Special Edition
Written by our
Co-Founder and Executive Director
Albert LeCoff
One of most stimulating parts of my work is watching for the exciting, inventive new work that artists create. Finding the work is the challenging part. As the Center reaches its 30
th
anniversary as a nonprofit in 2016, I reach my 40
th
working in this field that I love. Celebrations of old and new works must be conducted.
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Don't Miss out on our current exhibition!
Other Selections: Local Artists Respond to the Museum Collection
Recently, creative complex humorous installations came in through the Center's big shipping doors. Eighteen young Philadelphia artists created work inspired through examination of 1000 objects in the Center's museum collection and artist files and publications in our research library. Initiated by artists Gerard Brown and David Stephens of the Center's Collections Committee, Brown knew about two artist cooperatives operating in north Philadelphia. The results are ripe with video installations, multimedia sculptures, paintings, two way mirrors, digitizing, wood working and more.
The best part for me is becoming aware of this surging local young generation who are opting to make strange, wonderful work that reflects our world in fast forward. This reminds me deeply of my own generation of craftsperson who opted for nonconventional, satisfying livelihoods, making things. As I conducted study sessions in the collections with these young artists, their reactions to the collection stimulated the new ways I will look at our resources. This installation exposes us to modern design, fabrication and construction, and the artists' skills, outlooks and experiences have enriched my 40 year- old world view.
Perhaps best of all - some of the artists stated that the work they created for Selections represents whole new directions that they will continue to pursue. What better use for a study collection could there be? Thanks to all the artists whose work inspired this new generation.
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| 20th Anniversary Windgate ITE International Residency Program
June and July are among my favorite months because the Center's Windgate ITE is in full bloom in the wood shop at University of the Arts. The Resident Fellows utilize their dorms and work space for the duration of the residency. The Windgate ITE blog is well underway and you can find it HERE.
Orientation proved that Windgate ITE fans have a lot to look forward to, by which I mean unusual results that may not make much use of wood. A mix of skills and generations have created an interesting mix. Join us for Open Studio Day on July 11
th
to witness the breakthroughs in their personal work. Registration is required so make sure to sign up!
CLICK HERE
for more information and to register.
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| Collections and Hospitality  Collectors in the Maryland and Washington, DC area have been key partners in showcasing fine work by diverse craft artists. The Center is grateful to these collectors who over and over, have been persuaded to open up for visitors. For the last several years, artist Phil Brown has graciously coordinated tours for the Windgate ITE Resident Fellows, and served as a host with wife Barbara. Especially for the Fellows from different countries, visits to private and public collections expose them quickly to a variety of works.  Best of all, these mid-Atlantic collections feature many media beyond wood, including ceramics, metal, glass and outdoor sculpture. Each collection has personality and hundreds of examples of display, lighting and installation. The Center's Cambium Circle members also recently completed the mid-Atlantic tour. The Circle is comprised of the most generous supporters of the Center, and membership is open to all, with special experiences offered. This year's collectors and hosts are too numerous to list here, but please know how much the Center appreciates your sharing your enthusiasm for art and craft with our visitors. Many of you are also Cambium Circle members, for which we also give thanks. The art work you keep adding makes each visit fresh.
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| SAVE THE DATE November 14, 2015 2015 Founders' Fundraiser will honor Philadelphia ACC Fellows 
Plans are underway for our annual Founders' Fundraiser on Saturday, November 14. This coincides with the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft show weekend, and also the launch of Craft
NOW
| Philadelphia 2015 to highlight Philadelphia as a center of craft.
The Center will present a special exhibition of
never before seen work
featuring Philadelphia regional artists who have been named Fellows by the American Craft Council (ACC).
The Fellows are wood turner David Ellsworth; furniture makers George Nakashima and Michael Hurwitz; and jewelers Sharon Church and Bruce Metcalf. Each career spans more than 25 years during which they used wood in prominent ways. To prepare documentation for the ACC exhibition, I collaborated with my wife Tina LeCoff. We traveled to each artist's studio, interviewed them about their careers and photographed vintage and recent work. I focused on curating the work for the exhibition, while Tina focused on essays about each artist.
Three other organizations will also feature exhibitions of ACC Fellows. Included are The Clay Studio, the Philadelphia Art Alliance and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Each organization is documenting their Fellows and the results will be presented online and will captures decades of craft art. Philadelphia is truly a hotbed of craft with so many media-focused organizations along with a wealth of private galleries who often feature the art of craft. |
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Let us know how we're doing.
Take our survey!
We're currently looking to revamp our entire membership program and we want to hear from you, our valued supporters and members! Your input is greatly appreciated and will help us to craft an engaging program.
CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE SURVEY |
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First Fridays July 3, August 7, September 4 | 5-8 PM | AT THE CENTER Open Studio Day Saturday, July 11 | 10 AM-3 PM |
333 S. Broad Street, 4th Floor
In the Wood shop of UArts
CLICK HERE to register For more information, please contact Maggie Bradley, Director of Advancement at 215-923-8000 or [email protected] |
| Call to Artists! Chair Prospectus Through July 03, 2015 |
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The Center for Art in Wood
in the News....
(Click the photos)
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| Bartram's Boxes Remix is now on tour |
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| Knight's Arts highlights Other Selections |
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| Featured Museum Store Items
Visit our museum store at 141 N. 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Buy Online:
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| Visit the Center The Center is open
Tuesday - Saturday
10am to 5pm and by appointment
215-923-8000
141 N. 3rd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106 Get your daily Center fix On the web 
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The Center for Art in Wood is an arts and educational institution whose mission is leading the growth, awareness, appreciation and promotion of artists and the creation and design of art in wood and wood in combination with other materials. |
THANK YOU
The Board and staff wishes to express it's gratitude to our members, supporters and funders. It is through your generosity and involvement that the Center remains a vital resource for
Art in Wood.
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