The Arthur Ross Gallery presents dynamic art exhibitions throughout the year, and all are welcome…read moreto enjoy the shows for free! The gallery is a quiet, meditative space during the average day, but the openings are lively and fun. Love this place!

The Ross Gallery almost always seems to have an interesting exhibition. Right now is one of their…read morebest - The famous Thomas Evans Collection is finally again on public view. Dr. Thomas Evans of Philadelphia was one of the world's foremost dentists and the dentist to Emperor Napoleon III and his wife Empress Eugenie. In fact it was his carriage that rescued Empress Eugenie after the revolt following France's devastating defeat in the Franco-Prussian War and whisked her away from the Paris mobs. (That carriage has finally been brought back to Philadelphia from France and is on view at the Penn Dental School.) This exhibition is a must for anyone interested in the arts and history of the Second Empire. Hey and while you're at the Ross, take the opportunity to visit the next door Furness Fine Arts Library. This is one of North America's most beautiful libraries!

Honestly, I had no idea this place existed until I saw it advertised and decided to check it out…read more I'm glad I did because it ended up being one of the more unique museums I've visited in Philadelphia. It's a relatively small and intimate space. The first floor has a gift shop and an area for workshops and activities, while the galleries are spread throughout the building. When I visited, the first-floor exhibition featured quilts, while the upstairs gallery focused more on themes of American culture. Both were fantastic. The quilt exhibition was probably a traveling show, and I absolutely loved it. I know several quilting enthusiasts, so I have at least some appreciation for how much time, patience, and technical skill goes into creating these pieces. Some of them felt less like blankets and more like full-scale tapestries. The level of detail, color work, and craftsmanship was incredible. The upstairs exhibition had a much stronger political and social commentary element, which I personally enjoyed. Art doesn't have to exist solely to be beautiful or entertaining. It can challenge ideas, express opinions, document experiences, and start conversations. I appreciated that the museum embraced that side of art rather than shying away from it. One of the coolest parts was the workshop area downstairs. There was a small market set up and plenty of people actively crafting and creating things. For a moment I wanted to join in, but the space was packed. Then I watched what everyone was making and quickly realized these people were good. Very good. At that point I remembered I was in a fabric museum and workshop and that my own sewing abilities are... let's politely call them limited. The only thing that felt a little awkward was how often the museum reminded visitors about the recommended donation. I completely understand why. Free museums need support, and I have no issue contributing. It just came up enough times that I started feeling a little self-conscious about it. I was already planning to donate on my way out, but repeated reminders always make me feel slightly uncomfortable even when I understand the reason behind them. Overall, this was a wonderful surprise. Thought-provoking exhibitions, beautiful craftsmanship, active creative spaces, and a welcoming atmosphere. If you're interested in textiles, contemporary art, or just want to discover a museum that's a little different from the usual Philadelphia lineup, it's definitely worth a visit.

Popped in to thaw my dawgs and was greeted by a lovely giftshop. Lots of gorgeous prints and…read morejewlerly made by local artists and my favorite-- free postcards!! I was hoping to see the workshop, but the day I went only the 1st floor exhibits and the 8th floors were open to the public. I recently got back into sewing, so this was a great opportunity to explore new ways fabric has been used for expression.

I really enjoy PII Gallery. It's a tasteful space and one I try to stop by when doing Philly First…read moreFridays. Every gallery tends to have its own style and the artists they choose to showcase usually follow that vibe. This one leans toward pop art as well, but in a more modern direction. The current exhibit had a lot of influences from the 2010s and early 2020s. Think bold lines, playful shapes, layered graphics, and pieces that feel almost like they could jump off the wall. There were definitely some doodle inspired works too, very reminiscent of artists like Mr Doodle. Lots of movement, packed compositions, and that fun chaotic energy where the whole canvas is filled with characters, patterns, and little details. Overall just a really fun gallery to walk through. Cleanly curated, visually engaging, and a nice contrast to some of the more traditional gallery spaces nearby.

Now that a friend has an incredible art display up throughout this month, it feels like a good…read moreopportunity to review an eclectic art gallery that does a great job of curating a blend of local and international artists throughout the year. For the past 30+ years the owner of PII has held true to their Eastern European roots and American contemporary art connections to bring in an eclectic amount of artists who deal with textile design, printmaking, painting, sculpture, photography, and then some. And that Philly and foreign artist connection is exactly why PII stands for the Philadelphia International Institute. As a result one month you might come across textiles and sculptures from a Ukrainian artist, and on another you might find a noteworthy show from a renowned Philly artist like Natalie Hope McDonald (https://www.instagram.com/p/DPKTxVlkSnU/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==). No matter what your guaranteed to find an eclectic selection of artists! March features an Decipher (https://www.instagram.com/p/DUnzHikjqjm/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==), a solo show from Philly pop artist, Alloyius Mcilwaine (https://www.instagram.com/culturesclothing/), who is known for his bold compositions, layered geometry, and street-influenced aesthetic, Mcilwaine introduces audiences to "Kudoglyphs" --a symbolic system of positive affirmations expressed through abstract forms. You might have seen him live paint during Wu-Tang Clan's final Philly performance, design a game day poster for the Philadelphia Eagles, or design art for Tyler the Creator; and that was just last year. So if your looking to see some vibrant pop art popping in during their regular hours is a must!

Seraphin Gallery is conveniently located in Center City. It always seems to have good shows and…read morethere are of a variety - I never know what will be there next! Anyone interested in art, contemporary or 20th century, should visit Seraphin.

Very nice gallery space and lots of great art. However, the man that runs the gallery is rude-only…read morespeaks to certain people and ignores others. He's ignored a couple serious potential buyers.

This free museum is a hidden gem. It's located in the middle of the historic district. It has lots…read moreof cool science exhibits that interest both adults and kids. Be sure to check out the Lunchtime exhibit that is all about the science and history behind school lunches . The museum is on the smaller side. It can be explored in an hour or two. The staff are super nice and knowledgeable. The museum hosts lots of events too! First Friday events are free. Exhibit openings and other events also happen through the year and are usually free.

Free!! It's only about one floor of stuff with a ton of scientific history where you can browse and…read morelearn the origins of each invention. Free admission! Nice bathrooms!!!

The Tiberino family are an incredible family of artists. it was founded in 1999 in honor of Ellen,…read morethe family's mother and wife. it is also one of West Philadelphia's little known treasures. it doesn't look like a museum from the entrance but when you walk into the outdoor courtyard you instantly step foot into a surreal place with art that literally jumps out at you and almost comes to life. the indoor galleries also house rooms that are filled with plenty of elaborate religious and political fueled imagery. the majority is painted by members of the family. go for the art first and foremost. But the museum has a movie night every Wednesday this summer. and you do not want to miss Carnivolution every Second Friday. this is when The Hydrogen Jukebox puts on a concert circus sideshow that you will not believe.

This is another Magic Garden of Philadelphia but somehow hidden from the public…read more I hope more people get to know here, but at the same time I love this place because it is a sacred space for artists and true art lovers.

An ad for this museum came up in my Instagram feed and I'm glad it did. I put it on my list when I…read morewas visiting Philly recently. This is more like a house than a museum and the walls are filled with art from top names in the art world. I had a very nice but rushed visit cause I was trying to visit the Philly art museum before it closed as well. Next time I'll take more time. Cezanne, Manet and Picasso. The staff was nice to deal with too.

Beautiful museum- the tickets are pricey but it's a great experience. We loved their collection of…read moreMatisse and Renoir paintings. There's also a great temporary exhibit running through August of 2026 called Freedom Dreams on the main level that's very moving.

I have personally visited and acquired art from this gallery…read more But, don't let the gallery name, Works on Paper, deceive you in to thinking that this venue offers only drawings and prints. The gallery also has a diverse inventory of original paintings and sculptural objects. And, there is no reason to travel to Chelsea, NY as the gallery specializes in emerging and contemporary art in a spectrum of both media and artistic styles. The space is conveniently located in the heart of Philadelphia at Rittenhouse Square amid the bustle of Walnut Street, directly above American Apparel. The gallery space is large and open with natural light and a constantly changing exhibition of contemporary masters (Andy Warhol, Richard Serra, Chuck Close, Richard Diebenkorn, James Rosenquist, Jasper Johns, Sean Scully and Sol Lewitt, et al) and contemporary artists whose name and history should be more household but is more broadly museum-based (e.g., Toby Kahn). According to the the gallery owner, Works on Paper publishes, distributes and trades important Print editions and is also vested in developing the next generation of important artists ranging from abstract to street-based to post modern landscapes to architectural interiors, all in a variety of media. The gallerist, Evan Slepian, is ideally suited for his profession - he is immediately likeable, recognizably passionate, intellectually knowledgeable and connected to the American and European art community. Mr. Slepian is conversant on the subject of his art and artists without being condescending and his pricing is comparatively reasonable with fine and collectible art ranging from offerings of a few hundred dollars to a million plus. This top floor gallery is a top notch space with inventory worth exploring like any great public, private or museum collection. Keep your eyes open when visiting, it's easy to be overwhelmed and miss an exotic desktop object or small canvas casually placed as if in your private home. Highest of recommendations.

This is such a great gallery!…read more It's in a prime location in Rittenhouse Square, right next to the Apple Store and above American Apparel. It's easy to miss it as it's on the top floor, but once you find it, you'll be happy you did. Lots of interesting artwork there, and displayed very well. Even the restrooms are adorned with some gems - including a few Shepard Fairey pieces you can't help but love.