U.S. Airways Magazine: With Art Philadelphia Feature

By Ivy Lamb

Philadelphia is Alive with Art

The birthplace of the United States is home to a vast, lively, and growing arts scene. Need convincing? Read on.

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Photo by b. krist for gptmcMC

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isitors know that the quintessential Philadelphia experience must include a visit to the Liberty Bell and a melt-in-your-mouth Philly cheesesteak.

But it’s a surprise to many that the City of Brotherly Love is a premier arts destination. Philadelphia boasts more public art than any other city in the nation, the largest collection of Rodin sculptures outside of France, the oldest theater in continuous use in the English-speaking world (Walnut Street Theatre), and, at 8,700 acres, the largest landscaped city park (Fairmount Park) — and that’s just the beginning. Philadelphia offers a wealth of arts and cultural activities, including dozens of worldclass museums, theaters, and historic sites. And

less than an hour’s drive away, you’ll find bucolic Pennsylvania countryside dotted with wineries, gardens, museums, and former mansions of early industrial magnates like the du Pont family. With so much to explore, it’s hard to know where to begin. Let us help you curate your own experience of Philadelphia’s vibrant arts scene.

Left: Philadelphia City Hall

Art Central Start on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, arguably the most artistic mile in the country. Here you’ll find the Philadelphia Museum of Art ’s famous “Rocky” steps, and behind its Grecian columns more than 227,000 works of art from Asia, Europe, and America. The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts

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Opera Company of Philadelphia , which presents classic works such as Carmen and La Bohème alongside contemporary American operas. A number of film festivals presenting the best in independent and foreign cinema round out the arts scene.

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houses the works of great American artists such as Thomas Eakins and founder Charles Peale. A cast of The Thinker, Auguste Rodin’s iconic sculpture, ushers visitors into the Rodin Museum ’s newly designed sculpture garden (the renovated interior opens this summer). Venture off the parkway and find ancient works of art or lesser-known gems at the Penn Museum. But in Philadelphia, art isn’t found just on museum walls. Here, murals cover more walls than any city outside of Venice, Italy, and public art is found around every corner. Want more? Travel out to the countryside and you’ll find museums highlighting the artistic heritage of the Brandywine Valley. The Wharton Esherick Museum pays homage to a Philadelphia native son whose extraordinarily creative wood-sculpting earned national notori-

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ety during the Arts and Crafts movement in the 1920s and 30s. The rustically elegant Brandywine Museum features a large collection of work by three generations of Wyeths. Philadelphia shines just as brightly in the performing arts. Once night falls, catch a show at one of Philadelphia’s many theaters. More than 20 professional theater companies produce plays year-round, and the annual Philly Fringe festival in September presents new and experimental theater. For world-class dance, take in a performance by the Pennsylvania Ballet, which reprises beloved classics like The Nutcracker and premieres new pieces from contemporary choreographers. The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts hosts everything from chamber music to jazz and pop. The nearby Academy of Music hosts the

Photos (clockwise from top left) by G. Widman, R. Kennedy, B. Krist, and R. Kennedy for Gptmc; Opposite Page: courtesy of philadelphia museum of art

Clockwise from top left: The parkway on the 4th of July, kids looking at the Liberty Bell, Morimoto restaurant, Boathouse Row. Opposite: The Thinker by Rodin

Added Value Of course, Philadelphia offers more than just a rich arts culture. Not only is the city centrally located on the East Coast — only two hours from New York City and three hours from Washington, D.C. — it’s easy to get around once you’ve arrived. The 25-block Center City is pedestrian-friendly and features three centuries of historic architecture. Philadelphia is a must for history buffs: Independence Hall is where both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were signed. Learn even more about our nation’s founding at the National Constitution Center, the only museum in the nation dedicated to the living document that established the government and laws of the nation. Even shopping enthusiasts can get their fix here at dozens of independently owned boutiques and galleries. Best of all? Clothes shopping in Pennsylvania is tax-free. When it’s time to refuel, the culinary scene here goes far beyond the cheesesteak. Many restaurants serve up fresh, local ingredients from nearby farms, and many encourage the “bring-your-own-bottle” (BYOB) practice, allowing diners to bring their own wine. Just a few notable eateries include the steak house Barclay Prime ; Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto’s first American restaurant, Morimoto ; the rustic Italian restaurant Amis ; and the wine shop and European bistro Garces Trading Company, run by Food Network’s newest Iron Chef, Jose Garces. And although the city is best known for its historic character, you may be surprised to discover Philly’s thriving nightlife. In the Spotlight While Philadelphia always beckons art lovers and culture mavens, 2012 promises to be a blockbuster year, with anniversaries, special

exhibits, and an impressive new addition to the arts scene. The National Constitution Center is commemorating the 225th anniversary of the U.S. Constitution with a summer-long celebration. From April 21 through August 10, famous works from the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy, will travel to the James A. Michener Art Museum, just north of the city in Bucks County. Spanning works from the 15th through the 17th century, Offering of the Angels: Treasures from the Uffizi Gallery features tapestries and oil paintings by Botticelli, Titian, Tintoretto, Parmigianino, and Cristofano. And just last month, the Barnes Foundation completed its $150 million relocation from suburban Merion to a new building on Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the first new addition to the parkway in 60 years. The museum features hundreds of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, and early modern works. Read through the following pages and you’ll find that we’ve only scratched the surface of Philadelphia’s arts and culture scene. For even more information and suggested itineraries, log on to visitphilly.com. Whether you love historic architecture, fine-art museums, live theater, or all of the above, one thing is certain: It’s time to put Philadelphia on your list of great art destinations.

Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corp. 800.537.7676 visitphilly.com uwishunu.com

By Beth D’Addono

Shared Vision

Two spirited groups join forces to promote the Philadelphia arts scene.

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hanks in part to the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance and the City’s Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, Philly is a city in the throes of an artistic revolution.

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Academy of Music, and the University of the Arts. And in one day last summer, almost 200,000 people filled the Avenue to celebrate the finale of the monthlong Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts. It’s all part of why Philadelphia was just selected by Travel & Leisure Magazine as the No. 1 destination spot for culture in the United States. Mayor Michael A. Nutter has been a key supporter of the arts, increasing funding to the Philadelphia Cultural Fund and opening the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy in 2008 — weaving the creative sector into the economic and social fabric of the city. Despite the country’s recent economic chal-

photos (clockwise from top) by Bob Krist/courtesy of GPTMC (2) and Jaci Downs Photography

From a flurry of recent museum openings to groundbreaking exhibits and visual and performing arts festivals, the city has become a living, breathing urban canvas. It’s a city that proudly showcases its commitment to the arts, boasting a world-renowned collection of nearly 1,500 works of public art, the nation’s first Percent for Art Program established in 1959, and over 2,000 murals throughout the city’s diverse and historic neighborhoods. But that’s just a small slice of Philly’s art scene. From the city’s historic core to green public squares, waterfront amenities, and dozens of vibrant arts-focused neighborhoods such as Old City, Northern Liberties, For more information on West Philadelphia, and Passyunk Avenue, the wide range of events in the arts have infused the region. Philadelphia, visit Phillyfunguide.com. The city’s Avenue of the Arts alone is now home to The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, the Wilma Theater, the Philadelphia Theatre Company, the

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Clockwise from left: Avenue of the Arts, First Friday in Old City, and Kùlú Mèlé African Dance & Drum Ensemble

lenges, the city’s commitment to the arts has paid off, with the Philadelphia region bucking the recession by increasing overall attendance, and drawing more than 17 million attendees annually to its cultural sector. It’s all enough to get Nutter recognized by Americans for the Arts and the U.S. Conference of Mayors with the 2011 Public Leadership in the Arts Award. Working with the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, a regional leadership organization representing over 400 cultural entities, has successfully positioned arts and culture as a competitive asset for the region and a key investment for the region’s future.

The numbers back that up, with an economic impact of over $1.3 billion, a workforce of more than 40,000, and over 18,000 events listed annually on the Cultural Alliance’s online events calendar, Phillyfunguide.com. Add the significant cultural attractions opening in the past few years — the Barnes Foundation on the Parkway, Please Touch Museum in the beautiful Fairmount Park, the Asian Arts Initiative in North Chinatown, and the National Museum of American Jewish History on Independence Mall, to name a few — and Philadelphia, while still rightfully recognized as the birthplace of the nation, is becoming the city of the future. usairwaysmag.com

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The innovative and iconic Philadelphia Orchestra celebrates its 113th season.

The Philadelphia

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photos (from left) by Jessica Griffin and chris lee/courtesy of the philadelphia orchestra

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t 37 years old, Yannick Nézet-Séguin has been hailed by the media as a young “up and coming” superstar.

But the label “up and coming” doesn’t quite sound the right note for a conductor whose list of posts includes music director of the Rotterdam Philharmonic, principal guest conductor of the London Philharmonic, and artistic director and principal conductor of Montreal’s Orchestre Métropolitain, and who has made highly successful appearances with the Vienna Philharmonic and the Berlin Philharmonic, two of the

world’s most revered ensembles. When his title officially changes from music director designate to music director of The Philadelphia Orchestra in September, Nézet-Séguin will become just the eighth artistic leader in the ensemble’s 112-year history. “Yannick is not only a seasoned conductor, he brings with him to Philadelphia an astonishing range of musical talents and interests,” says Allison Vulgamore, The Philadelphia Orchestra’s president and CEO. “In the two years since his appointment he has made a remarkable connection with our musicians, and he has ignited our audiences with his passion and energy.”

Left: new Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin. Above: applause for The Philadelphia Orchestra

By Robin Anders

Celebrating Stokowski Beginning this month, and continuing through the 2012–13 season, The Philadelphia Orchestra usairwaysmag.com

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known for changing the concert experience — from structuring the concert order differently than was customary at that time to employing special staging and lighting effects,” Rothman says. “We’re taking that spirit to heart by incorporating state-of-the-art visuals and live effects into the concerts and also incorporating vintage images and film footage. It will be a perfect blend of our heritage and the 21st century.” The celebration will also include a Saturday morning Family Concert featuring Fantasia, the famous collaboration between Stokowski, the Orchestra, and Disney. Families will delight in hearing the Orchestra perform musical excerpts live as the film is projected onto an overhead screen. Known Around the World, At Home in Philadelphia The Philadelphia Orchestra is well-known to audiences not just in Philadelphia but also throughout the world. Most of the Orchestra’s hometown performances take place in Verizon Hall, the 2,500-seat concert space at the Kimmel Center in the heart of Philadelphia. But it also performs annually at the Academy of Music, the oldest grand opera house in the United States still used for its original purpose, and the

photos (clockwise from left) courtesy of the philadelphia orchestra, by ryan donnell, courtesy philadelphia orchestra, by ryan donnell

will celebrate its future and honor its past with a Stokowski Celebration, a series of concerts that highlights the parallels between Nézet-Séguin and Leopold Stokowski, the Orchestra’s legendary music director who assumed that post 100 years ago in 1912. Nézet-Séguin’s innovative approach echoes Stokowski’s legacy. “Back in 1912, Stokowski was ahead of the curve,” says Jeremy Rothman, the Orchestra’s vice president for artistic planning, adding that First Chair Stokowski launched The Philadelphia Orchestra has a reputation The Philadelphia for being an orchestra of “firsts.” Here are Orchestra’s reputation just a few of the Orchestra’s leading roles: as an orchestra of 1916 Leopold Stokowski and The Philadelphia Orchestra make music history by firsts (see “First presenting the American premiere of Chair” sidebar, left). Mahler’s Eighth Symphony. “Under his leadership, 1925 Stokowski and The Philadelphia Orchestra become pioneers in electrical we were the first orrecording, supplanting the previous chestra to make an acoustical method and becoming the electronic recording. first orchestra recorded electrically. We were the first [to 1939 The Philadelphia Orchestra makes movie history by playing the sounddo a] live radio broadtrack to Disney’s innovative animated cast, and the first to film Fantasia. partner with Disney 1948 The Philadelphia Orchestra is the first to produce an aniorchestra to appear on nationwide television on CBS. mated film, the 1973 The Philadelphia Orchestra becomes classic Fantasia.” the first American orchestra to perform “It is so moving in the People’s Republic of China. for me to realize that 1997 The Philadelphia Orchestra becomes the first major American orchestra to 100 years ago Leopold give a live cybercast of a concert on Stokowski became the the Internet; people from more than music director of the 40 nations log on to hear the concert. Orchestra,” says 2007 The Philadelphia Orchestra becomes the first major orchestra to multi-cast a Nézet-Séguin. “Toconcert to large-screen venues through day, by being daring, the Internet2 network. by wanting to expand 2012 The Philadelphia Orchestra becomes the repertoire of the the first U.S. orchestra to launch a long-term residency program in China, Orchestra, having earning recognition from the U.S. State more collaboration Department. with different groups, and adding more visual aspects in our concerts, we are paying tribute to our very own past.” The Stokowski Celebration concerts in June will introduce Symphony V.0, which Rothman describes as a theatrical experience. “Stokowski was

“In the two years since his appointment, [Nézet-Séguin] has made a remarkable connection with our musicians, and he has ignited our audiences with his passion and energy.” — Allison Vulgamore, President & CEO Mann Center for the Performing Arts, home of the Orchestra’s summer concert series in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Orchestra is especially popular in China. “If you say Philadelphia to someone in China, they respond first with ‘The Philadelphia Orchestra!’ Then they say, ‘The Liberty Bell,’” Vulgamore says. “We were the first American orchestra invited to go into China in 1973 after President Richard Nixon helped open diplomatic relations the year before. Our relationship with the people of China is another rich piece of our legacy.” This month, the Orchestra returns to China for a 10-day tour. The trip is part of a larger residency during which the Orchestra will work with Chinese music students and orchestra musicians and perform for free at numerous community locations including schools and

public parks, in addition to full Orchestra concerts in Beijing, Tianjin, Guangzhou, and Shanghai. After leaving China, the Orchestra will continue on to San Francisco for two concerts as part of the San Francisco Symphony’s 100th Anniversary celebrations. Other stops on the summer schedule include Vail, Colorado, and Saratoga Springs, New York.

Clockwise from far left: The Sound All Around program, the Mann Center for Performing Arts, and Concertmaster David Kim works with school children. Below left: During The Philadelphia Orchestra’s 1973 tour of China, Music Director Eugene Ormandy (right) visited the Great Wall with his wife, Gretel, and Orchestra Board President C. Wanton Balis.

Deepening Connections Education and community engagement are vital to the long-term sustainability and continued success of The Philadelphia Orchestra. Since 2000, the Orchestra has been performing free outdoor concerts in neighborhoods around the Philadelphia region, entertaining countless Philadelphians in their own backyards. The Neighborhood Concert Series is just one of the community engagement and education programs that the Orchestra presents. The Orchestra’s School Partnership Program and Billy Joel Program provide music education in schools as well and bring students to the concert hall to hear the Orchestra live. usairwaysmag.com

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For $25 a year, college students can attend an unlimited number of concerts for the entire season with the Orchestra’s eZseatU program. The Orchestra also presents engaging programs for its youngest listeners. Research shows that people who play an instrument as a child remember the experience, and come back to music many years later. So the Orchestra presents Family Concerts, which appeal to families with children ages six to 12, and Sound All Around concerts, which introduce children ages three to five to the instruments of the Orchestra through stories, songs, and interaction with Orchestra musicians. Educational outreach continues through secondary education as well. For $25 a year, college students can attend an unlimited number of subscription concerts for

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Get Involved Photos (top to bottom) by chris lee, jessica griffin/courtesy of the philadelphia orchestra

Top row: Joshua Bell, Lang Lang, and Barbara Hannigan Middle row: Hilary Hahn, Simon Rattle, and Gil Shaham Bottom row: André Watts, Rolando Villazón, and Renée Fleming

The Philadelphia Sound For decades, The Philadelphia Orchestra has been known for its rich string sound, dubbed the “Philadelphia Sound.” That “Sound” was shared far and wide through radio broadcasts and the vast number of recordings the Orchestra made between the 1940s and the 1990s. Many fans came to know The Philadelphia Orchestra by listening to these recordings, even Nézet-Séguin, whose childhood love of a Philadelphia Orchestra recording fostered an instant connection between him and the Orchestra’s members. “When I was a child, my parents had a recording of The Philadelphia Orchestra performing Tchaikovsky’s Sixth Symphony,” says NézetSéguin. “The album cover had a photo of the glorious chandelier that still hangs in the Academy of Music, and I loved to look at that photo and listen to this wonderful orchestra. Many years later, when I made my Philadelphia Orchestra debut, it was with that same Tchaikovsky piece. I can’t tell you how it felt to stand on the podium that day. It was a magical moment.” It was a magical moment indeed — less than two years later, Nézet-Séguin was named the next music director of The Philadelphia Orches-

Artist Photos (top left to bottom right) by Marc Hom, Sony Classical, Marco Borggreve, Peter Miller, Simon Fowler, Christian Steiner, Steve J. Sherman, Felix Broede/Deutsche Grammophon, Jonathan Tichler

2012–2013 Guest Artists

the entire season with the Orchestra’s eZseatU program. With 2,000 college student subscribers, the Orchestra has a unique opportunity to keep them connected throughout their college career and beyond, and does so in part by hosting exclusive student events, such as postconcert parties and an annual art exhibit.

To order tickets: Kimmel Center Box Office Corner of Broad and Spruce Streets Philadelphia, PA 19102 Subscriber Services: 215.893.1955 Ticket Sales: 215.893.1999 Group Sales: 215.875.7695 To reach us: The Philadelphia Orchestra Association 260 S. Broad St., 16th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19102 Phone: 215.893.1900 Fax: 215.875.7649 philorch.org

tra. Says Vulgamore, “All of the Orchestra’s creativity and traditions, handed down across the generations since Leopold Stokowski’s music directorship, now pass to Yannick, who opens our musical door to the future.”

Top: new Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin. Above: The Philadelphia Orchestra at home in the Kimmel Center

Follow us: Facebook.com/Philorch Twitter.com/PhilaOrchestra Youtube.com/Philorchestra Weibo.com/Philorchestra

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“The Barnes Foundation is the only sane place to see art in America.” — Henri Matisse

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ogy, the keystone in a joint unClockwise from top dergraduate program between left: view from the Barnes and Lincoln UniverPennsylvania Ave.; Pierre-Auguste sity, will expand at the PhiladelRenoir, The Artist’s phia campus for the 2012–13 Family (La Famille de academic year. l’artiste), 1896; interior view of The The Barnes’s K–12 programs Court; Amedeo are taught both on-site and offModigliani, Redheadsite in school classrooms. K–8 ed Girl in Evening Dress (Jeune fille students may also participate in rousse en robe de subsidized programs at different grade levels, soir), 1918 made possible with support of PECO, the Hamilton Family Foundation, the Verizon Foundation, and Subaru. The preschool program Making, Moving, Listening, Looking involves the gallery collection and incorporates stories, art-making, music, movement, and dance. The program aligns with PNC’s Grow Up Great initiative for children ages 2–5. The Philadelphia campus also offers a variety of programs for educators and a range of public programs including world music, art-making, and horticulture. The first Sunday of each month offers free admission and programs presented by PECO. The Barnes in Philadelphia is open to the public late every Friday night, and on the first Friday of every month there is a full evening of programming sponsored by Wells Fargo. In late summer 2012, the foundation will reopen the original Merion site as home to the horticulture program and institutional archives. A 12-acre arboretum is filled with more than 3,000 species Visit The Barnes Foundation: of plants and trees, many of which Philadelphia are noted for their rarity. 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway Philadelphia, PA The Barnes Foundation contin215.278.7000 ues to uphold its original intent to promote the appreciation of fine Hours: Wednesday–Sunday 9:30 a.m.–6 p.m. art. As the late Dr. Barnes once Friday 9:30 a.m.–10 p.m. said, “Living with and studying good paintings offers greater interFor more information, visit est, variety, and satisfaction than barnesfoundation.org. any other pleasure known to man.”

atisse knew what he was talking about. He visited in 1929 and was enchanted by the way the works were displayed.

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Photos (opposite Page top right and bott0m left) © Tom Crane, (All Others) 2012 © 2012 The Barnes Foundation

Come see why the Barnes Foundation is regarded as one of the greatest art collections in the world.

Created in 1922 by Dr. Albert C. Barnes, a pharmaceutical entrepreneur, and his wife, Laura Leggett, in order to “promote the advancement of education and the appreciation of the fine arts,” the Barnes Foundation is now considered one of the world’s greatest collections of post-impressionist and early modern art. Works include 69 Cézannes, 46 Picassos, 59 Matisses, 181 Renoirs, as well as scores of paintings by Soutine, Rousseau, Monet, Degas, and van Gogh. Sculpture, metalwork, and more round out a comprehensive collection. The holdings are now on display at the foundation’s brand-new location in the heart of Philadelphia’s cultural corridor. Sitting on 4.5 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds in Fairmount Park, the new campus features a 12,000-square-foot collection gallery as well as a special exhibition gallery, plus two classrooms and two seminar rooms. The Inaugural Year of activities of the Barnes in Philadelphia is generously supported by premier sponsors PNC and Comcast. But the Barnes is much more than an art collection. In support of its educational mission, the Foundation offers classes for students of all ages, a horticulture program, and a rare book library. Adult courses at the Barnes include the traditional three-year Barnes Certificate courses, which focus on the formal elements of light, line, color, and space; a new version of the Certificate courses; single-semester courses on specific subjects; and a new twosemester course on Understanding World Art. The course in Barnes History and Methodol-

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Gauguin, Cézanne, Visions of an earthly paradise at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

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ince antiquity, artists have been inspired by the dream of Arcadia, a paradise on earth. This summer, visitors can experience its legendary And those artists include Paul Gauguin, Paul Cézanne, and Henri Matisse as part of the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s powerful new exhibit Visions of Arcadia opening June 20. Three masterpieces take center stage in the exhibition. Cézanne’s The Large Bathers caused a sensation when it was unveiled in 1907. Today, the painting’s almost abstract figures are considered among the finest examples of modern art.

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The exhibit also spotlights Gauguin’s painting Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going? This French work, with groundbreaking post-impressionistic style, moved Arcadia to a Polynesian setting, where Gauguin once lived. A third piece that claims the spotlight this summer is Bathers by a River, by Matisse, who spent eight years creating and then modifying his mural-size painting. Widely known as an artist of light and color, Matisse revealed his more austere side in this piece, which draws on cubism to interpret a dark Arcadian dream. While these landmark works are at the heart of the museum’s new exhibit, visitors will also find 40 other works, by 23 artists, displayed alongside them. The pieces are drawn from public and private collections across the globe.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art is the only venue for this extraordinary exhibition. Visions of Arcadia runs through September 3, 2012. With rotating exhibits, programs for adults and families, films, concerts, artists’ conversations, children’s art classes, audio tours, 200 captivating galleries, and much more, the museum shares its treasures with nearly a million visitors each year. The restored, rejuvenated Rodin Museum reopens July 13 The Rodin, a few blocks from the main museum, on Benjamin Franklin Parkway, houses the largest collection of sculptor Auguste Rodin’s (1840­–1917) works outside his native Paris. It has been closed for restoration, but now the task of returning the site to its original vision as an archi-

tectural gem of the Parkway is nearing completion. It will reopen with new installations indoors and out and offer new programs and services. The landscape around the Rodin also is getting a makeover. New benches and pathways have been added, as well as canopy trees, shrubs, roses, daylilies, and other flowering plants that change color and fragrance with the seasons. The transformations make the gardens a serene place to retreat from the hustle of daily life.

Philadelphia Museum of Art philamuseum.org Rodin Museum rodinmuseum.org 215.763.8100

Clockwise from far left: Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?, 1897–98, Paul Gauguin, French, 1848–1903, oil on canvas, 67 1/2” x 160”, Museum of Fine Arts Boston; Philadelphia Museum of Art, over the Schuylkill River; Eternal Springtime, plaster (conceived 1884; cast 1885), at the Rodin Museum; The Thinker (bronze, modeled 1881; cast 1919, Rudier) before the Rodin Museum’s Meudon Gate on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway

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Vibrant Valley

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photoS (Clockwise from top left) Courtesy Longwood Gardens, Courtesy Brandywine Valley.com, Carlos Alejandro, Courtesy Brandywine Valley.com

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Explore art, nature, and culture in Brandywine Valley.

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By Robin Anders

hester County — smack-dab in the middle of Pennsylvania’s Brandywine Valley — is lush, floral, and green. Meandering meadows with horses dot the countryside.

Majestic copper beech trees shade the hilly landscape as their shimmering leaves catch the valley’s cool breezes. The Brandywine River etches its way through the valley, as do a series of garden trails, wine trails, hiking trails, history trails, and even trails of picturesque covered bridges. Whether visitors are interested in history, horticulture, fishing, or pure relaxation, the Brandywine Valley delivers. It’s easy to see how the area’s natural beauty might inspire visionaries and artists. In fact, two of the area’s finest crown jewels were inspired by great families who made their mark on American history. Longwood Gardens, built by the du Pont family, and The Brandywine River Museum, which exhibits three generations of Wyeth family art, are alive and well in the Brandywine Valley.

Longwood Gardens Nestled in the heart of Brandywine Valley, just 30 miles west of Philadelphia, Longwood Gardens is one of the great gardens of the world. Industrialist Pierre S. du Pont’s purchase in 1906 of a small farm to save a collection of historic trees today represents more than 1,077 acres of gardens, woodlands, meadows, fountains, and a 4.5-acre conservatory. Pierre du Pont described the garden as “theater,” and you can take that literally. Longwood offers not only dazzling displays that raise the art of horticulture, but illuminated fountains that dance to music, fireworks shows that light the summer sky, and concerts and performances. This summer’s performing arts lineup features more than 40 headliners, including Vince Gill, The Manhattan Transfer, Pat Metheny, and The Bacon Brothers. “Longwood Gardens is unique because of the many diverse experiences we offer our guests,” says director Paul Redman. And this summer, guests will enjoy yet another new experience at Longwood.

Clockwise from top left: Bruce Munro’s light installation at Longwood Gardens, Hagley Museum, Brandywine River Museum’s Andrew Wyeth studio, Radnor Hunt Races

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From top: Orangery at Longwood Gardens, Brandywine River Museum

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Katharine Hepburn in Without Love

photos (from top left) courtesy the Theatre Collection—Free Library of Philadelphia (2), Courtesy Walnut street Theatre, Courtesy Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Courtesy Walnut street Theatre

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Brandywine River Museum Just five miles east of Longwood Gardens in Chadds Ford, a glimpse of Andrew Wyeth’s art studio could easily be mistaken for one of his paintings. Originally built as a schoolhouse in 1875, the rustic white-frame building with white shutters is tucked into a hillside. The American realist’s newly restored studio reveals how life and art entwined for the Wyeth family in the ’40s and ’50s. Given to the Brandywine River Museum by the artist’s wife, Betsy James Wyeth, the studio and former home gives visitors the chance to see where Wyeth created some of his most iconic works through guided tours that offer insights on the artist’s creative process. Andrew Wyeth’s father, N.C., and

Theatrical Legacy

youngest son, Jamie, also left an indelible mark on the area’s artistic heritage. The Brandywine River Museum displays an extensive collection of Wyeth family art. “Each of them is extraordinarily talented and brings a different style and point of view,” says Virginia Logan, executive director of the Brandywine Conservancy. While you’re there, take in the surrounding 45,000 acres of open space that have been permanently protected by the Brandywine Conservancy. It is this countryside that inspired three generations of the Wyeth family and the hundreds of other artists whose work is featured in the Brandywine River Museum, such as Jessie Willcox Smith, Howard Pyle, and Horace Pippin. There’s even more to see in Brandywine Valley. Other standout gardens include Chanticleer and the French-inspired Nemours, while Delaware Museum of Art and the Wharton Esherick Museum highlight more great American artists. Ready to relax? Sample wines at one of the nearby wineries along the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail. Even shopping enthusiasts can get their fix here. The media giant QVC, headquartered in West Chester, offers behindthe-scenes studio tours. Ready to escape? Brandywine’s countryside is waiting.

Photos Courtesy Longwood Gardens, Michael Kahn

To learn more about visiting Brandywine Valley, including itineraries, log on to brandywinevalley.com.

Opening June 9, Bruce Munro’s Light: Installations exhibit takes guests on a magical tour through a forest of 20,000 illuminated stems reminiscent of blooming flowers. A collection of 69 symmetric towers will create a glowing maze of light that changes hues to music, as glistening interpretations of water-lily platters float on the garden’s Large Lake. Inside the Conservatory, the Orangery is adorned with six grand snowball chandeliers, each formed by 127 perfectly uniform glass balls. “We want people to experience the beauty of our gardens at night,” says Redman. “A garden at night is a magical place.”

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Sidney Poitier in A Raisin in the Sun

Christopher Sutton in Buddy — The Buddy Holly Story

Marlon Brando in A Streetcar Named Desire

Walnut Street Theatre has showcased top talent for more than 200 years. As one of the country’s leading nonprofit theater companies, Walnut Street Theatre boasts the largest subscription audience in the world, more than 55,000 subscribers annually. Each year, hundreds of thousands of people attend the Walnut’s original, world-class productions. And the Walnut offers more than just great performances: The theater company reaches more than 111,000 people each year through its education and outreach programs. When you take in a show at the Walnut Street Theatre, you become part of a unique Philadelphia experience. The Walnut has been a cornerstone of Walnut Street Theatre American theater for more than 200 years, when Thomas 825 Walnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19107 Jefferson first visited. Now it’s 215.574.3550 your turn. Outstanding prowalnutstreettheatre.org ductions are onstage now.

tarted in 1809, Walnut Street Theatre has a rich history as America’s Oldest Theatre and the most popular theater company in Philadelphia.

Many of the world’s greatest actors, directors, and musicians have entertained audiences here, including the Booths, the Barrymores, Marlon Brando, Katharine Hepburn, Jessica Tandy, Henry Fonda, Audrey Hepburn, Helen Hayes, Sidney Poitier, and Orson Welles. Today, the theater still presents fresh and exciting shows like Philadelphia’s newest sensation Buddy — The Buddy Holly Story (May 15–July 15). This new production of the Broadway hit tells the true story of early rock ’n’ roll pioneer Buddy Holly. You’ll be dancing in the aisles to rousing 1950s favorites “Peggy Sue,” “Oh Boy,” “Maybe Baby,” “That’ll Be the Day,” “Every Day,” “La Bamba,” and more.

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Cultural Mecca You could spend days exploring Philadelphia’s Parkway Museums District.

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tretching from LOVE Park to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the one-mile, tree-lined Benjamin Franklin Parkway is flanked by the city’s premier destinations.

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OF DREXEL UNIVERSITY is America’s oldest natural history museum, and the place to experience natural science in a fun and engaging way. Visitors can explore four floors of exhibits, meet real scientists, get face-to-face with a towering T. rex, and take behind-the-

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PETER & PAUL is one of the most architecturally eminent structures in the city, notable for its majestic facade, vaulted dome, ornate main altar, and impressive side chapels. 18th & the Parkway, cathedralphila.org EASTERN STATE PENITENTIARY, the world’s first true “penitentiary,” is known for its grand, castle-like architecture. The vaulted, sky-lit cells once held many of America’s most notorious criminals, including bank robber Willie

PHOTOS COURTESY PARKWAY COUNCIL FOUNDATION

Visitors to the Parkway Museums District not only discover world-class museums and educational institutions, but iconic landmarks as well, like the Swann Memorial Fountain, the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter & Paul on Logan Square, and the world famous “Rocky” steps. Highlights of the district include:

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scenes tours of the Academy’s collection of 18 million plants and animals. Special bicentennial programming through March 2013. 19th & the Parkway, ansp.org THE BARNES FOUNDATION, which opened at its new location on the Parkway last month, houses one of the world’s finest collections of French Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, and early modern paintings, including an extraordinary number of masterpieces by Renoir, Cézanne, and Matisse. 20th & the Parkway, barnesfoundation.org

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Sutton and Al Capone. The site stands today in ruin, a haunting world of crumbling cell blocks and empty guard towers. 22nd & Fairmount Ave., easternstate.org THE FRANKLIN INSTITUTE was an innovator in hands-on exhibits long before “interactive” became a buzzword. Committed to inspiring an understanding and passion for science and technology, the museum includes the Tuttleman IMAX Theater, Fels Planetarium, and much more. 20th & the Parkway, fi.edu MOORE COLLEGE OF ART & DESIGN, the nation’s first and only women’s visual arts college, offers dynamic free exhibitions yearround, and boasts The Art Shop, which exclusively sells the work of students and alums. 20th & the Parkway, moore.edu THE PARKWAY CENTRAL LIBRARY, the jewel of the citywide Free Library system, is a welcoming and inspiring environment

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Clockwise from left: Rodin Museum, Academy of Natural Sciences, Eastern State Penitentiary, Franklin Institute, Parkway Central Library. Below left: Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter & Paul.

for learning, community enrichment, and economic vitality in the region. Vine St. between 19th & 20th, freelibrary.org THE PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM OF ART, a world-class repository of more than 227,000 works of art and cultural reference, offers special exhibitions, programs for children and families, lectures, concerts, films, and a Friday-night music series. The Perelman Building across from the main museum showcases more of the permanent collection in extraordinary gallery spaces. 26th St. & the Parkway, philamuseum.org If you’re looking for a great THE RODIN MUSEUM, with the way to explore the area, largest collection of works by French check out the walking and bike tours on the Parkway sculptor Auguste Rodin outside of Museums District Web site, Paris, contains more than 120 sculpparkwaymuseumsdistrict.org, tures, drawings, and paintings. or the self-guided audio sculpture tour on Reopens July 13th. 22nd & the museumwithoutwallsaudio.org. Parkway, rodinmuseum.org usairwaysmag.com

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Moore College of Art & Design The first of its kind offers a first-rate education for women. By Martha-Page Althaus

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arts. Moore’s coed graduate programs (art education, interior design, and studio art), along with continuing education for adults and pre-college programs for youth, round out the offerings at this historic college. A school of firsts, another innovation is on the horizon: This fall, Moore will become the first art and design college to give an iPad to all incoming undergrads. This initiative, which combines cutting-edge technology and digital tools with traditional art and design instruction, allows students to use the devices in the classroom as a sketchbook, portfolio, and camera.

photos Courtesy of Moore College of Art & Design

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Founded in 1848, Moore is the nation’s first and only visual arts college for women. Small classes, led by professors who are also working artists and professional designers, create a personalized experience for the school’s 500 undergrad students. Bachelor of fine arts degrees are offered in nine majors, ranging from fashion design and illustration to photography & digital

n the heart of Philadelphia’s Parkway Museums District, Moore College of Art & Design prepares students for careers in the arts.

The tablets will be preprogrammed with apps that support Moore’s curriculum. Outside the classroom, what better way for students to learn than by immersing themselves in Philadelphia’s rich arts scene? From exploring the museums and galleries to interning with them, Moore students have immediate access to the city’s leading arts institutions. In fact, all students must complete a professional 240-hour internship following their junior year. The college even backs these internships by providing students with a $1,000 internship fellowship. The real-world experience doesn’t end with internships. Moore’s annual Spring Fashion Show features the collections of fashion-design seniors in a professional runway event. The show culminates with a popular evening-wear lineup. Industry experts preside over the event, and past judges and critics (many of whom are graduates) include Charming Shoppes, Lilly Pulitzer, and L.L. Bean designers, as well as fashion magazine editors. Throughout the year, visitors can explore students’ work firsthand. Each spring, the Galleries at Moore present student work in fellowship, student, and senior shows. The Senior Show features the best work by soon-tobe graduates, who can network with potential employers, art collectors, and enthusiasts, with much of the work available for sale. The Galleries at Moore, composed of six galleries all open to the public with free admission, exhibit the work of established and emerging local, national, and international artists. The exhibition history includes those by artists and designers such as Mary McFadden, Alice Neel (class of 1925), Faith Ringgold, and Jörg Immendorff. An upcoming exhibition is The Long Now (opens August 24), with works by Chantal Akerman, Mark Lewis, Andy Warhol, and Gillian Wearing, among others. The Galleries also offer free public programs including a Studio Conversations series that has hosted artists such as Janine Antoni and Liam Gillick. Visitors will also want to stop by The Art Shop, which sells original paintings, jewelry, accessories, note cards, and other items — all created by graduates and students.

From left: works featured in a recent Senior Show in the Galleries at Moore; students put finishing touches on fashion design and fine-art projects

To learn more, visit moore.edu or call 215.965.4000.

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A Shrine to Science Visiting the Franklin Institute is both heartening and electrifying.

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t stands to reason that the Franklin Institute is the most visited museum in Pennsylvania. After all, who can resist an attraction that takes inspiration from Philadelphia’s favorite son, inventor, author, printer, pundit, and diplomat Benjamin Franklin? Originally established in 1824 to honor the founding father and to promote the study of mechanical arts, the Franklin Institute officially opened as a museum more than a century later. And, in the spirit of its namesake, the institute is a hands-on science museum — the first of its kind in the United States. In the ensuing years, the institute’s exhibitions, whether time-honored or brand-new, have continually offered fresh and dynamic perspectives on nature, bioscience, and technology. The past, too, is revered, as the current traveling exhibition, Dead Sea Scrolls: Life and Faith in Ancient Times, suggests. On view through mid-

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October, the exhibition displays what is often considered the greatest archaeological find of the 20th century: 2,000-year-old biblical texts discovered in a cave in Israel in 1947. Through other artifacts, such as limestone ossuaries and architectural capitals, as well as a lecture series, you’ll understand the historical and cultural context of these ancient writings. And what’s a museum honoring Ben Franklin without some snap, crackle, and pop? Take The Giant Heart exhibit (see page 121), which first opened in 1954 as a temporary exhibit featuring an oversized papier-mâché replica of the human ticker that visitors could actually walk through. Today, sound and lighting effects enhance the walk-through experience, in addition to an electrocardiogram wave pulsing across the floor, a re-creation of a surgical theater, and a wellness section exploring the effects of diet and

exercise on the cardiovascular system. Another favorite, the Electricity exhibit encourages visitors to learn how the body conducts electrical charges — and no, you’re not required to stand in a thunderstorm with kite and key in hand. Rather, you can feel how electricity travels through various light bulbs, make your hair stand on end with a static charge, use your cell

PHOTOS COURTESY OF FRANKLIN INSTITUTE

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phone to illuminate LED art, and shake your booty on the Sustainable Dance Floor that lights up as you move. No doubt, John Travolta would be envious and Franklin, were he alive, would be cutting a rug, too. And he would also be enthralled with the museum’s three theaters. The Fels Planetarium, the second oldest in the United States, offers cutting-edge digital projections of the night sky, while at The Tuttleman IMAX® theater, dinosaurs blaze across the screen, as well as movies like Rocky Mountain Express! playing this summer. At the Franklin Theater, you can catch 3-D and high-definition Blu-ray movies. None of these marvels would be possible without the scientific contributions of Poor Richard himself. So why not end your visit with a stop at the museum’s Benjamin Franklin National Memorial? As you gaze upon his likeness, take to heart one of his pithy sayings, “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest,” and give thanks.

Clockwise from left: Benjamin Franklin National Memorial, the Electricity exhibit, the Dead Sea Scrolls: Life and Faith in Ancient Times exhibit

The Franklin Institute 222 N. 20th St. Philadelphia 215.448.1200 fi.edu

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Happy 200! America’s oldest natural history museum celebrates its bicentennial.

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on’t worry about what to give the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University for its 200th anniversary this year. The Academy is doing the gift-giving. Check out special events and programs, rare behind-the-scenes tours, and a showstopping new exhibit of treasures on display for the first time in the museum’s history as part of its yearlong bicentennial celebration. The frosting on the anniversary cake, so to speak, is a special two-for-one admission discount, offered on the 21st of each month, perfect for families with children. Visitors are always amazed to see a 42-foot-

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long Tyrannosaurus rex when they enter the museum’s main hall, but they’ll be awestruck when their behind-the-scenes tour guides start opening drawers and cabinets rarely seen by the public. Here lie beautifully patterned shells from around the world, preserved birds with colorful plumage, Thomas Jefferson’s mastodon teeth, and fossils from odd creatures that lived millions of years ago. Visitors will learn that the museum was founded by seven amateur naturalists who combined their collections in a rented space above a Philadelphia store. The bicentennial tours are held every Thursday through Monday at 11 a.m. and are limited to ten people, ages 8 and up. The celebration continues each month with family activities and giveaways spotlighting a new natural treasure. Returning guests can see an astonishing variety of fish, plants, mammals,

insects, reptiles, and fossils, all chosen from the museum’s 18 million-plus collection. And visitors should make sure to explore the special anniversary exhibit, The Academy at 200: The Nature of Discovery. An 80-footlong wall showcases giant shark teeth, jewellike insects, glittering jars of strange creatures, and other fascinating finds. Piped-in sound effects make this a fantastic exhibit for every age. There are plenty of touchable displays, too, including a giant clam shell and a meteorite that landed in Arizona. Kids will have a blast trying on waders, sorting shells, and putting together dinosaur puzzles. The museum also presents groundbreaking research by academy scientists worldwide, on topics like climate change, invasive species, and water quality. There’s even a peek into a lab

where dinosaur fossils are prepped and studied. June is Birds of a Feather: Ornithology Month, when guests can learn to identify local birds and try banding one of our flying friends. Visit on August 11 or 12 and enjoy Bug Fest, a weekend of fun activities and displays of thousands of insects — both live and preserved. You’ll even get to taste cooked insects and talk with real scientists. There’s always something new and different to explore, along with the academy’s ongoing — and wildly popular — live butterfly garden, live animal shows, and Dinosaur Hall, where the biggest predators that ever walked the earth are represented by full-scale skeletal mounts. Here, kids can even dig for fossils. You won’t find any dry, dusty displays in this museum — just exciting exhibits, packed with fascinating stories to tell!

From left to right: amazing treasures from collections; getting up close and personal with a giant clam; T. rex dominates in the hands-on Dinosaur Hall

For more information, call 215.299.1000 or visit ansp.org.

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Breaking Free of its Past

A Tradition

Redefined

The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is an incubator for artistic expression.

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veryone knows Alcatraz. But Philadelphia’s own Fairmount Avenue is home to another of the world’s most famous — and historic — former prisons.

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Eastern State Penitentiary (ESP), which closed 41 years ago, is open for tours, so you can get a glimpse of what life behind bars was really like. ESP locked up nearly 75,000 prisoners from 1829 to 1971; infamous criminals such as bank robber “Slick Willie” Sutton and gangster Al Capone did time here (you’ll see Capone’s cell on the tour). As the first prison to establish solitary confinement and one of the first to use the “hub and spoke” floor plan, where cellblocks meet in the center, ESP’s groundbreaking design and discipline influenced more than 300 prisons around the world. Today, visitors wander past dark cellblocks, crumbling walls, and guard towers. “The Voices of Eastern State” Audio Tour, narrated by actor Steve Buscemi, leads a two-hour trip with stops at Death Row, solitary exercise yards, and the restored synagogue. Interactive demonstrations let visitors experience inmate life: Climb down into “The Hole” to the solitary punishment

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BY MARTHA-PAGE ALTHAUS

cells, try unlocking an escape-proof cell door, and step into the former hospital. ESP hosts a variety of events throughout the year. Prison Break Weekend (June 9–10) chronicles the stories of two escape attempts. On Bastille Day (July 14), ESP teams up with a local cabaret act to reenact the storming of the Bastille. And see for yourself why Terror Behind the Walls (September–November) is ranked as one of the country’s best haunted houses. Warning: Not for the faint of heart! But then, neither was being a prisoner at Eastern State Penitentiary.

PHOTOS COURTESY EASTERN STATE PENITENTIARY

For more information, call 215.236.3300 or visit easternstate.org.

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The colorful history of the former Eastern State Penitentiary

he birthplace of American art is also the nation’s first fine arts school and museum.

PAFA trains many great artists and is home to one of the most important collections of American art. Visitors won’t want to miss all the features that PAFA offers. Q The museum’s permanent collection and special exhibitions feature historical and contemporary American art and explore its significance within an international context. Q PAFA’s distinguished faculty and talented fine-arts students create exceptional works, exhibited in art galleries around the world. Q PAFA’s Historic Landmark Building, a High Victorian Gothic structure designed in 1876 by Frank Furness and George W. Hewitt, is one of the nation’s cultural treasures. Q Designed by internationally renowned landscape architecture firm OLIN, PAFA’s Lenfest Plaza offers an inviting civic space for visitors to Philadelphia. Q The installation of Claes Oldenburg’s towering 51-foot Paint Torch on PAFA’s Lenfest Plaza makes Philadelphia home to four large-scale public sculptures by the artist, more than any other city. Clockwise from top: Lenfest Plaza; a PAFA student; Din Avec la Main Dans le Miroir by Mickalene Thomas For more information, visit pafa.org.

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Petal Pushers

The Philadelphia International Flower Show promises to be “Brilliant!” in 2013.

By Lynn Coulter

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n 1829, members of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) first introduced the poinsettia and other exotic plant species to the American public, making a name for the society and the event.

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dventurers won’t have to dig for treasure this summer. With a “passport” from the Brandywine Museums & Gardens Alliance, you’ll discover a wealth of cultural gems in a ten-mile radius.

photos courtesy of brandywine Museums & gardens alliance

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Brandywine Valley’s popular Passport program is back.

photo Courtesy of Pennsylvania Horticultural Society

From that first exhibition, the Philadelphia International Flower Show was on its way to becoming one of the top horticultural events. The annual springtime show spotlights the newest gardening trends and plant varieties, and the best in floral and landscape design. It’s now the largest indoor flower show in the U.S., with 10 Visit theflowershow.com acres of exhibitions to learn more about the Philadelphia International in the Pennsylvania Flower Show, Brilliant!, Convention Center running the first week of and a multisensory March 2013. experience full of For more information about the Pennsylvania blooms, inspiring Horticultural Society, go art, music, dance, to PHSonline.org. and food.

The Flower Show hosts hundreds of gardening presentations, family activities, and a mammoth Marketplace. New features include the reality TV–styled Designer’s Studio, where professionals and amateurs cross stems in flowerarranging competitions, and scores of other attractions, from the elegant Garden Tea to the laid-back Man Cave. Horticultural enthusiasts are already anticipating the 2013 Flower Show in early March, which will be, as its name suggests, Brilliant! A celebration of the gardens, landscapes, and the refined design sense of Great Britain, the show will focus on the international cultural capital, London, and will showcase Britain’s historical and contemporary landscapes, emphasizing the passion the British have for gardening. All the culture and competition of the event is for a good cause. Proceeds from the Flower Show have a direct impact on Philadelphia communities. The show benefits the urban greening programs of PHS, such as City Harvest, which creates green jobs and raises fresh produce for 1,000 families in need each week. What better definition of “flowering” is there?

Stroll the “Treasure Trail”

For just $35 per adult — or $75 for a family of two adults and up to three children — the Treasure Trail Passport program gives you admission to 11 spectacular attractions in the historic Brandywine Valley region. All are conveniently clustered within ten miles of Wilmington, Delaware (just 30 miles southwest of Philadelphia). Passports are valid through Labor Day, so you can explore a different garden, museum, or historic site each week — or as many as you want, in one day. “The program offers many attractions that families will enjoy,” says Molly Keresztury,

Chair of the Alliance. “It’s an amazing way to see a variety of gardens, and explore history and fine and contemporary arts.” Nemours Mansion & Gardens is a new addition to the program, which also includes the Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts, Delaware Art Museum, Brandywine River Museum, and Longwood Gardens. Winterthur Museum, Garden, and Library is a highlight, with its 60-acre garden and world-renowned research library. The trail also leads to the Delaware Historical Society and Read House, Delaware Museum of Natural History, Hagley Museum and Library, Mt. Cuba Center, and Rockwood Park and Museum. Claim your passport and hit the trail for treasures, learning, and fun.

Clockwise from left: Peirce’s Woods at Longwood Gardens, exploring reef life at Delaware Museum of Natural History, Persian Window glassworks by Dale Chihuly at Delaware Art Museum, Hagley Museum & Library

brandywinetreasures.org 800.489.6664

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History Meets

Art

With deep historical roots, Montgomery County is fast becoming an arts destination.

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Eighteen miles from Philadelphia in Montgomery County, this convention destination and bustling center of commerce is not only steeped in history but also renowned for its shopping (think: King of Prussia Mall) and its rich arts and cultural scene.  So rich, in fact, that Creative Montco, a bold new collaboration of the county’s arts community and nontraditional partners was established, with generous funding from the William Penn Foundation, to leverage the area’s creative economy. And certainly, Montgomery County’s

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wealth of cultural offerings — from fine art and architecture to three guys named Larry, Curly, and Moe — are proof positive that such partnerships are working. Consider the Philip and Muriel Berman Museum of Art at Ursinus College. Widely regarded as one of America’s finest small college art museums, it exhibits more than 4,000 works, including a spectacular outdoor collection of large-scale bronze, steel, and granite sculptures throughout the rural campus. Then there’s the Abington Art Center, which features installations by local and national contemporary artists incorporated into the landscape. The center’s peaceful 27-acre sculpture garden morphs into a concert venue each summer. This year’s series includes Philadelphia’s PanCeltic rock band Barleyjuice. If music is indeed your pleasure, how about 80 hours of it on six stages over a period of four days? Every August, thousands of fans flock to Schwenksville’s Old Poole Farm for the Phila-

Pan-Celtic band by K. Bailey Fucanan, Other photos by Jonathan Kolbe

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he name Valley Forge conjures heroic images of George Washington transforming a ragtag Continental Army into a formidable force that marched on to victory in the American Revolution.

delphia Folk Festival, the longest running event of its kind in the United States. Legendary singer-songwriters Arlo Guthrie, David Holt, and Pete Seeger are regulars, but look for surprise performances by superstars such as Bob Dylan and Bonnie Raitt. The 51st annual festival runs August 17–19. Equally impressive is the architecture in the Valley Forge area, from the Romanesquestyle Glencairn Museum to Frank Lloyd Wright’s futuristic Temple Beth Sholom to the Gothic Revival Washington Memorial Chapel at Valley Forge National Historical Park. Home to an active congregation, the chapel’s soaring stained glass depicts both the life of Christ and America’s earliest history. You can see more architectural gems — three centuries’ worth — along Montgomery County’s several main streets, which also boast professional playhouses. The Barrymore Award–winning Act II Playhouse in Ambler and intimate Montgomery Theater in Souderton showcase classic and contemporary works, musicals, and dramas. After taking in a show, be sure to explore the nearby charming shops, touting the unique to the antique, and the excellent eateries and artisan boutiques such as Souderton’s innovative Clay Rat Studio. Film also has a strong presence in Montgomery County. Along Philadelphia’s fabled Main Line, the Bryn Mawr Film Institute shows international, independent, and thought-provoking films and hosts film education programs, discussion groups, and appearances by filmmakers in a renovated historic theater. Beyond its namesake genre, the institute regularly screens HD broadcasts of theater, ballet, and opera performances from around the globe. Last, but certainly not least to any film buff, is the world’s only shrine dedicated to the ever-popular Three Stooges. The by-appointment Stoogeum in Springhouse displays nearly 100,000 pieces of memorabilia, movie props, and costumes and screens the fun in a state-of-the-art 85-seat theater. It is, in a word, “poifect” . . . much like the Valley Forge area itself.

Clockwise from top left: The Art Barn at Montgomery County Community College, Valley Forge National Historic Park, and Montgomery Theater in Souderton

Valley Forge and Montgomery County The Abington Art center features the Pan-Celtic rock band Barleyjuice as part of this year’s concert series.

For more information about the arts in Valley Forge and Montgomery County, please visit valleyforge.org.

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Community Connection University City District is invigorating the neighborhood.

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Right to left: Summer series; The Porch at 30th Street Station

Digging for Truth

photo by

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Penn Museum’s newest exhibit strives to answer the question of the year.

BY Beth expressed through D’Addono intricate calendar systems and the power wielded by their divine kings, including a dynasty of 16 kings that ruled for nearly four centuries at Copan in Honduras. Through an array of 150 objects, including ancient Maya artifacts recently excavated by Penn Museum archaeologists at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Copan, a startling story emerges. Elaborately carved treasures found in funerary temples, tombs, and royal residences paint a portrait of a flourishing civilization so advanced in mathematics and astronomy that its calendar Timed tickets to the exhibition system intrigues to this day. (includes admission to the Will the world end by December 23, museum) are on sale by phone (888.695.0888), 2012? Follow Maya 2012 on a trip under or through the museum’s the pyramids at Copan, where you can Web site (penn.museum/2012). decide for yourself.

id the ancient Maya really believe the world was going to end in 2012? Find out at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.

Photo courtesy of Instituto Hondureño de Antropología e Historia

How? By offering plenty of cultural opportunities, a high quality of life, and fun events that keep the neighborhood hoppin’. Young energy fills University City streets thanks to the presence of Drexel University, University of Pennsylvania, and USciences. Students and visitors flock to neighborhood parks (Clark Park is a favorite with a popular farmers’ market) as well as the hottest new public space, the Porch at 30th Street Station. A welcoming gateway at the train station, The Porch offers free events such as circus performances, yoga classes, live music, and a seasonal farmers’ market. University City also boasts one of the highest concentrations of arts and cultural organi-

zations in Philadelphia and is home to the Penn Museum, the Institute of Contemporary Art, the Rotunda (free daily performances!), International House Philadelphia (the city’s only avant-garde cinema), and more. And as one of the most diverse neighborhoods, University City serves up flavors from Vietnam, Lebanon, Laos, West Africa, Thailand, and India. Plus gourmet food trucks like Honest Tom’s, Pitrico Pizza, Pure Fare, and Guapos Tacos. Did we mention it’s also home to Jose Garces’ Distrito and JG Domestic as well as Bobby Flay’s Bobby’s Burger Palace? Wash it all down at local pubs like City Taphouse, Local 44, and speakeasy Fiume. July 12–26, diners enjoy inexpensive prix fixe dining throughout the neighborhood as part of University City Dining Days. Other notable events include the 40th Street Summer Series, which offers free outdoor performances every fourth Saturday (June–September), and the Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll, a street festival every third Thursday (July–September) featuring dollar deals and so much more.

photos (left to right) Klye Ober, Conrad Erb

Learn more about the University City District at universitycity.org.

s a nonprofit economic development organization in West Philadelphia, University City District works to advance the community.

A leader in world archaeological discovery since its founding 125 years ago, Penn Museum offers visitors a rare opportunity to view spectacular examples of classic Maya art — many never before seen outside Honduras. MAYA 2012: Lords of Time, a world premiere exhibition running only in Philadelphia through January 13, 2013, views the prediction of this transformative apocalypse through the lens of ancient Maya civilization. Presented in partnership with the Instituto Hondureño de Antropología e Historia of the Republic of Honduras, the exhibit takes visitors on a journey through the Maya’s time-ordered universe,

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Where Nature Equals Fun

Art Excites, Inspires, & Engages at the Arthur Ross Gallery, University of Pennsylvania.

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elebrating its 30th anniversary in 2013, the Arthur Ross Gallery is the vision of its namesake, a New York business titan and former University of Pennsylvania student.

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30th Anniversary Exhibitions California Impressionism: Masters of Light August 18–October 28, 2012 9 Perspectives on a Photography Collection November 9, 2012–January 20, 2013 Creating: Quilts of the Lakota February 1–April 5, 2013 30! A Celebration of the Arthur Ross Gallery April 12–July 28, 2013

photos (Clockwise from top left) by Paul Warchoal, Paul Meyer, Judy Miller

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Discover Morris Arboretum, the University of Pennsylvania’s premier public garden.

photo Courtesy of the Arthur Ross Gallery

Located in the historic Fisher Fine Arts LiAbove: brary, the gallery is a vibrant campus cultural Heitor dos Prazeres, 1898–1966, Roda de center that presents exhibitions of art and artiSamba (Samba Circle), facts from around the world, and offers educa1957, oil on particle board, Museum of Fine tional outreach to underserved Philadelphia Arts, Boston, The John schools. Axelrod Collection– Frank B. Bemis Fund “While the Arthur Ross Gallery’s footprint and Charles H. Bayley may be small, our impact on campus and Fund; Jack Warner tours American throughout Philadelphia is big,” says Lynn Odyssey with Marsden-Atlass, director and university curaschoolkids. tor. “Our global exhibitions, citywide partnerships, and related programs engage a broad audience. Our 220 S. 34th St., multidisciplinary outreach Philadelphia, PA program excites the 4th- and Free and open to the public. 5th-grade students.” Hours: weekdays Recent exhibitions include 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; In Material: Fiber 2012 featurweekends noon–5 p.m. Closed Mondays. ing internationally renowned upenn.edu/ARG or artists Sonya Clark, Lucy Arai215.898.2083 Abramson, Mi-Kyoung Lee,

and Cynthia Schira; the show was curated by Dejáy Duckett, associate director. On view through July 29, Samba Sessão: Afro-Brazilian Art and Film features 18 Brazilian paintings and sculptures collected by John P. Axelrod in the 1990s and lent by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. The multimedia show is the product of a Halpern-Rogath curatorial seminar led by Penn professors Gwendolyn DuBois Shaw and Tamara J. Walker, and organized in collaboration with the Arthur Ross Gallery. Music and film clips, samba dancing, bateria drumming, and the martial art known as capoeira are all showcased as part of Samba Sessão, bringing a bit of Brazil to West Philadelphia.

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orris Arboretum invites visitors to go Out on a Limb — for a bird’s-eye view of its lush 92-acre forest just a short drive from downtown Philly.

The Arboretum’s Out on a Limb canopy walk, 50 feet up in the treetops, gives visitors a new perspective of nature. Children scamper onto the Squirrel Scramble, a giant hammock between two towering trees, and peek at the forest through the twigs of an oversize robin’s nest. Back on the ground, there’s something to discover around every turn of the Arboretum’s paved paths: 15 unique water features, secret garden areas, a glasshouse fernery, a swan pond, and a world-class rose garden. Visitors are transported to an earlier time via a bucolic landscape that offers a peaceful refuge from life today.

As a living museum, Above: Out on a Limb on the Morris Arboretum features Squirrel Scramble, an outstanding collection of Gayle E. Maloney Garden; Below: historic and champion trees, children enjoying the such as the 250-year-old Rose Garden Bender Oak and the sprawling katsura. This summer, visitors will discover the Garden Railway, with the theme Storytime Rail. This miniature world of castles and cottages features a quarter-mile track with 15 different rail lines and model trains that zip through tunnels and over bridges. Celebrating 125 years of a vision set forth by its founders, Morris Arboretum embraces stewardship, conservation, and education, and 100 E. Northwestern Ave. introduces visitors to learning in Philadelphia, PA 19118 nature. Just ask anyone — nature 215.247.5777 is fun! usairwaysmag.com

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From June 15 to July 1, the theater presents Hazard County, which uses iconic 1980s TV series The Dukes of Hazzard to discuss stereotypes about the South and the impact of the media and of pop culture. azukatheatre.org

Off the Beaten Path

Q EGOPO CLASSIC THEATER

Philadelphia’s alternative theater companies present creative, thought-provoking works.

In fact, Philly is the fourth largest theater city in the U.S. Many small to midsize companies found their start in the annual Philadelphia Fringe Festival, and developed their own unique niche, from high-energy musicals to contemporary Celtic works. But they have two important things in common: They produce high-quality, critically acclaimed theater, and they proudly call Philadelphia home. Now, a consortium of edgy, independent companies calling themselves Off-Broad Street, along with the independent company Theatre Exile, are working to promote the city’s alternative theater scene. Intrigued? Read on to find out more about these trailblazing performers.

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Q 11TH HOUR THEATRE COMPANY

In just six seasons, 11th Hour Theatre Company has established a reputation for producing small-scale musicals that pack a big emotional punch. Productions like Bomb-itty of Errors, an “ad-rap-tation” of Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors, and The World Goes ’Round, have earned the young company 27 Barrymore Award nominations, Philadelphia’s equivalent to the Tony Awards.

PHOTOS BY EGOPO CLASSIC THEATER, 11TH HOUR THEATRE COMPANY, THEATRE EXILE AND MICHAEL ALLTOP

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hiladelphia’s theater scene has grown dramatically in the last 20 years, with a plethora of small companies staging some of the coolest shows in the city.

Next up: The Marvelous Wonderettes, which transports the audience to the 1958 Springfield High School prom, with classic hits of the ’50s and ’60s including “Mr. Sandman,” “Son of a Preacher Man,” and “Respect!” The Marvelous Wonderettes runs June 1 through June 24 at the Adrienne Theater. 11thhourtheatrecompany.org Q AZUKA THEATRE

For 13 years, Azuka Theatre has produced captivating stories from unexpected perspectives, from The Long Christmas Ride Home where past and present collide in the back of the family sedan on a snowy Christmas eve, to the world premiere of the terrible girls, a dark Southern comedy about three friends struggling with secrets. This season, Azuka inaugurated Philadelphia’s newest theater space — the intimate Off Broad Street Theatre in the First Baptist Church at 17th and Sansom streets — with Act a Lady, exploring identity and gender.

EgoPo Classic Theater, now in its 19th year, has called San Francisco, New York, and New Orleans home before settling in Philadelphia seven years ago following Hurricane Katrina. Nationally renowned for innovative stagings of great classic plays, the company’s visionary designs, dynamic acting, and fierce imagination have made them a breakout hit in Philadelphia. EgoPo is the only company in Philadelphia to produce yearlong festivals dedicated to a single genre or playwright, bringing audiences into a deeper connection with the works. Past festivals have included Samuel Beckett, Tennessee Williams, Jewish Classic Theater, and Expressionism. For the 2012– 2013 season, EgoPo will present The American Vaudeville Festival with shows examining the American icons Jesse James, Harry Houdini, and the fictional Uncle Tom.

Left page, top: 11th Hour Theatre Company’s Bomb-itty of Errors This page, from left: Theatre Exile’s A Behanding in Spokane, Flashpoint Theatre Company’s Slip/Shot, EgoPo Classic Theatre’s Artaud Unbound Left page, bottom: Brat Productions’ Naked Cocktail

Q BRAT PRODUCTIONS

Since launching EYE-95 in the first Philadelphia Fringe Festival in 1996, Brat Productions has become a prominent player in Philly’s alternative theater scene. Written by founding Brat artistic director Madi Distefano, the Southern punk musical featured Frito-Pie, puppets, cheerleaders, and a full rockabilly band. Brat has continued to make theater with a gritty rock ’n’ roll aesthetic ever since. The company’s sweaty 24-hour marathon production of Ionesco’s absurdist classic The � usairwaysmag.com

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Top, clockwise from left: artistic directors Joe Canuso, Kevin Glaccum, Tom Reing, Madi Distefano, Michael O’Brien, Peter Reynolds, Lane Savadove Bottom: Azuka Theatre’s Hope Street

Bald Soprano has become legendary among devoted local fans, but the company has also toured internationally, garnering critical acclaim and awards as far away as the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Brat Productions will return to the Philly Fringe Festival with two original rock spectacles this September. bratproductions.org Q FLASHPOINT THEATRE COMPANY

Q INIS NUA THEATRE COMPANY

Inis Nua Theatre Company celebrates the rich storytelling cultures of Ireland, England, Scotland, and Wales. Pronounced in-ish new-ah, which translates to “new island,” the company imports provocative, contemporary theater from the British Isles directly to Philadelphia, having produced five American premieres in its eight-year history. Its American debut of Dublin by Lamplight, a commedia dell’arte rendering of the tragedies of 1904 Dublin, took the company off-Broadway last year. For the 2011–12 sea-

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Q MAUCKINGBIRD THEATRE COMPANY

Founded by artistic director Peter Reynolds and managing director Lindsay Mauck, Mauckingbird Theater Company produces gay-themed shows exploring classic literature and musical genres — and, the critics rave, “simply good theater.” Mauckingbird’s acclaimed past produc-

PHOTOS BY INIS NUA THEATRE COMPANY, MAUCKINGBIRD THEATRE COMPANY, BRAT PRODUCTIONS, AZUKA THEATRE AND PLATE 3 PHOTOGRAPHY

In 2003, five friends from Drew University settled in Philadelphia and established Flashpoint Theatre Company, a home for socially provocative theater. Nine years later, many of its founders have moved on to new projects, but Flashpoint’s reputation for bold, avantgarde theater continues to grow under the leadership of artistic director Thom Weaver. This season, the company staged The Fat Cat Killers, a dark revenge comedy for the current economic downturn, and the distressingly timely, critically acclaimed Slip/Shot by Philadelphia playwright Jacqueline Goldfinger, which details the aftermath of a white cop’s accidental shooting of a black teenager. flashpointtheatre.org

son, Inis Nua established itself off-Broad Street, with performances of Irish plays Little Gem and The Walworth Farces at the Off Broad Street Theatre. inisnuatheatre.org

tions include Shakespeare’s R & J, an all-male version of Romeo and Juliet, and a lesbian adaptation of Hedda Gabler. The company has also produced a repertory of two one-man shows about influential gay writers Truman Capote and James Baldwin; a gender-bending interpretation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream; and regional premieres of [title of show] and The Temperamentals. mauckingbird.org Q THEATRE EXILE

Some of the words that have been used to describe Theatre Exile: “fierce,” “sexy,” “mind-blowing,” “unnerving,” and “unlike

any show you’ve ever seen.” For 15 years, the company has presented Philadelphia with theater that artistic director Joe Canuso admits is “more interested in illuminating questions than providing easy answers.” He’s referring to productions such as the Philadelphia premieres of the unsettling love story Blackbird, the macabre Broadway hit A Behanding in Spokane, and the volatile dark comedy Killer Joe. It’s theater, Canuso says, that reflects Philadelphia as unpretentious, emotionally honest, and “dependably unpredictable.” theatreexile.org

Top: Brat Productions’ Eternal Glamnation Above left: Mauckingbird Theatre Company’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream Above right: Inis Nua Theatre Company’s Little Gem

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By Ivy Lamb

Recreating

History through Music

Vox Ama Deus captures the original spirit of Renaissance, Baroque, and Classical music.

Maestro Valentin Radu, founder, Artistic Director, and Conductor of Vox Ama Deus

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Born in Romania, Radu began studying music at age four, and debuted as a concert pianist at age six. After studying at Bucharest Academy of Music and Paris Conservatoire, he went on to study at Juilliard, gaining a masters and doctorate in musical arts. When he settled in Philadelphia with his wife after traveling Europe as a performer and conductor, Radu wanted to bring the music he loved to his adopted city. “When I moved to Philadelphia, there was no organization focused on Renaissance, Baroque, and Classical music,” he says. “I wanted to fill that gap.” And that’s exactly what Radu did, founding Vox Ama Deus in 1987. Translated as “Voice of

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Mozart & Bach Soirée Sept. 23, 2012 Magic Mozart Oct. 26, 2012 Festa Vivaldi Nov. 9 & 11, 2012 Renaissance Noel Nov. 30, Dec. 2, 2012 Handel Messiah Dec. 7-9, 14-16, 2012 Gershwin & More Jan. 4, 2013 Renaissance Candlemas Feb. 8 & 10, 2013 Bach Gala March 3, 2013

Vox Renaissance Consort

Bach St. John Passion March 29, 2013

the Love of God,” Vox Ama Deus also plays on Mozart’s name, one of Radu’s idols. Led by Artistic Director and Conductor Radu, the nonprofit performs historically accurate works composed from 1575 to 1825. The organization’s three groups capture the spirit of high Renaissance, Baroque, and Classical music through period and baroque instruments, costumes, and performance practices. Vox Renaissance Consort singers perform madrigals (Renaissance love ballads), and sacred music. The larger Ama Deus Ensemble brings the masterworks of Bach, Beethoven, Handel, Mozart, and Vivaldi to life, while the more intimate chamber orchestra Camerata Ama Deus recreates the original experience of hearing Baroque and Classical music, as these works were first performed in the sitting rooms of manors and palaces. While these groups are different, each strives to perform at the highest artistic standards. Exacting and passionate, Radu draws high-caliber performances from professional musicians and community singers alike. His efforts have paid off: Vox Ama Deus is a staple at the Perelman Theater in Philadelphia’s Kimmel Center, and has recorded nine live performances and 12 studio albums with more in the works. For Radu, this success is an opportunity to bring famous and lesser-known

Ama Deus Ensemble

photos (clockwise from left) courtesy of kimmel center, by Alexander Iziliaev (3), and paul marchesano

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or Maestro Valentin Radu, bringing Renaissance, Classical, and Baroque masterpieces back to life is more than a mission; it’s a way of life.

2012–2013 Season XXVI

Vox Ama Deus To learn more about Vox Ama Deus, visit voxamadeus.org.

European composers to American listeners, and increase appreciation for classical music. “My personal mission is to educate,” Radu says. “People enjoy music so much more when they know about the composer, his style and influences, and the historical context.” And the conductor shows no signs of slowing down. Although Vox Ama Deus focuses on classical music, the group is branching out into American jazz, Radu’s second love. The 2012– 2013 season will include more symphonic jazz by George Gershwin and his contemporaries. Whether he’s conducting Renaissance madrigals, Mozart, or jazz, Radu’s focus on creating beautiful music doesn’t waver. He says, “Every year and every day is important to me.”

Beethoven Gala May 10, 2013 Baroque Spring May 31, June 2, 2013

Camerata Ama Deus

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Art for Life’s Sake

Film Philosophy

Philadelphia is improving lives, one mural at a time. BY LESLIE DUNNE SADLER

Across the city, the Philadelphia Film Society lays out the red carpet.

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by Martha-Page Althaus

ilm as art. That’s the motto of the Philadelphia Film Society, which sponsors programs and a top-ranked festival that promotes film as an art form and an instrument of cultural change.

Below: actor Paul Rudd autographs a festival poster, and Elmo with Kevin Clash — the voice behind the iconic Muppets character

Throughout the year, the member-based organization hosts sneak previews, post-screening Q&A sessions (often with the filmmakers themselves), film-education courses, screenwriting workshops, and more. But the society’s best-known production is the annual Philadelphia Film Festival (this year, October 18–28). Now in its 21st year, the festival brings some of the world’s best cinema to Philadelphia. Many of the films screened at last year’s event, such as The Descendants, My Week With Mari-

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PHOTO BY BY STEVE WEINIK

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I photos by Philadelphia Film Society

For more information on joining, visit filmadelphia.org /membership.

lyn, and The Artist, garnered critical acclaim and Academy Award nominations. Each year, festival programmers attend the industry’s most prestigious events — from Sundance to Cannes to Toronto, and several in between — to select the titles screened in Philadelphia. From action to animation and documentaries to drama, the festival hosts more than 250 screenings of some 150 titles. Other can’t-miss highlights include director Q&As, galas and VIP receptions, panel discussions with local and national entertainment industry professionals, and awards ceremonies. More than 100 filmmakers and actors attend each year, and events are held at venues across the city. Looking for your all-access pass? Philadelphia Film Society members enjoy weekly preview screenings (more than 70 in 2011), advance tickets for the festival, plus other benefits. Action!

If a picture’s worth a thousand words, Philadelphia, the “mural capital of the world,” can fill an encyclopedia.

In 1984, Mayor Wilson Goode was concerned about the amount of graffiti in Philadelphia, so he made a remarkable decision. Rather than stunt creativity and self-expression, he decided to focus on it and celebrate it. He hired muralist Jane Golden to seek out these mysterious graffiti artists and teach them the art of creating murals. Golden quickly befriended the artists, recognizing their potential and raw talent. Before long, she was helping them beautify their neighborhoods. In 1996, Mayor Ed Rendell announced that what had been an “anti-graffiti” mission was to be officially recognized as the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program. Fast-forward to 2012 and Mural Arts has

become a model among arts organizations, with an international reputation for artistic excellence and social innovation. Today, Mural Arts has produced more than 3,500 murals in collaboration with communities, educated over 25,000 young people through free art educational programs, and worked with more than 3,000 individuals affected by the justice system through a Restorative Justice program. Indeed, as Jane Golden says, “art saves lives.” In Philadelphia, these incredible murals not only save lives but enhance lives for visitors and residents alike. Visitors to Philadelphia can choose from several tours offered by the Mural Arts Program, including a trolley tour, a map for a self-guided tour, a “Mural Mile Walking Tour” — which features the most artful mile in town — a “Love Letter Train Tour,” and even an “Ale & Arts” tour, where art shares the stage with local breweries. Whether participating in the mural making, or simply enjoying a tour, it’s powerfully clear that the Mural Arts Program is true to its mission “to create art that transforms public spaces and individual lives.”

From left: Dr. J by Kent Twitchell and Le Virtu by Brian Senft

For more information, to book a tour, or to support this powerful program, visit muralarts.org.

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Art for Everyone, Anytime!

Clockwise from far left: Artist’s rendering of Open Air by Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, Iroquois by Mark di Suvero, a listener uses Museum Without Walls: AUDIO at Love Park, and Joan of Arc by Emmanuel Frémiet

The Association for Public Art continues a 140-year tradition of promoting and protecting outdoor sculpture in Philadelphia.

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Whether on the street, in a park, or throughout the city’s neighborhoods, art is a part of everyday life — exactly the intention of the Association for Public Art (aPA). Founded in 1872, the Association for Public Art (formerly the Fairmount Park Art Association), is the nation’s first private nonprofit organization dedicated to public art and urban planning. With multiple purposes of commissioning, preserving, promoting, and interpreting public art in Philadelphia, aPA has, over the years, placed an impres-

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sive selection of sculpture in various settings. “It’s amazing,” says Executive Director Penny Balkin Bach. “You can walk the streets of Philadelphia, especially the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, and come upon outdoor artworks that parallel the history of American sculpture.” As early as the 1880s, for example, aPA worked with Philadelphia’s French community to commemorate the centennial of the French Revolution with the installation of Joan of Arc by sculptor Emmanuel Frémiet. Fast-forward a century to Form and Function and New•Land•Marks, groundbreaking programs that invited artists to propose public art projects for Philadelphia that would be site-specific and

photos courtesy of apa, by Greg Benson and Albert Yee

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f you want to see one of the largest collections of public art in America, then just take a walk through Philadelphia.

integral to community life. More recently, the Association installed Iroquois, a bright red, 40-foot-tall monumental work by contemporary artist Mark di Suvero, that stands along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway near the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. And this fall, from September 20 through October 14, aPA will present the world premiere of Open Air, a spectacular interactive public art experience by acclaimed Mexican-Canadian artist Rafael LozanoHemmer, made up of interactive searchlights that will illuminate the night sky. Audiences will be encouraged to participate by activating the artwork through mobile technology, while their voices and GPS locations trigger searchlights to create immense light sculptures. Interactivity — and preservation — are crucial to keeping the works of art vital. So the aPA provides annual maintenance for a number of the city’s most beloved outdoor sculptures and occasionally takes on more comprehensive conservation projects. Additionally, it has introduced

a variety of innovative initiatives, such as on-thestreet sculpture-making workshops for kids, live music and dance events at sculpture locations, and roving “public art ambassadors” to encourage residents and visitors to look at Philadelphia’s public art in a new way. Want to learn more? The Association for Public Art offers all types of interpretive programming, including an interactive Web site, tours, publications, maps, and Museum Without Walls™: AUDIO, a multiplatform audio experience available 215.546.7550 for free by cell phone, audio download, associationforpublicart.org or on the Web. Listeners can access this award-winning program on-site or online to hear the fascinating stories behind these sculptures, featuring artists, educaAccess Museum Without tors, scientists, writers, curators, civic Walls™: AUDIO leaders, and historians — each with a By phone: 215.399.9000 unique connection to the artworks. Online: museumwithout wallsaudio.org The Association for Public Art is Download: MWW: ensuring that public art truly is available AUDIO mobile app for everyone 24/7, no ticket necessary. usairwaysmag.com

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The Print Center Photographers and printmakers are the focus at this historic downtown showcase.

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ocated in a historic carriage house in downtown Philadelphia, The Print Center is an intimate venue showcasing the work of both established and emerging contemporary artists.

Awaken the Spirit

For nearly 100 years, the gallery has been supporting fine-art photography and printmaking, including letterpress, woodblock prints, and etchings. Founded in 1915, the nonprofit organization is the oldest gallery of its kind. Today, visitors can view changing exhibitions featuring renowned local, national, and international artists. Current exhibits include Emma Wilcox: Where it Falls (through July 28), a series of socially conscious aerial-view photographs. Upcoming shows feature two Philadelphia artists: an optical art print retrospective by Edna Andrade, and new woodcuts by Katie Baldwin dealing with the complexity of everyday human

Discover a place dedicated to Philadelphia art: Woodmere Art Museum.

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Above: Gallery featuring works collected by founder Charles Knox Smith

by Beth D’Addono

hen was the last time you felt transformed by a museum experience?

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1614 Latimer St. Philadelphia, PA 19103 215.735.6090 [email protected] printcenter.org Tuesday–Saturday, 11 a.m.– 6 p.m.

PHOTOS COURTESY THE PRINT CENTER

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photo Courtesy of Woodmere Art Museum

That’s how you’ll feel at Woodmere Art Museum, housed in an intimate, 19th-century Victorian mansion where visitors can escape from the hustle and bustle of downtown Philadelphia to discover the region’s art and artists in an idyllic setting. At the center of a bucolic six-acre estate, Woodmere adds cultural cachet to the charming and historic neighborhood of Chestnut Hill, just northwest of Center City Philadelphia. The museum’s unique collec9201 Germantown Ave. tion includes some 3,000 paintPhiladelphia, PA 19118 For more information, ings, drawings, photographs, and visit woodmereartmuseum.org sculptures that offer a portal into or call 215.247.0476. the city’s most influential creative

minds and chronicles a veritable who’s who of Philadelphia artists from the 19th century to the present. Woodmere is more than a collector of fine art. The museum also seeks to inspire creativity and engage visitors of all ages through a yearround roster of classes that provide art training to children and adults, a children’s gallery showcasing student exhibitions, family-friendly activities, and ongoing music programs that combine the aural and visual arts. Woodmere’s vibrant special exhibitions explore Philadelphia’s vast artistic legacy, while also featuring the work of many contemporary artists. The current retrospective of Salvatore Pinto (on view through July 15) explores the 20th-century transatlantic artist’s relationship with mentor Albert Barnes and teacher Henri Matisse. The exhibition Haunting Narratives: Detours from Philadelphia Realism (also on view through July 15) explores thematically dark and sometimes hauntingly strange works of art by Philadelphia artists since the 1930s.

life (September 14– November 17). Other Print Center events include its Annual International Competition, which is one of the nation’s most prestigious and oldest competitions. Its online exhibition begins this month. And mark your calendars for the center’s popular Annual Auction, held December 1. A visit to The Print Center isn’t complete without stopping by the Gallery Store, which boasts the largest selection of contemporary work for sale in Philadelphia. Take time to browse the prints, photographs, and artistmade items, including many locally produced pieces. Within easy walking distance of Philadelphia’s major hotels and shopping, The Print Center is a must-see for visitors. (Bonus: Free admission!) Visit the Web site — printcenter.org — for a list of current exhibitions and events.

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Clockwise from left: Spiral Q Puppet Theater; Ryan J. Greenheck spinning pottery; detail of Fireman’s Hall Museum exhibit

By Martha-Page Althaus

Cultural

Hub

Philadelphia Art Alliance is a showcase for contemporary craft and design.

An Art-Full Airport

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Philadelphia International Airport showcases the best of the region’s arts and culture.

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By Lynn Coulter

ew museums can boast of welcoming nearly 31 million annual visitors, but that’s the number of travelers who pass through Philadelphia International each year.

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photos courtesy of philadelphia art alliance

The learn more about the exhibits at PHL, visit phl.org.

Paintings, handmade pottery, embroidered textiles, wearable puppets, movie posters, historic photographs, and more catch the eye in 15 different locations. Each exhibit remains on display for six months, letting travelers sample work from a variety of regional artists. Throughout June, visitors can view a collection of photographs in Terminal A-East featuring the Tuskegee Airmen. The historical group were the first African Americans to break the military color barrier and gain admission to the U.S. Army Air Corps.

The connector between Terminals A-East and B houses an exhibit of “SK8Lamps,” old skateboards transformed into stylish lighting fixtures by Victor Perez, a former professional skateboarder. Also on display between Terminals C and D, an exhibit from the Fireman’s Hall Museum with leather buckets, fire prevention tips penned by Benjamin Franklin, and other firefighting artifacts. And in Terminal A-East, a youth gallery features textile collages made by students from Philadelphia’s Overbrook School for the Blind. The Airport’s award-winning exhibition program, which launched in 1998, is considered among the best of its kind in the U.S. Travelers stroll along as if they’re visiting fine-art galleries filled with free exhibits that entertain, educate, and help pass time between flights. Leah Douglas, the program’s director, simply explains, “Every show is a blockbuster.”

rich tradition of presenting up-and-coming artists. Three contemporary exhibitions are on display through August. In Flat Out: Screen Print Installation by Eva Wylie, the artist’s works use traditional printmaking and decoupage techniques. Some of her pieces include flat screen prints molded into elegant patterns resembling a patchwork quilt, while other 3-D works are screened directly onto the wall. Local sculptor Michael Fujita finds his muse in Philadelphia, with architectural sites and details throughout the city inspiring his pieces. In his exhibition Periphery, don’t miss his unique sculptures made from fused wood and ceramic materials. The city also influenced another featured artist: Adam Wallacavage, who visited Philadelphia’s Catholic churches for inspiration for his show Shiny Monsters, a series of ornamental chandeliers.

ocated in an Italian Renaissance– style mansion along Rittenhouse Square, the Philadelphia Art Alliance is one of the oldest arts centers in the United States.

Established in 1915, the Alliance has transformed from a multidisciplinary arts center to Philadelphia’s premier exhibition space for contemporary craft and design. Two floors of gallery space, totaling 4,000 square feet, provide the backdrop for roughly 12 exhibitions each year, and myriad lectures, concerts, and special events. Over the years, the Art Alliance has hosted some of the world’s most talented artists. Painter Andrew Wyeth held his first-ever solo exhibition here in 1936; renowned choreographer Merce Cunningham and composer John Cage performed together in 1950. And this summer, the Alliance continues its

One of the chandeliers from the exhibition Shiny Monsters, an installation by Adam Wallacavage

For more information, call 215.545.4302 or visit philartalliance.org.

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The

Kimmel Center

Revolutionary Opera

Philadelphia’s world-class home for the performing arts.

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Listen to renowned orchestras in the critically acclaimed Verizon Hall, see modern dance in the Perelman Theater, watch Broadway hits in the Academy of Music, listen to contemporary artists in the Perelman and Merriam theaters, or take in a free performance in the beautiful, Wi-Fi equipped Now celebrating its tenth anniversary, the Commonwealth Plaza, located at the base of Kimmel Center offers an exciting, year-round the soaring 150-foot vaulted glass roof and one mix of programming, including popular artists’ of the most engaging civic spaces in the city. presentations, the best in jazz, world, and classical music, and a Broadway Series packed with While there, enjoy delectable fare from Iron Chef Jose Garces’ own Garces Catering. hits. The center’s eight esteemed Resident And look for the return of the Philadelphia Companies — The Philadelphia Orchestra; International Festival of the Arts March 28– Peter Nero and The Philly Pops; Opera ComApril 27, 2013. Innovation, collaboration, and pany of Philadelphia; Pennsylvania Ballet; creativity continue as the primary tenets for next PHILADANCO!; The Chamber Orchestra of year’s PIFA, with more than 50 Philadelphia; The Philadelarts organizations expected to phia Chamber Music Sociparticipate. Those three words ety; and American Theater for the performing arts — innovation, collaboration, Arts for Youth — attract 300 South Broad St. Philadelphia, PA 19102 and creativity — could also audiences from across the kimmelcenter.org describe what the acclaimed region, the nation, and 215.790.5800 Kimmel Center is all about. the globe.

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Kimmel Center

PHOTOS COURTESY RICHARD TERMINE (TOP) AND KELLY & MASSA (BOTTOM).

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ravel + Leisure readers recently voted Philadelphia the nation’s top city for culture, and the Kimmel Center is proud to play a key role in shaping Philadelphia’s rich cultural history as its world-class home for the performing arts.

Photos courtesy of the kimmel center

Commonwealth Plaza

Opera Company of Philadelphia hits all the right notes — in two venues.

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launched the American Repertoire Program, a commitment to produce an American opera in each of the next ten seasons. The series begins this month with Dark Sisters, by Nico Muhly and Stephen Karam, the story of one woman’s struggle with her life in a polygamist community. Outside the opera house, OCP’s “Random Acts of Culture” — fun, Knight Foundation– sponsored, pop-up performances around the community — have drawn nearly 12 million viewers internationally on YouTube, while its Sounds of Learning in-school education program has reached more than 130,000 students since its inception, developing tomorrow’s opera audiences. Philadelphia’s operatic tradition is strong, and the Opera Company of Philadelphia is ensuring that its future is bright!

recent headline read “Opera Company of Philadelphia on its Way to Reinvention.” Though it practices a 400-yearold craft in a historic venue, the group embraces its city’s revolutionary spirit.

In addition to five main-stage operas at the historic, grand-scale Academy of Music and the contemporary, intimate Perelman Theater, and a tradition of nurturing the biggest names in emerging talent, under the leadership of General Director David Devan, OCP is attracting national attention and exciting Philadelphia’s opera lovers. After establishing the Aurora Series for Chamber Opera at the Perelman, where important works such as the U.S. premiere of Henze’s Phaedra come to life, OCP recently announced the nation’s first collaborative Composer in Residence Program; produced a free, public simulcast of Carmen on Independence Mall; and

Top: Soprano Caitlyn Lynch in Dark Sisters this month. Above: Tenor William Burden in Phaedra

For more information, visit operaphila.org or call 215.732.8400.

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By Martha-Page Althaus

Moving Performances Celebrated Pennsylvania Ballet unveils an impressive new season.

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Early Music meets — and delights— late moderns.

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The Food of Love Piffaro, the pied pipers of the early music world, performs the dances, songs, sacred polyphony, and pop tunes heard in the royal courts, cathedrals, feasts, and fairs of late medieval and Renaissance Europe. Piffaro has for 25 years thrilled audiences in Philadelphia, across North and South America, and throughout Europe, with the vibrant sounds of its period instruments — shawms, dulcians, and sackbuts (early oboes, bassoons, and trombones), recorders, bagpipes, lutes, and guitars. Its numerous recordings, including four on the prestigious Deutsche Grammophon label, and its many programs, often

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including choruses and dance, are nothing short of riveting. So, in the words of that great bard of the Renaissance, William Shakespeare, “If music be the food of love, play on!” Taking the World — by Storm The name means “Storm at Sea,” and Tempesta di Mare lives up to it with tempestuous, dynamic performances of music of the 17th and 18th centuries. Ten years old this year, Tempesta has established a major local, national, and international presence with concerts, tours, global radio broadcasts, and ongoing recordings on the British Chandos label. The Baroque period was an exciting time with superstar composers like Bach, Handel, and Vivaldi, diva opera singers, scheming impresarios, music-mad millionaires, and celebrity performers — not so different from today. With a full orchestra and guest vocalists, Tempesta brings the era back with the kind of style and dash that Louis XIV would have appreciated. Bravo!

photo by Alexander Iziliaev

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wo world-class Philadelphia ensembles, Piffaro the Renaissance Band and Tempesta di Mare Philadelphia Baroque Orchestra, captivate audiences.

photos by (from top) Andrew Kahl, Andrew Pinkham

For more information, visit piffaro.com and tempestadimare.org.

By Nancy Oakley

Pennsylvania Ballet see Shakespeare’s Principal Dancer madcap love story set Zachary Hench in Twyla Tharp’s to Mendelssohn, inPush Comes to Shove cluding his famous “Wedding March.” In the lively Carnival of the Animals (May 9–12, 2013), with narration written by actor John Lithgow, watch as creatures come to life in a boy’s dream. The season ends with two works by influential contemporary choreographers: William Forsythe’s edgy and angular Artifact Suite, and Jirí Kylián’s more fluid and soulful Forgotten Land (June 13–16, 2013). As Pennsylvania Ballet prepares for its upcoming 50th season, construction is underway on the Louise Reed Center for Dance. Located in Center City, this state-of-the-art facility will serve as Pennsylvania Ballet headquarters and home to the School of Pennsylvania Ballet, opening this fall to provide training for children and adults. There’s little doubt that Pennsylvania Ballet will For tickets, please visit the Kimmel Center Box Office, remain a Philadelphia insti300 S. Broad St., Philadelphia. tution for the next 50 years paballet.org and beyond.

ounded by Barbara Weisberger, a protégé of famed choreographer George Balanchine, Pennsylvania Ballet has wowed audiences and garnered critical acclaim for nearly 50 years.

Under the artistic direction of Roy Kaiser, the internationally renowned company, established in 1963, presents six programs each year ranging from time-honored classics to imaginative contemporary works. The 49th season opens with Giselle (October 18–28), a haunting Romantic-era story of doomed love between a peasant girl and a prince. The Ballet’s most popular production and one of Philadelphia’s beloved holiday traditions returns this year — the full-length production of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker (December 8–30). The production features dazzling sets and costumes. The Ballet presents three diverse works in one production with Square Dance, After the Rain, and Push Comes to Shove (February 7–10, 2013). When A Midsummer Night’s Dream takes the stage (March 7–17, 2013),

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Dynamic Duo

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A Sneak Peek WHYY’s film takes PBS viewers inside one

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rt enthusiasts across the nation will have the opportunity to get a rare glimpse into the life of a very private and brilliant man on August 3.

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That’s when WHYY-TV presents “The Barnes Collection,” a documentary about the late Dr. Albert C. Barnes and the magnificent works of art he owned. The collection of impressionist, post-impressionist, and early modern paintings, plus African sculptures and metalwork, is renowned as one of the finest in the world. This May, the Barnes Foundation relocated to a new campus on Benjamin Franklin Parkway, in the heart of the city’s cultural corridor. The striking new space, designed by architects Tod Williams and Billie Tsien, holds the collection like a jewel in a fine setting.

InLiquid: Where artists and art enthusiasts connect

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And InLiquid, the city’s hub for the visual arts, is ready for you, with an invitation to their signature summer event, Art for the Cash Poor. This block party and art sale, which is free and open to the public, runs from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, June 9 and 10, in the Crane Arts Building in Philadelphia. The fun kicks off with a preview on June 8 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., when the public can sneak a peek at some of the works. The event features the work of 100 participating artists each day. All works will be priced at $199 or less, to make art collecting accessible and easy to enjoy. It’s a casual event for the whole family, with live music, good food, and on-site artists eager to discuss their craft. Can’t make it? Connect with greater Philadelphia’s artists online through InLiquid, a

re you ready for a fabulous block party to benefit the visual arts in Philadelphia? Of course you are!

For more information, visit inliquid.org or call 215.235.3405.

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public nonprofit organization dedicated to providing opportunities and exposure for visual artists and designers. The group’s Web site links to exhibitions and programs, lectures, workshops, and more, helping connect artists as well as art enthusiasts. Stay in the flow with InLiquid’s ongoing community-based exhibitions and other events, hosted at the Painted Bride Art Center, International House Philadelphia, Crane Arts, and other venues throughout the city. On October 21, dive into CAFé, InLiquid’s community arts festival. Jump in! The water’s fine.

from left: © 2012 The Barnes Foundation (2), Daniel Burke Photography

Photos, from top left: Ribbons and Bows by C. Pazia Mannella (exhibited at URBN, 2011), Art for the Cash Poor, InLiquid’s Benefit v. 12 Auction

PHOTOS BY JENNIFER SCHICK (TOP LEFT), ANDREW ZAHN (TOP RIGHT) AND DILO DEMILLE

BY LYNN COULTER

WHYY, Greater Philadelphia’s leading public media provider, is presenting the show as part of the PBS Arts Summer Festival. Emmynominated actor David Morse gives voice to Dr. Barnes in the program, which traces his life from his working-class origins to his acquisition of 69 Cézanne paintings, more than in all of Paris. The collection also includes 60 Matisses, 44 Picassos, and 181 Renoirs, and major works by Degas, van Gogh, El Greco, Rubens, and others. “WHYY is thrilled to bring public television audiences nationwide this exciting look at one of the world’s finest art collections,” says Bill Marrazzo, WHYY president and CEO. “This represents a special opportunity for Philadelphia to join [other] cities as centerpiece locales in the PBS Arts series.”

To learn more about the program and the Barnes Foundation, visit pbs.org/arts. Watch “The Barnes Collection” on August 3.

From left: Dr. Albert C. Barnes, Vincent van Gogh’s 1889 painting The Postman (Joseph-Étienne Roulin), architects Tod Williams (left) and Billie Tsien

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Historic Playground

Ready, Set, Visit

Philadelphia’s past is ready to explore thanks to the one-two punch of a great museum and a spirited historic group.

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ne of the most iconic cities in the U.S., Philadelphia’s rich 330-year history is ever within reach at the Philadelphia History Museum and at the most historic area of town, fittingly called Historic Philadelphia.

The Independence Visitor Center helps you make the most of your time in the City of Brotherly Love.

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tching to see Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence was signed? Set on seeing one of the city’s many art museums? Or perhaps an evening at the opera?

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TELLING THE STORY

photo Courtesy of Independence Visitor center

Philadelphia is brimming with cultural opportunities, but fitting them all in takes some planning. That’s where the Independence Visitor Center comes in, with maps, brochures, and souvenirs, as well as tickets to popular tours, attractions, and performances. Located in the heart of One North Independence Mall West Philadelphia’s historic 6th and Market Streets district, the 50,000-squarePhiladelphia foot Visitor Center is the 800.537.7676 gateway to America’s Most Follow the Visitor Center on Twitter at @PHLVisitorCntr Historic Square Mile and for real-time Philadelphia happenings and the exclusive location for for your own personal concierge service. free, timed tickets to Inde-

pendence Hall. Plan your visit with the help of the Visitor Center’s multilingual concierge staff — they’ll suggest itineraries, give directions, and sell attraction and tour tickets. The Visitor Center also offers a welcome stop between activities, with restroom facilities, wireless Internet access, and history-themed films. Grab a bite to eat at Cafe Independence to fuel up for your next adventure. And before you leave, pick up something to remind you of your trip at the official gift shop of the Philadelphia region, Independence Store. (Best sellers include Liberty Bell statues, Philadelphia T-shirts, and books.) As you traverse the city, you’ll find visitor services at three other locations: City Hall, Love Park, and the newest addition at Sister Cities Park. And the Visitor Center is even going mobile. Philadelphia History This Way is an interactive app that guides visitors through the historic district, down streets walked by the Founding Fathers. Lace up your walking shoes! With the help of the Visitor Center, you really can see it all.

Fresh from a massive, three-year renovation, the Philadelphia History Museum at the Atwater Kent is dedicated to telling the city’s story through interactive exhibits, multimedia displays, and more than 100,000 objects such as handcrafted goods, paintings, street vendor carts, furniture, tools, and much more. The newly refurbished circa-1826 building features engaging galleries that explore how the city “evolved from the place where the Declaration of Independence was signed to the city known for cheesesteaks and soft pretzels,” according to the Web site. Permanent galleries also showcase Philadelphia’s impact on industry, sports, and food. And changing exhibits explore the city’s cultural side. Opening in July in the Community History gallery, works from the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Restorative Justice For more information, visit philadelphia Program showcase the history.org. art of inmates and

juveniles. An ongoing City Stories exhibition chronicles the history of Philadelphia. VISITING HISTORY

Sure, Historic Philadelphia is an iconic area of town to visit, but it’s also an organization that brings history to life via attractions such as Once Upon A Nation, The Betsy Ross House, Franklin Square, and Lights of Liberty. See Betsy Ross scurry by as she raises the flag each morning above her famed home. Enjoy free stories at Once Upon A Nation Storytelling Benches throughout Historic Philadelphia. Voyage on an inspirational 3-D journey through American history with Ben Franklin as your guide during The Liberty 360 Show at the PECO Theater. Get goosebumps watching the Founding Fathers argue the wording of the Declaration of Independence inside Independence Hall on an Independence After Hours Adventure Tour. Have some fun in Franklin Square riding the carousel or putting your ball through the crack in the Liberty Bell on a miniature golf For more information, course. visit historic Enjoy history right philadelphia.org. where it occurred.

Clockwise from top left: City Stories exhibition; enjoying Once Upon a Nation park bench stories; Betsy Ross raising the flag

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Freedom is Calling At the National Constitution Center.

BY Tara Titcombe

A Past Not Forgotten

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The American Swedish Historical Museum celebrates a rich cultural heritage.

he National Constitution Center embraces the story of “We the People,” and visitors to the museum will tell you they leave feeling inspired by what it means to be American.

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photos Courtesy of The American Swedish Historical Museum

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L photos courtesy of The national Constitution center

At the heart of it all is the oldest working constitution in the world, written 225 years ago across the street at Independence Hall. The National Constitution Center is an essential part of the historic Philadelphia experience, vividly bringing America’s founding document to life through state-of-the-art interactive exhibits, live perfor525 Arch St., Independence Mall mances, and programs that Philadelphia, PA 19106 engage visitors of all ages. 215.409.6700 You’ll get goose bumps constitutioncenter.org watching Freedom Rising,

a dazzling multimedia experience that illuminates the American quest for freedom. Inside the main exhibition, The Story of We the People, you can take the presidential oath of office, try on a Supreme Court robe, and mingle with 42 life-size bronze statues of the Founding Fathers in iconic Signers’ Hall. During this 225th anniversary year, reaffirm your commitment to freedom by signing the Center’s commemorative Constitution on-site or online at constitutioncenter.org. And let freedom ring — and rock — by checking out From Asbury Park to the Promised Land: The Life and Music of Bruce Springsteen — never before seen outside of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. This must-see exhibition (through September 3) features the Fender guitar from the cover of the Born to Run album, Springsteen’s outfit from the cover of Born in the U.S.A., handwritten lyric manuscripts, and much more. Freedom is calling. Discover it, sign it, rock it out . . . at the National Constitution Center.

Jenny Lind Room, and discover the life of Alfred Nobel and the history behind the Nobel Prize. The museum also boasts changing exhibits, art, and artifacts from the Viking Age through the 21st century. Beyond the variety of exhibit galleries, the museum also has an active events schedule including lectures, workshops, concerts, and education programs for the public at large. And throughout the year, the museum celebrates Swedish holidays and traditions, from the Midsommar summer solstice celebration (complete with maypoles) to the Saint Lucia Christmas festivities (including a Julmarknad, or Christmas Market). You can also take part in language, cooking, and music classes. No matter your heritage, you’ll find there’s plenty to discover at the American Swedish Historical Museum.

ong before there was William Penn, there were the Swedes and the Finns who formed one of the earliest European colonies, New Sweden, in what is now Philadelphia.

The American Swedish Historical Museum, located in South Philadelphia, tells the story of this early enclave and exhibits Swedish American culture, arts, and history. Just inside FDR Park, the stately museum was designed with both Swedish and American architectural elements. Inside, individually designed rooms and galleries display various components of Swedish culture. Discover rural life nearly 150 years ago in the Stuga, a re-created 19th-century Swedish farmhouse. Read up on Swedish royal history, genealogy, and more in the Nord Library, complete with Swedish-made mid-20th century furnishings. Learn about the famed Swedish singer in the

Clockwise from top left: Grand Hall staircase, Saint Lucia celebration, model of the boat that carried the first Swedish settlers, smorgasbord of Christmas food, dancing around the Midsommar pole

Museum Hours: Tuesday–Friday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Saturday–Sunday, 12–4 p.m. For more information, call 215.389.1776 or visit americanswedish.org.

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America’s First Zoo The Power of Play

This historic and beloved institution is reinventing the zoo experience — for animals as well as visitors.

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Please Touch Museum inspires young minds.

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The fun begins when you walk in the door, where a 40-foot Statue of Liberty sculpture, made of toys and games, greets visitors. From there, the museum’s six exhibit zones take the littlest minds on an educational adventure. Hop aboard the Pennsylvania Railroad for a visit to the 1876 World’s Fair — Memorial Hall is one the last surviving buildings from the historic event. In the City Capers zone, Doogie Howser wannabes can drive an ambulance and operate an X-ray machine. Make your own rocket ship and explore outer space in the Flight Fantasy area. Back on terra firma, the Roadside Attractions exhibit lets kids set up road signs, collect tolls, and explore the Rocket Express Monorail. Need a break? Take a spin on a refurbished

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1908 carousel before continuing the adventure — there’s plenty more to see and do. Race sailboats on the river and see animals in Nature’s Pond before heading to the Rainforest Rhythm exhibit, where conga drums and stuffed jungle animals await. And just like Alice, jump down the rabbit hole to discover Wonderland, complete with a hall of mirrors, tea party, and more topsy-turvy, interactive fun. Whew! It’s no wonder Forbes and Parents magazines name Please Touch one of the top kids’ museums in the country. Planning a visit? Take our advice: Prepare to stay for several hours. And don’t be surprised if the kiddos still aren’t ready to leave.

4231 Avenue of the Republic Philadelphia, PA 19131 215.581.3181 pleasetouchmuseum.org

photo courtesy of the Philadelphia zoo

June 2012

n Philadelphia’s Memorial Hall in Fairmount Park, Please Touch Museum® gives “hands-on” a whole new meaning.

photo Courtesy of the Please touch museum

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ituated on 42 acres of beautiful gardens, the Philadelphia Zoo is home to more than 1,300 residents, many rare and endangered.

By Martha-Page Althaus

Get to know the wide variety of creatures at the Philadelphia Zoo, featuring more than 300 different species of mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and birds. A new jaguar cub, African lions, tigers, cheetahs, giant river otters, giraffes, a white rhino, and polar bears are just a few animals that call the Zoo home. As Philadelphia’s leading cultural attraction, the Zoo boasts award-winning exhibits such as First Niagara Big Cats Falls, McNeil Avian Center, PECO Primate Reserve, and the Rare Animal Conservation Center — North America’s only home to douc langurs, an endangered monkey. Throughout 2012, the Zoo is celebrating the Year of the Orangutan and making a commitment of energy and resources for one goal: saving wild orangutans. Thought-provoking programs, exhibitions, and interpretations aim

to encourage visitors and area stuSumatran Orangutans: Tua (mother) and dents to thank companies that are Batu (infant); (below) committed to using sustainable Hippopotamus: Unna palm oil (which is harvested from orangutan’s natural habitats). As a part of the Year of the Orangutan, the Zoo recently opened the Trail of the Lorax (through October 31) in partnership with Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P. The 3-D, interactive exhibit engages visitors on orangutan conservation in a joyful Seussian way. Also as part of the Year of the Orangutan, the Zoo will unveil the innovative new Great Ape Trail next month. The Trail is a system of el3400 W. Girard Ave. evated passageways situPhiladelphia ated among the treetops The Philadelphia Zoo is accredited by the Association that will allow the orangof Zoos and Aquariums. utan family to explore For more information, outside of their usual visit philadelphiazoo.org homes above the Zoo’s or call 215.243.1100. main pathway. usairwaysmag.com

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30 gardens within 30 miles of Philadelphia: greaterphiladelphiagardens.org 1. Ambler Arboretum of Temple University Ambler, PA 2. The Arboretum at the Barnes Foundation Merion, PA 3. Awbury Arboretum, Philadelphia, PA 4. Bartram’s Garden, Philadelphia, PA 5. Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve New Hope, PA

America’s Garden Capital

6. Brandywine River Museum Chadds Ford, PA 7. Cabrini College Campus, Radnor, PA 8. Camden Children’s Garden, Camden, NJ 9. Chanticleer, Wayne, PA 10. Hagley Museum and Library’s E. I. du Pont Garden, Wilmington, DE 11. Haverford College Arboretum Haverford, PA 12. Henry Botanic Garden of the Henry Foundation for Botanical Research Gladwyne, PA 13. Henry Schmieder Arboretum Doylestown, PA

Explore Philadelphia’s horticultural wonders.

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id you know there are more public gardens in greater Philadelphia than anywhere else on the continent?

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International Airport, and some are accessible by public transportation. See the area’s oldest and newest public gardens, exotic and native flowers, and some of the tallest and finest specimens of trees. Find the garden you always wanted to visit, and discover a lesser-known gem nearby. Each garden’s unique character and history will enchant in ways you’ll never forget — unless you missed visiting them. With at least one garden open every day of the year, there’s plenty to see any time you come. Delight in blooming cherry trees, azaleas, tulips, and daffodils in the spring. In the summer see native wildflowers, and return in autumn to relish vivid colors rivaling the best in the world. Even in winter, prepare to be dazzled by holiday lights and displays, and by conservatories filled with cheerful flowers such as orchids and lilies. Whatever day you visit, you’ll fall in love with greater Philadelphia’s gardens.

16. Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens, Devon, PA 17. Lewis W. Barton Arboretum and Nature Preserve, Medford, NJ 18. Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA 19. Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 20. Mt. Cuba Center, Hockessin, DE 21. Nemours Mansion & Gardens Wilmington, DE 22. Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Philadelphia, PA 23. Philadelphia Zoo, Philadelphia, PA 24. Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College Swarthmore, PA 25. Shofuso Japanese House and Garden Philadelphia, PA 26. Tyler Arboretum, Media, PA 27. Tyler Formal Gardens of Bucks County Community College, Newtown, PA 28. Welkinweir, Pughtown, PA 29. Winterthur, Winterthur, DE photo by

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Discovering America’s Garden Capital is easy thanks to Greater Philadelphia Gardens, a nonprofit organization that promotes the region’s extraordinary horticulture. Greater Philadelphia Gardens provides a useful Web site and fun social networking tools as collaborative resources for visitors and residents. Both are brimming with information on the 30 public gardens within 30 miles of Philadelphia, and hundreds of world-class cultural events. The gardens of the greater Philadelphia region offer something for everyone. All are within an easy drive from Philadelphia

15. Hortulus Farm Garden, Wrightstown, PA

photos Courtesy of Greater Philadelphia Gardens

Clockwise from top left: Morris Arboretum, Longwood Gardens, Nemours Mansion and Gardens, Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve, Meadowbrook Farm, Chanticleer

14. The Highlands Mansion & Gardens Ft. Washington, PA

30. Wyck Historic House, Museum and Garden, Philadelphia, PA

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Estate of Beauty

Secret Garden

I Clockwise from top left: Teacup Garden, tulips at Pool House, Ruin Garden in autumn, baby robins in garden

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magine the sight of 200,000 daffodils, the scent of pink azaleas growing in the shade of a woodland garden, or the gentle sound of a fountain. At Chanticleer, you can experience these sensory delights firsthand. Twenty miles from Philadelphia City Hall, the garden is a joyful place for an escape. Its stunning topography is a study of textures and forms, where foliage trumps flowers, and the gardeners lead the design. In the early 20th century, Adolph and Christine Rosengarten built Chanticleer as their country estate — the family pharmaceutical firm became part of Merck in the 1920s. Their son, Adolph Jr., directed that the property become a public garden upon his death in 1990. Since then, its has evolved significantly, while retaining the estate’s impressive trees and lawns. Today, visitors can tour the circa-1913 home, but the ever-evolving gardens are the real star.

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Called “interesting and edgy” by the Washington Post and “imaginative and inspired” by HGTV, Chanticleer is managed by 13 creative gardeners and groundskeepers who design, plant, and maintain the 35 acres. During the closed winter season, they sculpt furniture, fences, gates, bridges, and drinking fountains to accent the garden. With many themed areas such as The Orchard, House Garden, and Asian Woods, Chanticleer offers a romantic spot for a date, or a beautiful walk with friends and family. For others, it’s the perfect place to paint en plein air, or to sit, read, and while away an afternoon.

Chanticleer is open April through October, Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and until 8 p.m. on Fridays, May through Labor Day. 786 Church Road, Wayne, PA 19087 610.687.4163 or chanticleergarden.org

photos by Rob Cardillo & L. Albee

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Chanticleer feels a world apart.

Nemours mansion and gardens welcomes visitors to its magnificence. nspired by the palace of Versailles, Nemours mansion and gardens sits stately on 222 acres.

The 77-room house is filled with more than 100,000 decorative pieces, including a clock commissioned by Marie Antoinette and a chandelier once owned by the Marquis de Lafayette. There also is a bowling alley, a shooting gallery, and even a power plant that supplied electricity to the building. The garden — the largest formal French garden in North America — boasts 117 fountains and a mesmerizing 12-foot gilded statue known as “Achievement.” But for Alfred I. du Pont and his wife Alicia, this was just home. That’s how Nemours executive director Grace Gary wants visitors to experience the estate, too. “This is where they lived. It’s not just

their house,” says Gary, who oversees ongoing restoration to the century-old property. “We want you to have the sense that you have seen it as they did.” Visitors are invited into the du Ponts’ life — Alfred was a businessman, politician, philanthropist, inventor, and pugilist, among other pursuits — through exhibits at the visitors’ center, before boarding a jitney for the short ride to the French neoclassical mansion. Following a tour of the home, visitors can explore the grounds, maintained by 12 full-time gardeners, before heading to the chauffeur’s garage, which houses the family’s 1933 Nemours Mansion Buick Sport Coupe and a and Garden 1950 Rolls-Royce. Route 141 and Alapocas Road, Wilmington, “There’s so much,” Delaware Gary says. “Every time Open Tuesday through Sunday, you come, you see someMay 1–December 30 thing you haven’t seen Reservations recommended: before. Each time, you 800.651.6912, nemoursmansion.org learn something new.” usairwaysmag.com

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Mind Music The arts have the power to transform young people’s lives.

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BY TARA TITCOMBE

KEYSTONE STATE BOYCHOIR AND PENNSYLVANIA GIRLCHOIR 215.849.1762 cychoirs.org

hat began as two parents’ mission to find a homelike setting for their daughter, is now a thriving community serving more than 1,000 individuals.

MUSICOPIA 215.829.9522 musicopia.net PHILADELPHIA SINFONIA 215.351.0363 philadelphiasinfonia.com PHILADELPHIA YOUTH ORCHESTRA 215.545.0502 pyos.org PLAY ON, PHILLY! 215.531.4876 playonphilly.org SETTLEMENT MUSIC SCHOOL 215.320.2680 smsmusic.org TEMPLE UNIVERSITY MUSIC PREPARATORY DIVISION 215.204.1512 temple.edu/boyer /musicprep THE ACADEMY OF VOCAL ARTS 215.735.1685 avaopera.org THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PHILADELPHIA 215.400.5974 philasd.org

PHOTO COURTESY OF MELMARK

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The programs at Melmark offer arts and cultural opportunities that help individuals realize their potential.

ARTSRISING/PHILADELPHIA EDUCATION FUND 215.665.1400 myartsrising.org

PHOTOS BY ARTSRISING/PHILADELPHIA EDUCATION FUND AND COMMONWEALTH YOUTHCHOIRS

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nowledge is power, and several Philadelphia musical institutions realize that. Throughout the city, a collective of music education organizations are working to cultivate a new generation of musicians who are artistically versatile and aspire to be the Philadelphia region’s finest. These organizations allow young artists to hone their skills, dive deeply into rich and diverse musical traditions, and experience the joys and discipline of public performance. Each organization creates opportunities for youth and emerging young artists to see, hear, and feel the final musical product by being engaged in the creative process. This collaborative group works to improve and expand access to high quality music and arts education for youth in the greater Philadelphia region so that the students are more engaged in learning and find multiple pathways to success in school and in their community. For more information about these music education providers, please visit myartsrising.org/musiced.

Art For All

ARTÍSTAS Y MÚSICOS LATINOAMERICANOS (AMLA) 215.324.0746 amla.org

With program locations in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, Melmark provides residential, educational, vocational, and therapeutic services for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. One such standout service, the Meadows Program, combines job opportunities with the creative arts. Members of the program work in an artists’ guild to sell their products. Creative workshops offered through the program include horticultural and flower workshops in which

participants plant, harvest, and dry flowers to create wreaths and basket arrangements. The Fiber and Art Workshop teaches adults to make knitted pillows, stuffed animals, mosaics, and bookmarks, or they can produce handmade clay pots, woodcrafts, and paper products as part of the Wood, Ceramic, and Stencil Workshop. In the Hospitality Services program, members bake sweet treats, help in meal preparation, and learn proper serving techniques. Melmark’s dedication to the arts doesn’t just lie with its adult programs. At The Melmark School, which supports students ages 5–21, the educational curriculum includes music and art. Several pieces of student artwork have been displayed at venues across the country. Melmark also offers members plenty of performing arts opportunities with its bell choir and acting troupe. Through these forms of expression, Melmark supports its goals in helping “each individual served to enjoy a meaningful life and attain the highest possible level of personal growth and achievement.”

Clockwise from left: Painting on display, members in the flower workshop, and the Melmark acting troupe

Visit melmark.org to learn more about Melmark and its programs.

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By Waynette Goodson

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Behind the Scenes

Stars of the Show 11th Hour Theatre Company 267.987.9865 11thhourtheatrecompany.org page 138

Opening the doors of private Philadelphia

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eady to experience all the arts that the City of Brotherly Love has to offer — from the inside? Look no further than Philadelphia Hospitality, Inc.

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Arthur Ross Gallery 215.898.2083 www.upenn.edu/ARG page 136

photos (from left) B. Krist for GPTMC, R. Kennedy for GPTMC

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American Swedish Historical Museum 215.389.1776 americanswedish.org page 161

photo by bklphoto.com for Pcvb

Since 1982, this nonprofit organization has welcomed cultural, corporate, educational, and professional groups to Philadelphia. But don’t expect average tours. Philadelphia Hospitality’s specialty is rolling out the red carpet in an exceptional manner. Innovative programs include behind-the-scenes tours of world-class cultural and historic treasures, as well as personal visits with distinguished Philadelphians. You’ll feel like a VIP as the doors open to the city’s most elegant private clubs, beautiful 800.714. 3287; homes, exquisite gardens, and philahospitality.org incomparable antique and art

collections. That’s not to mention exclusive opportunities at the best restaurants, boutique retailers, and sporting events. Got a group? Then allow Philadelphia Hospitality to custom design your program, from handling all hotel arrangements and ground transportation to planning evening activities. In addition, the organization offers unique tours to individuals throughout the year. From December 7–9, sophisticated travelers can stroll in the footsteps of the famed du Pont family as part of the “Homes for the Holidays” tour. Perhaps most exciting, beginning this fall, the tour “Celebrating Impressionism: The New Barnes Foundation and the Pennsylvania Impressionists” showcases the new location of the famed Barnes Foundation, home to one of the world’s finest private collections of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, and early-modern art, including works by Renoir, Cézanne, Picasso, and Matisse. Add in knowledgeable guides, and it all means a warm welcome, ensuring that visitors experience hospitality — Philly style.

The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University 215.299.1000 ansp.org page 126

Brandywine River Museum 610.388.2700 brandywinemuseum.org pages 118, 131

Flashpoint Theatre Company 215.665.9720 flashpointtheatre.org page 140

Brat Productions bratproductions.org page 139

The Franklin Institute 215.448.1200 fi.edu page 124

Chanticleer Foundation 610.687.4163 chanticleergarden.org page 166 Chester County Convention and Visitors Bureau 610.719.1730 brandywinevalley.com page 116

Arts Rising 215.665.1400 myartsrising.org page 168

City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program 215.685.0750 muralarts.org page 145

Association for Public Art 215.546.7550 fpaa.org page 146

City of Philadelphia Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy phila.gov/oacce page 104

Azuka Theatre 215.563.1100 azukatheatre.org page 139

Delaware Art Museum 302.571.9590 delart.org page 131

The Barnes Foundation 610.667.0290 barnesfoundation.org page 112

Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site 215.236.3300 easternstate.org page 128

Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve 215.862.2924 bhwp.org page 165

EgoPo Theatre Company 267.273.1414 egopo.org page 139

From left: Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, The Franklin Institute

Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance 215.557.7811 philaculture.org page 104 Greater Philadelphia Gardens greaterphiladelphiagardens.org page 164 Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation 800.537.7676 visitphilly.com page 100 Historic Philadelphia 215.629.4026 historicphiladelphia.org page 159 Independence Visitor Center Corporation 800.537.7676 independencevisitorcenter.com page 158 Inis Nua Theatre Company 215.454.9776 inisnuatheatre.org page 140 InLiquid 215.235.3405 inliquid.org page 156

Thank You! We would like to thank all the participating organizations that helped make this section possible.

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Opera Company of Philadelphia 215.732.8400 operaphila.org page 153 Parkway Council Foundation parkwaymuseums districtphiladelphia.org page 120 Penn Museum 215.898.4000 penn.museum page 135 Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts 215.972.7600 pafa.org page 129 Pennsylvania Ballet 215.893.1999 paballet.org page 155 Pennsylvania Horticultural Society 215.988.8800 phsonline.org page 130 Fourth of July fireworks Kimmel Center 215.790.5800 kimmelcenter.org page 152 Longwood Gardens 610.388.1000 longwoodgardens.org page 117 Mauckingbird Theatre Company 215.923.8909 mauckingbird.org page 140 Melmark Pennsylvania 888.MELMARK (888.635.6275) melmark.org page 169 Moore College of Art & Design 215.965.4000 moore.edu page 122 Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania 215.247.5777 business-services.upenn.edu /arboretum page 137

Nemours Mansion & Gardens 800.651.6912 nemoursmansion.org page 167

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usairwaysmag.com

The Print Center 215.735.6090 printcenter.org page 149 Tempesta di mare Philadelphia Baroque Orchestra 215.755.8776 tempestadimare.org page 154 Theatre Exile 215.218.4022 theatreexile.org page 141 University City District 215.243.0555 universitycity.org page 134 Valley Forge Convention and Visitors Bureau 610.834.1550 valleyforge.org page 132 Vox Ama Deus 610.688.2800 voxamadeus.org page 142

Philadelphia Film Society 267.239.2941 filmadelphia.org page 144

Walnut Street Theatre 215.574.3550 walnutstreettheatre.org page 119

Philadelphia History Museum 215.685.4830 philadelphiahistory.org page 159

WHYY 215.351.1200 whyy.org page 157

Philadelphia Hospitality Inc. 215.790.9901 philahospitality.org page 170

Winterthur 302.888.4600 winterthur.org page 131

Philadelphia International Airport 215.937.6800 phl.org page 150

Woodmere Art Museum 215.247.0476 woodmereartmuseum.org page 148

Philadelphia Museum of Art 215.684.7602 philamuseum.org page 114

Discover this land, like never before.

The Philadelphia Orchestra 215.893.1900 philorch.org page 106 Philadelphia Zoo 215.243.1100 philadelphiazoo.org page 163 Piffaro the Renaissance Band 215.235.8469 piffaroplaza.com page 154

Brand USA was created to spearhead the nation’s first global marketing effort to promote the United States to the world as a premier travel destination.

photo by G. Widman for GPTMC

National Constitution Center 215.409.6600 constitutioncenter.org page 160

Philadelphia Art Alliance 215.545.4302 philartalliance.org page 151

Please Touch Museum 215.581.3181 pleasetouchmuseum.org page 162