First Friday Fun

One of Old City's most consistent galleries is Pentimenti and this Friday, they will have the opening receptions for two artists sharing the space: Matthew Kucynski and David Ambrose. We're especially looking forward to seeing the weirdly erotic, imaginary, warring landscapes of Kucynski. The opening reception is from 6 - 8:30 PM. The Pentimenti Gallery is located at 145 North 2nd Street, just north of Elfreth's Alley.

There are also some really superb paintings being exhibited at Artists' House: David Graeme Baker is clearly a gifted artist and we're looking forward to closer examination of his work, as well as the elegant miniature watercolors of Gregory Halili. We're not, however, big fans of "price on request" artwork. Art is not fish and an exhibition in a professional gallery is not a menu. Artwork should either be priced or marked NFS (Not for Sale). Artists' House is located at 57 North 2nd Street at Cuthbert St.

Near Washington Square, the Bridgette Mayer Gallery will have a solo show by gallery artist Ivan Stojakovic. Titled Build-Up, the show will showcase "large, bright cityscapes that evolve into commentaries on global issues and concerns." This is Stojakovic's second solo show at the Bridgette Mayer Gallery. He currently lives and works in New York City, and is originally from Belgrade. The opening reception is from 6:00 - 8:30 PM. The Bridgette Meyer Gallery is located at 709 Walnut Street, between South 7th and 8th Streets.

Over in Northern Liberties, the Projects Gallery also has an opening which seems to be quite interesting. Projects will be showing the work of Venezuelan artist Henry Bermudez in its main space and Paul Santoleri in its lower level. Bermudez's surreal imagery combines pre-Colombian and Christian iconography to deliver crowded, visceral works that landed him the honor of being a past Venezuelan representative to the Venice Biennale. Santoleri (who also has a concurrent exhibition at the Thomas Eakins House), is a well-known muralist and for this show, he will display both large and small-scale works, as well as site-specific wall paintings. The opening reception is from 5 - 8 PM. Projects Gallery is located at 629 North Second Street, between Green Street and Fairmount Avenue.

If you want to skip Old City tonight but still want to feed your art monkey, then head over to the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, where from 5 – 7 PM they're having extended hours for First Friday with free admission, free munchies and music and a cash bar. On exhibit at their Morris Gallery is Spot Check: Academy Contemporary, an exhibition showcasing over a dozen objects that have entered the Academy’s collection recently. The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts is located at Broad and Cherry Streets.

Image of Matthew Kucynski's "The Fields, Static and Strangers" courtesy of Pentimenti Gallery.

Image of Christos Koutavoulis, "In the Name of Cha Ching, the young about to be devoured," courtesy of F.U.E.L.