See What Local Artists Are Up To During Philadelphia Open Studio Tours

The annual visual arts festival takes place over two weekends.

Above the Sound of Ideologies Clashing by Nick Cassway

Above the Sound of Ideologies Clashing by Nick Cassway

The Center for Emerging Visual Artists is hosting its annual behind-the-scenes look at what local artists are up to in neighborhoods across the city. Philadelphia Open Studio Tours includes about 200 artists throwing open their doors so us curious cats can check out what they’re working on.

On October 8th and 9th, venues west of Broad Street will be featured; on October 22nd and 23rd the action moves east. The CFEVA calls it a visual arts festival but Philadelphia Open Studio Tours goes well beyond the usual row of booths we think of as an arts fest, incorporating self-guided studio tours, a group trolley tour, participatory workshops, demonstrations, and artist talks. There’s even an app to help you figure out where to go and what you’re looking at when you get there.

Pattern Process by Ben Volta

Pattern Process by Ben Volta

The CFEVA is also highlighting a few featured exhibitions, including Nick Cassway’s Above the Sounds of Ideologies Clashing, an 80-foot-long wall covering at the CFEVA gallery (237 S. 18th Street) blending commercial design, iconography and illustration.

Over at the Sonesta hotel (1800 Market Street), pieces from five Philly artists will be on display, and in the Art Gallery at City Hall artworks are organized by neighborhood for the POST–Philadelphia Artists in the Community exhibit.

For more details on the featured exhibits and other Philadelphia Open Studio Tours happenings, check out the website.

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