm to 9pm. During this time, the front door to the center, which otherwise would have been closed, was open. There was a lady stationed at the front desk and she was helpful. The floor was a little warm. I'm not sure if the AC was working or not. There were two restrooms. At this event, they were designated one per sex though I think normally, they're gender-neutral. The ladies got the multi-stall restroom while the guys got the single-stall restroom. This caused a backup for the guys at one point. I think we could have also used restrooms on the other two floors if we had to.