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Best Art Gallery in Philadelphia

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Bahdeebahdu
1522 N. American St Philadelphia, PA 19122
215-627-5002
What do you get when a self-proclaimed fabulist converges with a luminary? Bahdeebahdu. Here, interior design meets installations, light sculptures, and fantastical exhibitions. And here, the most curious – even unusual – elements blend into cohesive works of art. RJ Thornburg, one of Philadelphia’s most sought-after residential interior designers, displays an eclectic mix of art and art-furniture, both functional and purely ornamental. And partner Warren Muller showcases revolutionary lighting design that’s a by-product of found objects and ceramic sculpted pieces. We’re talking teapot chandeliers, cheese grater sconces and traffic cone pendants. Neat-o!
Bambi Gallery
1817 Frankford Ave Philadelphia, PA 19125
215-423-2668
Nestled away in Fishtown [which we think is perhaps the most unattractive-sounding town in the whole dern U.S. of A.] is a beautiful artistic gem known as Bambi. A gallery and artist consignment shop, Bambi showcases mixed media art alongside original jewelry, repurposed handbags – when we saw a purse made from a Rice Krispies box, we had to have it! – clothing, designed belt buckles and more. It’s wild! And the creative vision behind the place, Johnny Brenda’s bartendress Candy, is just as delightfully out there. So on First Friday, should you find yourself wandering the streets of Fishtown, look for the neon pink lights on Frankford Ave. It could be your saving grace.
Locks Gallery
600 S Washington Sq Philadelphia, PA 19106
215-629-1000
Let’s get serious for a minute. Locks Gallery on Washington Square represents an international group of critically-respected contemporary artists working in a wide variety of disciplines. (So the Web site says.) Translation: they’ve got good stuff going on in there. The gallery exhibition program presents new works of established and emerging artists. And since it opened back in the 60s, Locks has stayed true to its Philadelphia connection, touting local artistry and building a national audience for the likes of Edna Andrade, Thomas Chimes, Jane Irish, Eileen Neff, and Stuart Netsky.
Gallery 339
2039 Pine St Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-731-1530
A picture is worth a thousand words. Well, at Gallery 339, pics are worth a few thousand at least. Philadelphia’s only Fine Art Photography Gallery, Gallery 339 is an outstanding space showcasing local photographers alongside impressive photographic works from around the world. The current exhibition – Yale MFA Photography 2008 – closes out on September 6, so scoot on over and get schooled in some fine photographic works. Sneaky Suggestion: get on 339’s e-mail list for the 411 on who's exhibiting when, and for invites to opening receptions.
Philadelphia's Magic Garden
1020 South St Philadelphia , PA 19147
215-733-0390
Quick history lesson: The Magic Gardens of Philadelphia blossomed out of a unique set of circumstances. In the late 1960s, Philly’s South Street corridor was slated to be torn down to make way for an expressway, but artist Isaiah Zagar had a different vision. In a coined “mosaic marathon,” he used exotic textiles, woodcarvings and ceramics, mixed in with the detritus of the South Street corridor, to visually transform the neighborhood and affix new value. Today, the gardens are alive with glistening mosaic shard murals. How very enchanting!
Memphis Flats Gallery
1714 Memphis St Philadelphia, PA 19125
215-271-1100
We’re gonna break out of the box here and suggest you check out the Gallery at Memphis Flats. Housed in a new loft-condominium development, the Gallery features rotating works of contemporary art, presented within the context of a modern living space. Thus, gone are the worries of “Where would it go? In the hall or over the couch?” If you’ve got an eye for progressive design, you should feel right at home here. And while you’re at it, you might just sell yourself on a new loft.
Bridgette Mayer Gallery
709 Walnut Street1st Floor Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 413-8893
Philadelphia’s Washington Square is as pretty as a picture. And its resident art gallery, the Bridgette Mayer Gallery, further beautifies the landscape with a collection of unique contemporary paintings and works on paper by emerging and established artists. From abstract to figurative, we figure it’s one of the city’s finest cultural treasures.
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