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When it comes to the Philly handmade scene, Art Star rules
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The shop space
Long before the economy necessitated a national tightening of purse strings, there were folks who wanted to know where their money was going. It wasn't as much about being thrifty, as it was about purchasing high-quality, individually-made items from other people, instead of faceless corporations. You'll still catch a supporter of the handmade movement in Target, now and then, but when it comes to finding something special, Art Star in Northern Liberties is the preferred destination for the crafty gal or guy.
Co-owners Megan Brewster & Erin Waxman are gearing up for the five year anniversary of Art Star's inception, this fall, which is made all the better by their recent move from Liberties Walk to a much larger space on 2nd Street, closer to Spring Garden. Brewster's experience managing the gallery at the Clay Studio in Old City matches well with Waxman's background as a clothing and jewelry designer. Natural light flows through the tall windows at the front of the store, and the walls are lined with handmade paper goods, toys, clothing, prints, jewelry, and other works of art. Waxman estimates that half of the inventory was created by local artists. "We carry as many [local artists] as we think fit with our space," she explains. A large archway at the rear of the store serves as a segue from the shop to a modern gallery space. Currently, the brightly framed stencil paintings and gocco-made collage pieces of Amy Rice decorate its walls.
Waxman is encouraged by the cooperative nature of the Philadelphia arts community. "This may be the case in other cities," she says. "But it seems many organizations and artists are always reaching out to one another here. There may be some competition amongst some artists, but for the most part I see artists helping and cheering one another on any success they may have." That includes the crafters whose wares are on the shelves at Art Star. The shop allows customers to both support Philly's artists and know that their money is going towards an independently owned business and the crafters it supports.
Portland-based artist Kurt Halsey has long been a best seller at Art Star, as evidenced by the recent collaboration with the shop to create an exclusive jewelry piece that reflects one of Halsey's common images, as well as his solo show at the gallery space, opening September 19th. And there is new blood in the shop, too. The shop sponsors the yearly Art Star Craft Bazaar; this year's fair yielded a crop of artists whose work appealed to Brewster and Waxman. "We now have beautiful ceramics by Robert Siegel, jewelry by antigenre, and prints by Jaime Zollars," says Waxman. Other notable items are the sleek screen printed dresses by Better Than Jam and the playful Owly shadow puppets.
For more info: Visit the Art Star website.
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