5 Design Philly 2015 Events That Are Catching My Eye!

Design Philly is back and better than ever and from October 8h – 16th will be bringing a TON of fun events to the City of Philadelphia centered around their quite timely “Shift” theme…

“This year’s theme is SHIFT. We are inspired by the rapid changes in Philadelphia’s skyline and urban landscape; and how these changes have the power to SHIFT perceptions about our great city. This year’s festival will explore the SHIFT in design process, education, and practice towards a multi-disciplinary, collaborative approach.” 

To prepare for the busy 9 days to come, I combed through their event offers to discover 5 (in particular) that really jumped out at me (basically, unless I get a serious case of Netflix, you will see me at all these events)…

5) Reimagining the Civic Commons: Reinventing and Connecting Five Public Places as a Network of Civic Assets, “A discussion of the design challenges and opportunities of reimagining Philadelphia’s civic commons. Together, William Penn Foundation, Knight Foundation, City of Philadelphia, and Fairmount Park Conservancy have made Philadelphia the first city to launch a pilot to transform ageing urban infrastructure and new civic assets into a ‘civic commons.’ The bet is that these assets – reimagined and redesigned – can do a better job of serving the needs of today’s city residents and reknit communities across economic divides.” (Thursday, October 8th: 5:30PM – 7:00PM, Free but requires Registration)

4) Create-adelphia: How To Launch Your Creative Career, “An artist with design skills? Techie with a knack for the creative? Arts history major? Use your talents to work in Philadelphia’s thriving creative sector. Students interested in pursuing a creative career will hear from a panel of local professionals who utilized their skills to position themselves for creative opportunities. Learn how they got started and stay after for networking with panelists and students.” (Tuesday, October 13th: 6:00PM – 7:30PM, Free but requires Registration)

3) Pearl Street Block Party, “A re-imagination of how an underutilized alley can be transformed into a creative space filled with life and art connecting diverse communities in our neighborhood and beyond! Join us for an array of live performance and music, food and interactive artwork and displays created by Asian Arts Initiative’s artists-in-residence and additional local artists and community groups.” (Saturday, October 10th: 2:00PM – 5:00PM, Free)

2) Monument Lab, “Co-Curator of ‘Monument Lab: Creative Speculations for Philadelphia,’ Paul Farber, will be in conversation with Metropolis Magazine Senior Editor Avi Rajagopal to discuss the official opening of their DesignPhiladelphia exhibition, featuring findings from their public art installation and creative research engagement at City Hall last spring. Over 35,000 engaged with the project at the essential civic crossroads of the city. Hear about what the curators discovered from the public proposals collected at the Lab, a cohort of creative speculator artists including Zoe Strauss and the late Terry Adkins, and how they envision 21st century urban monuments.” (Thursday, October 8th: 5:30PM – 8:00PM, Free)

1) Rail Park Tour, “Street level walking tours led by Friends of the Rail Park board members designed to deliver an understanding of possibilities of the entire proposed 3-mile linear park and recreation path located just north of Center City.” (Multiple days/times, $25)

Ok, ok, 6 events! I couldn’t create this list without telling y’all about the event I’m helping to organize for the project I’ve been working on all summer, Next Stop: Democracy…

Signs of Change: Opening Reception + Artist Panel

Can 60 of Philly’s most inspired artists help to increase voter turnout this coming Election Day, November 3rd, 2015? We vote YES.

Come check out Philly’s (quite possibly literally, we’re serious) BIGGEST art event of the fall, and join us for Next Stop: Democracy’s #SignsOfChangePHL.

Our show is a collection of “Vote Here” signs from 60 of Philadelphia’s most notable (and up-and-coming!) artists, including: NoseGo, Isaiah Zagar, Joe Boruchow, Kid Hazo, Old Broads, Dominic Episcopo, Gaia, Anthony (Seper) Torcasio, Harlequinade, Darla Jackson, Kelly Kozma, Hawk Krall, Brendan (Peopledelphia) Lowry, Amber Lynn, Ryan Beck, Jessie Mademann, Sean Martorana, Dennis Murphy, Mike L. Perry, Sophie Roach, Miriam Singer, Jason Andrew Turner, Aubree Eisenwinter, and MORE!

Together, these artists’ “Vote Here” signs will create a 1-day, pop-up art installation across Philadelphia on Election Day, November 3rd. The signs will be placed outside of polling locations around the city in an effort to celebrate civic engagement and shout out – with art – where to vote! (A map of where all the signs will be located on Election Day can be found HERE.)

This is your ONLY chance to see all 60 signs in one place at one time!

And in addition to the incredible artists listed above, I’ll also be moderating an hour-long panel discussion with fellow “Vote Here” sign creators: NDA, Ishknits, Ryan Psota, Austin Seraphin, and Sonia Petruse!

Doors are at 6pm. Artists panel discussion at 6:30pm. Beverages generously sponsored by Art In The Age and Narragansett Beer. And music by DJ Foxx Boogie!

The evening is pay what you wish, and we wish you can donate even just a little. Donations can either be made at the door, or in advance HERE.