Every second Saturday of the month, beginning in May and continuing through this November, 30 to 35 visiting local artists have been displaying their art on tables and easels on Germantown Avenue, in empty storefronts and in pop-up galleries.
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“It is all a community effort. It’s no more than that,” said Brian Aristy, Marketing and Events Manager at the Chestnut Hill Business Association. He was talking about Second Saturdays, Chestnut Hill’s monthly celebration of the arts. Every second Saturday of the month, beginning in May and continuing through this November, 30 to 35 visiting local artists have been displaying their art on tables and easels on Germantown Avenue, in empty storefronts and in pop-up galleries. Live music, shop and restaurant specials, and family-friendly activities accompany the festivities. The permanent art galleries display special shows.
“We wanted to create an event to give people another reason to come to Chestnut Hill as we were recovering from the pandemic,” said Philip Dawson, Executive Director of Chestnut Hill Business Association. “We were looking to showcase art in Chestnut Hill to attract people and also to support our existent art scene--our brick-and-mortar art galleries.”
As part of the Second Saturday effort, Bowman Properties is also displaying art in its empty storefronts along Germantown Ave.
Local artist Pauline Houston McCall curated the May and June Second Saturdays. “She brought all of her talent and, and she filled every single storefront that we had, and she really made a statement of what second Saturdays could be,” said Aristy.
In fact, around June, Aristy and Dawson began to think about adding pop-up galleries to Second Saturdays. They were able to set them up thanks to the generosity of a private donation to the Chestnut Hill Business Association, according to David Hoylman, Leasing Director for Bowman Properties. “The use of those funds allowed us to host a number of pop-up galleries and exhibits.”
At the Second Saturday in June, Aristy began to approach artists about curating pop-ups. He spoke to Amy Masterman, a participating found-glass artist who had committed to being in all the Second Saturdays. Masterman had also spent eight years as a professional curator in her role as executive director of Allens Lane Art Center in Mount Airy. Aristy told Masterman about an empty space at 8236 Germantown Avenue (at the corner of W Southampton Ave).
Masterman named the space Moondance Farm Studios, after one of her favorite songs, Van Morrison’s “Moondance.” The gallery opened in July with five artists and has since expanded to 15. The artists work in a variety of media, including painting, fabric, neon, photography, ceramics, glass, dried gourds, collage, encaustic painting, jewelry and wood.
While Moondance opened in July, visiting artist Erika Roberts showed her paintings outside on the Avenue as part of Second Saturday on July 10th. Roberts, a graduate of Moore College of Art, has received several accolades for her art, including “Best Illustrator” Award at the 2018 Chestnut Hill Fall for the Arts Festival. She is also a 2020 recipient of the Felllowship for Black Artists, funded by Mural Arts Philadelphia. Aristy asked Richards to curate a second pop-up gallery at 8133 Germantown Ave, where Cure de Repos Spa had been. (The Spa moved to 8439 Germantown Ave.) On the Second Saturday of September 11th, Richards debuted her “Different Gifts'' exhibit. She put together figurative paintings by eight artists and jewelry by two artists.
Masterman said that Second Saturdays have given “emerging artists the chance to show their work on the street in Chestnut Hill, and crowds are coming to see them.” She especially enjoys having the artists at the gallery so that people can meet them and give them feedback. "It's a great moment when I see a person who loves a particular piece get to meet the artist, ask questions and learn more," she added.
Both galleries have had tremendous foot traffic. “The artists have been thrilled with their sales,” said Masterman. Richards sold five paintings in the first ten days and has sold many pieces of jewelry.
A third pop-up has also been successful. Artist Brook Conroy opened a temporary art exhibit at 8532 Germantown Ave, at the corner of Germantown and West Evergreen Avenues, called “Ferrule Designs.” Her pop-up contains an interactive communal space with her art as well as an area where she has held art classes and events.
All three pop-ups are closing at the end of the month, when Bowman will be renting the spaces to retailers for holiday shopping.
Many of the artists in Second Saturday have never had an opportunity to showcase their work in a public setting. The exposure they're getting via Second Saturdays helps to expand their following and support their continuing creative endeavors.
They take place in the 7600 to 8600 blocks of Germantown Ave. There will also be live music, shop and restaurant specials and family-friendly activities. Three pop-up galleries will close at the end of the month are at 8133, 8236 and 8532 Germantown Ave. More information, including a list of exhibiting artists and shows at the permanent art galleries, at https://chestnuthillpa.com/events/second-saturdays/.
