Events List
-
Stone Soup: Works by Eustace Mamba
Description for Stone Soup: Works by Eustace Mamba
On view March 28, 2025 – June 1, 2025
Eustace Mamba‘s artistic practice delves into the complexities of identity, culture, and history, with a particular focus on the Black experience in America. His multidisciplinary approach spans painting, collage, street photography, and mixed-media installations, with an emphasis on sewing as a storytelling tool. This technique allows Mamba to transform materials into vibrant, layered compositions that reflect both personal and collective struggles, as well as moments of harmony.
Mamba’s education at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts has been instrumental in shaping his artistic vision. He earned both a Master’s and Bachelor’s in Fine Arts from the institution, grounding his work in a profound exploration of recognition, representation, and belonging for Black people in America—issues that remain deeply relevant in both historical and contemporary contexts.
His work often merges visual elements that contrast historical figures and events from Black history with imagery of contemporary Black life, particularly as it unfolds in East Coast cities like Philadelphia and New York. This blending of past and present creates a narrative space where viewers are invited to reflect on the complexities of race and identity across time.
Mamba’s art has garnered recognition in prestigious collections, including the Woodmere Art Museum, the Petrucci Family Foundation Collection of African American Art, and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Through his innovative use of materials and concepts, Mamba continues to spark critical conversations about the cultural richness and resilience of Black communities, while expanding the role of contemporary art in driving social change.
Event Badges
-
Of Earthen Kin: Works by Katie Kaplan
Description for Of Earthen Kin: Works by Katie Kaplan
On view June 6 – August 10, 2025
Pay-As-You-Wish Opening Reception: Friday, June 6, 2025; 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Tour & Talk: Tuesday, June 10, 2025; 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.Katie Kaplan is a Philadelphia-based multidisciplinary artist whose work spans printmaking, sculpture, textiles, video, and installation. Holding a BFA in Sculpture from Pratt Institute, Kaplan’s practice is deeply informed by both material exploration and social engagement. Currently serving as the studio technician in the Fibers and Material Studies Department at Tyler School of Art, Kaplan also maintains a natural dye garden—an ongoing project that merges art-making with ecological stewardship. Kaplan’s art has been showcased in various solo and group exhibitions across the United States, and she has participated in artist residencies in both New York and Pennsylvania.
Kaplan’s work is rooted in cultural organizing, activist art, and mutual aid. These values manifest through her commitment to collaborative and community-centered art-making. Her current body of work focuses on the environment, particularly through the lens of vibrating landscapes and
close-up examinations of fungi and foliage. Her print and poster series, which are deeply connected to environmental, queer and gender activism, serve as both a personal and political expression, addressing identity, visibility, and social justice. Through her work, Kaplan seeks to forge connections between the personal, the political, and the ecological, creating art that speaks to both the natural world and the ongoing struggles for equality and inclusion.Event Badges
-
Works by Anthony Smith Jr.
Description for Works by Anthony Smith Jr.
On view: August 15 – November 2, 2025
Pay-As-You-Wish Opening Reception: Friday, August 15, 2025; 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Tour & Talk: Tuesday, August 19, 2025; 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.Anthony Smith is a multifaceted artist based in Allentown, PA, whose work delves deeply into themes of Black history and racial identity, blending material experimentation and abstract forms with humor. Through his mixed-media pieces, he challenges stereotypes, using comedy as a tool to confront and deconstruct complex cultural narratives. In this exhibition, Smith fosters a dialogue around race, history, and identity while pushing the boundaries of material and form in contemporary art.
Event Badges
-
Under $100, Under $1000: Isaiah Zagar-inspired works by Philly Artists
Description for Under $100, Under $1000: Isaiah Zagar-inspired works by Philly Artists
November 7, 2025 – January 11, 2026
“Under $100, Under $1000: Isaiah Zagar-inspired works by Philly Artists” is a dynamic group exhibition that highlights the creativity and diversity of Philadelphia’s vibrant art scene. Featuring contemporary works by emerging, mid-career, and established artists, the show focuses on artworks priced under $100 or $1000, making it accessible to a wide audience while offering collectors the chance to acquire affordable art.
The exhibition draws inspiration from Isaiah Zagar’s iconic art environment, Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, inviting artists to explore themes such as portraiture, experimental use of materials, and dynamic color combinations. Like Zagar’s mosaics, the works in this exhibition use a variety of mediums and techniques, reflecting the eclectic, ever-evolving spirit of the city itself.
Event Badges
