The First Friday Preview 

For nearly 30 years, art lovers in Philadelphia have reserved the First Friday of every month for gallery hopping. To help continue this tradition, CraftNOW will bring together a group of curators and artists for an intimate preview on Thursday nights. 

On the Agenda –

Camden FireWorks – Meet new Executive Director Asiyah Kurtz, an applied anthropologist and graduate researcher in the field of cultural sustainability. A self-taught maker and quilter, Asiyah is accustomed to taking seemingly disparate items and weaving them together to create solutions that address macro-issues. Asiyah will be sharing news from Camden FireWorks and how to get hands-on with their resources and community.

Disability Pride PA – Disability Pride PA is a nonprofit organization of disabled people and allies imagining a world where every disabled person feels pride through self-awareness, their identity, and the community at large. Vicki Landers, President and CEO, with Connie Vandarakis, Program Director and consultant for International Inclusive Arts, talk about their advocacy, programming, and how to access the Arts and Disabled Artist Supplies fund.

Fabric Workshop and Museum with The Clay Studio – Enjoy a glimpse into the upcoming exhibition of ceramic works Hard/Cover scheduled to open at FWM on Friday, April 9. It includes pieces from FWM’s permanent collection by Louise Bourgeois, Viola Frey, Toshiko Takaezu, and Betty Woodman, as well as new works by five contemporary artists: Woody De Othello, Jane Irish, Mark Barrow & Sarah Parke, and Shino Takeda.

HOT BED Gallery – On view through May 8, Biospheres is a collaborative exhibition by visual artists Marguerita Hagan and Ana Vizcarra Rankin curated by James Oliver Gallery. Gallery owner Bryan Hoffman will host a conversation with the artists live in the gallery about how their mixed media works and ceramic sculptures visualize what has enabled life to thrive for eons.