Time Is Short

The days may be growing longer, little by little, since Winter Solstice arrived early last Saturday morning. But that won’t help slow the hourglass emptying on our phenomenal WE ARE FAMILY show, which ends after Friday. 2024’s year-ending juried exhibition is the first in an occasional series of show we will be mounting in support of the still-grieving UArts/PCA community, robbed of their institution at the end of May. It has left a huge vacuum in our neighborhood and in the world of Philly arts and our region’s higher education infrastructure. Happily, these past six weeks have been all about 39 alumni and former faculty, administrators and staff and their 68 works. As summed up by this show’s tagline: Our university may be gone. But our art and our hearts stay strong.

JULIE WOODARD MA’15, S’10–24
“The Bridge”
16 x 21 framed
repurposed linen, cotton, silk, leather, merino, polyester, paper, upholstery blends, felted wool, denim, cork and sashiko thread
700.

Coming Together

November promises to be a month where unity wins out. First, we all have to stand together and VOTE tomorrow. Then, we are going to rally and reunite the alumni and former staff and faculty of UArts/PCA. Carrying out this work are the 38 individuals we proudly list above. They are the artists of WE ARE FAMILY, chosen by a UArts jury from nearly 200 entries. They are the ambassadors not of a former alma mater or employer, ignominiously stripped away, but of a singular, resilient community, stretched across generations and dedicated to the pursuit of art and art-making. CONGRATULATIONS to all of you and welcome (and welcome back) to OFF THE WALL! Art will always prevail, and together we will prove just that. Our show goes up Saturday, November 16…will immediately be open for shopping…and will have its Opening Reception Thursday, November 21, 7-10 PM. 

What to Do with One More Hour

On the day we celebrate that dollop of extra time and the rare ability to sleep in a bit without really sleeping in, we come to you with a proposal for using the 60 minutes gained to great advantage. NATALIE HOPE MCDONALD, one of our most popular creatives and the force behind TOGETHER AND BY OURSELVES, her bravura solo show that continues for another dozen days (through 11/15), will deliver a long-anticipated ARTIST TALK TODAY (11/3) at 3:00. Join us then, with Heather Raquel Phillips behind the bar...and then come back in another 28 hours or so for tomorrow’s ELECTION EVE RALLY, hosted by Sarah Dunmire Eisenstein, featuring — you guessed it — Natalie’s original, one-night-only art, which you can buy or win. She’s the artist for OFF THE WALL/DIRTY FRANK’S as we seek to end the Drama-la and elect Kamala. Now, out of your Pajama-las and see if there’s any Jicama-la on the brunch menu. Like our candidate, it’s good for you!

NATALIE HOPE MCDONALD
“Something Good”
4 x 4
acrylic and oil on canvas
75.

One Week Out

The stakes have never been higher. Your vote has never meant more. We are pleased to announce that NATALIE HOPE MCDONALD, whose solo show happily dominates our Wall and 3D space, will follow up her artist talk on Sunday 11/3 (3-4 PM) with a stint as special guest artist at our Election Eve GOTV Rally the next day: Monday 11/4 (7-10 PM). More details soon. Forward together! #Wearenotgoingback.

Natalie Talks

Sunday, November 3 offers a unique opportunity to connect with and hear from one of our esteemed artists. In this case, NATALIE HOPE MCDONALD, the creative force behind TOGETHER AND BY OURSELVES, will be speaking to her prodigious solo show, which runs through November 15. A fan favorite and the top-selling artist in OFF THE WALL history, Natalie will give her talk starting at 3 PM. As with all DIRTY FRANK’S events, everyone is welcome. Listen, learn and meet the artist. And should you wish to lift a glass to this groundbreaking show, 138 works strong, HEATHER RAQUEL PHILLIPS will be on hand to pour your favorite beverages. We look forward to seeing you there!

(pictured on the poster)
NATALIE HOPE MCDONALD
“Inside My Favorite Bar in the Afternoon (A Portrait of Dirty Frank’s)”
acrylic, oil and pencil on canvas
3500.

10 Days to Enter, One Community to Celebrate

When UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS shut down, we knew we had to be all about opening a new door. Alas, we cannot connect former students to education, alumni to an alma mater or faculty to new teaching positions. But it is well within our power to create a show that celebrates their art, boundless creativity and shared spirit — even if their school is but a memory and its buildings relegated to reuse that will probably be anything but arts education. Enter WE ARE FAMILY: our juried show for all members of the UArts/PCA (Philadelphia College of Art) community. We are extending the entry deadline a second time, through MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, to ensure as many as possible can submit work to our jury. Their decisions will be shared with entering artists by November 7 and accepted artwork needs to be delivered on Saturday, November 16. If you are not associated with UArts/PCA, no doubt you know someone who is. Share this opportunity so we can share more great art — and remember fondly the vitality that once lived right around the corner from us, at Broad and Pine.

When You're Having More than One

A master of graphic art, NATALIE HOPE MCDONALD leverages the power of words at nearly every turn. Equally compelling, she examines the cultural context in which words are delivered — both in her mark-making and materials. The artist’s groundbreaking solo show, TOGETHER AND BY OURSELVES, entering its final month (its final day is 11/15, before coming down on 11/16), may limit Natalie’s graphic work to our 3D space...but that hardly confines it. The installation is turning heads just as much as her stunning Wall of paintings. Both call for your attention. Right away. (In this case, it’s perfectly fine to OBEY!)

NATALIE HOPE MCDONALD
“Do Not Obey”
mixed media
200.

The Fine Art of Democracy

THE FINE ART OF DEMOCRACY: Several times over the next few precious weeks, we as a community — DIRTY FRANK’S and OFF THE WALL — are going to #standup for, and make more accessible, our sacred right to VOTE. This is a moment for our community, city, Commonwealth and nation to defend and preserve democracy...or to risk losing it altogether. Our grassroots activities begin with tonight’s REGISTRATION DRIVE on SARAH DUNMIRE EISENSTEIN’s bar, 6-10 PM. Come to make sure you’re registered, to register anew or for the first time, and to bring your friends and neighbors to do the same. Then three weeks from tonight, we will rally to GET OUT THE VOTE. In between, you’ll notice that your beverages will be on coasters like these, reminding you that you have an obligation on November 5. For freedom, for America, for our future. We’ll drink to that!

Go Fish

We’d love to welcome you to OFF THE WALL/DIRTY FRANK’S tomorrow night, SEPTEMBER 26, 7-10 PM, as we officially raise the curtain on TOGETHER and by ourselves, the new solo show from NATALIE HOPE MCDONALD. The 72 works pictured here — and installed by curator JODY SWEITZER with a possible nod to the life aquatic — are only a little more than half of the 138 paintings and 3D works on display! The artist will of course be in the house. Plus, we’ll offer the usual amenities of any OPENING RECEPTION: great conversation, company and jukebox music, as well as light hors d’oeuvres and your fave drinks poured by ROSE COSSABONE. See you there!

Art for All, All Day Long

Combine the amazing new show from NATALIE HOPE MCDONALD, 138 works strong, with the community members now preparing to bring their own art to one of our famous ART MART gatherings...and you get a SUNDAY that is definitely a wildly creative FUNDAY. Of course, HEATHER RAQUEL PHILLIPS will be behind the bar, with a heavy pour of the fun. It all starts at 2:00. So bump up that brunch or get in those errands right now. You won't want to miss today (9/22) at DIRTY FRANK'S and OFF THE WALL -- and we don't want to miss you. See you this afternoon!

Paging Guinness

Not the beer. The record book...well, at least the OFF THE WALL record book. This shot, taken hours ago of curator JODY SWEITZER starting to co-install our newest show with artist NATALIE HOPE MCDONALD, only vaguely suggests the scope of this new installation. When all is said and done, we expect TOGETHER AND BY OURSELVES to feature some 140 distinctive works of art, not just surpassing but altogether shattering our old record of 101. WOW! Come in tonight and check this out (and consider acquiring a piece!). Return for the OPENING RECEPTION this Thursday, September 26, 7-10 PM.

A Dolls' Case

We neglected to say in our last post that Leah MacDonald is one of five artists to take jury awards in INLIQUID TOASTS 25. Another is J.A. PANETTA, who won BEST USE OF MATERIALS for her seven doll assemblages front and center in our 3D case. Alternating between the expected, unexpected and a couple of doses of the macabre, the work riffs freely on the traditional folk poem “Monday’s Child.” The dolls, spread out for good measure, draw viewers into the space. So far, three have sold individually, but the entire set is also available for purchase. Reflecting on the installation, the artist carries her unique sensibilities into her statement. “I was raised not by wolves, but by a single kind and righteous wolf,” muses Judy. “This creature taught me mercy and compassion—debatably, behaviors at odds with contemporary values. What our culture identifies as coarse or fine, lewd or decent, profane or sacred is confounding. The art exposes a topsy-turvy world view shared by a population hell-bent on destroying itself. I also enjoy a good chew bone now and again.”

J.A. PANETTA
“Monday’s Child”
8.5 x 27.5 x 3.5 (full series)
bisque, polymer clay, acrylic, found doll clothes and mohair
975. for the full series
150. for each doll

Splendor in Tones of Silver

The right side of our Wall for INLIQUID TOASTS 25 features a compelling array of work, all of it in living BLACK AND WHITE. Two of these pieces are extraordinary silver prints from LEAH MACDONALD, whom we are excited to welcome to our space for the first time. “I began my art career as a traditional B&W film photographer and this medium remains essential, sometimes as the foundation of my collages,” says the artist. “My work is a dialogue among my imagination, my curiosity, my imperfections and my desires. We are neither one thing nor another—not fully our past and its traumas, not fully the beauty we seek. We are all of these, accreted layer by layer over years. And we are the space between.”

LEAH MACDONALD
“No. 704” (first image)
18 x 14 framed
#analog silver photograph
500.

“No. 1642” (second image)
16 x 16 framed
analog silver photograph
500.

Last Week of Toasting InLiquid

The days are dwindling on another phenomenal OFF THE WALL collaboration. We’re deeply honored to host one of several celebrations of a quarter century of INLIQUID (inliquid.org) efforts to make great Philadelphia art and artists seen. Our joint venture features 67 works from 33 members of this superlative organization, there at the dawning of the digital age as a true pioneer in online exhibitions and portfolios. Equally key to their mission are actual installations like INLIQUID TOASTS 25. We'll post a number of works over the next several days, and we urge you to experience this show in person if you haven't seen it yet.

Seeing Double

We’re down to our final two days of BRICK BY BRICK 2. Keeping the theme of twos going, SOPHIA DELL’ARCIPRETE’s “This Conversation Is #Queer” series has had viewers looking twice. What’s more, our jury accepted #two of the artist’s pieces...awarding the pair BEST CONVERSATION. (And wouldn’t you know it: #2 was the one that sold.) This is a brilliant feat of digital handiwork, since there is ONLY ONE model in each of these inspired photos! But Sophia's intention goes deeper. “This body of work serves as a bridge of dialogue,” she tells us, “offering viewers a glimpse into the nuances of sexuality within the context of the mundane. By highlighting these themes, I aim to foster recognition and representation, particularly among audiences who may not have easy access to queer content.”

002-Untitled (This Conversation is Queer)
16 x 24
digital photograph
250.

004-Untitled (This Conversation is Queer)
16 x 24
digital photograph
250.

33 to Celebrate 25

We are pleased and proud to introduce the 33 artists of INLIQUID TOASTS 25 (ILT25), a special juried exhibition celebrating a landmark moment for a groundbreaking leader of our city’s arts community. This members-only show significantly expands our own community — since most artists are marking their debut in our space — and shows the inclusive, unifying power of a nonprofit organization that has been a trailblazer from the advent of the digital age, connecting artists to audiences and countless thousands of Philadelphians to inspiring, original art, in person and online. We can’t wait to welcome 60+ works to our Wall and 3D case. ILT25 goes up on Saturday, July 20...continues through Friday, September 20...and officially opens with a collaborative reception that also welcomes all InLiquid members on Thursday, August 1, 7-10 PM. See you there!

Red, White and Blue...

And pink and green and more. No national flag could carry as many hues as we find in LINDA LEE ALTER’s sign art in BRICK BY BRICK 2. But this work is not about America’s or any country’s independence. It's about individuals and communities seeking personal freedom. Lee explains, “My artwork....celebrates the words of Black lesbian mother, activist, warrior and poet Audre Lorde — about the need for us to work together to bring about positive social change.” This Independence Day we also remind you that should you undertake such a quest this year, please prioritize GOTV activism and casting a ballot this November. It's the only way to ensure there’s no military parade taking place on the next Fourth of July.

LINDA LEE ALTER
“Birds of All Feathers”
9.875 x 36
permanent inks printed on film,
mounted onto aluminum
370.

True to Herself

We haven’t shown RACE KUHN and her work in collage for very long, but we feel we already know a good deal about her honest, unflinching creative process. Her debut in our space came at the end of last year, with a piece suggesting “a deep spiritual awakening to an authentic self.” That collage sold to a fellow OFF THE WALL artist. After a successful solo show at the Cosmopolitan Club, Race now returns in BRICK BY BRICK 2 with a new multimedia work that continues this examination of identity. “I pretended, lied, prayed, hid, killed part of myself, reinvented, and came out at 50,” the artist confides. “Time can heal as easily as society can destroy.”

RACE KUHN
“Never Ending Story”
12 x 12
collage and acrylic
300.

Pride Always

Yes, it’s July 1st. But that doesn't end BRICK BY BRICK 2 — which continues through Friday, July 19 — anymore than it diminishes the Pride we carry with us each and every day. JACK NICHOLAS RONEY, one of our show’s new artists and most eloquent voices, captures this spirit with his images and words. “The queer self is only political because there are those who seek to oppress it; indeed, it is the beautiful means to an unidentifiable end,” reflects Jack. “Pulled from various projects exploring identity and politics, these images represent both queer existence and the fight for the spaces they inhabit.” And please try to see the second photo in person. The details are wonderful and deserve close attention.

“Let Queens Read”
12 x 16 framed (8.25 x 10.75 image)
digital photograph
125.

“Mrs. Hot Pink in the Lounge”
18 x 24 framed (13 x 19 image)
digital photograph
250.

Last Day, First Day

Technically, these are the final hours of Pride Month ‘24. But it’s also the first day of the rest of our fight. All through the history of this battle — for LGBTQIA+ rights, for human rights, for true equality — we have marched with banners and hung banners, expressing our passions and point of view. In BRICK BY BRICK 2 and in our community in general, HEATHER RAQUEL PHILLIPS is the artist who holds high and best represents this proud tradition. “Queer Film Icons” is her newest foray into this medium. On one level, it connects with queerness in show business and its interpretation in movies. But the artist tells us the series is part of a broader thesis: “A secret code of language, a resistance through the exaggerated, a system of identification. Queer communication can be as bold or discrete as it wants to be, but in any case, it is always a tool for connection.”

“Queer Film Icons: Cruising”
15 x 14
double-sided, mixed-media banner
200.

“Queer Film Icons: A Friend of Dorothy”
17 x 13
double-sided, mixed-media banner
350.