The Center for Art in Wood

Went to breakfast a couple stops down the street and was intrigued by the galleries exterior. This is an incredibly unique gallery filled with wonderful pieces of art. It’s not everyday you can find somewhere devoted to the art of wood. and even if you are not interested in the pieces in their exhibition their gift shop is filled with everything! I wanted to buy two of everything. from wood teething rings for babies to beautiful wooden handle ice cream scoops this place has it all and at decent prices. It is defiantly not hard to find a keepsake for everyone on your list. I highly recommend this gallery, if you don’t have time, find thirty minutes in your day to visit!

The Bartram Boxes exhibit is extraordinary. It’s up through July 19 – don’t miss it! Created from Bartram Gardens trees downed by a storm, and inspired by Founding era horticulturalist John Bartram sending New World plants to Europe in creatively designed wooden boxes. The works combine history, poetry, imagination, playfulness, the great themes of life and amazing beauty. Bravo!

One of those other unique art galleries that I’ve been happy to stumble upon on a numerous amount of First Friday’s that have always left me intrigued. And it even has the doorway that I fully intend to own when I am filthy rich!
I could give Five stars for the cool mural on the side of building, and the AMAZING display of eclectic wood pieces that the main gallery space that is amazing to walk through. But I curve to 4 because the portion of the gallery that you enter through is more of a storefront that features a clutter of knick knacks and crafts amid some interesting full scale pieces to the point that it could benefit from just a little more structure. But the main gallery space on the side of the building is a treasure trove of sculptures, benches, canes, and other random pieces made entirely in wood that I wouldn’t have deemed possible before seeing them with my own eyes. And it updates its displays fairly frequently.

What an unusual gallery space… I love it!
First of all, I’ve been wanting to check this place out for a while. It stands out from the rest of the galleries in the area. It’s design, their signage, and they way they display things is very clean and professional, reminding me more of the galleries in Chicago and NYC rather than some of it’s kitschy-​er neighbors down the street. It was great to finally pay a visit while everything was in full swing for First Friday.
[I’m not embarrassed to say that I absolutely tried to enter through the large, non-​functioning wooden doors on the outside. They are gigantic, and the very notion that they could open made me very happy and feeling like Alice In Wonderland.]
The gallery interior is large as well. A show featuring downed trees from Hurricane Sandy in NYC was opening; walking into a large room with tons of abstracted, organic objects was pretty surreal. It seemed as though it would be right on cue that a very enthusiastic gallery attendant greeted us and began telling all about the artist and his show. This lady was the fun fact queen! My friend and I made our way around the show and ended up in another room where the gallery attendant started chatting with us again. She was really knowledgable and excited to engage in conversations about the work, artists, and the gallery owner himself. I enjoyed talking to her and hearing her stories.
I will definitely be hitting up The Center for Art in Wood whenever I’m in Old City to see who’s showing! The upstairs museum is also a must-​see anytime, and forever. A true Philly gem!

Bamn! There it is! It’s official. The Wood Turning Center has opened in its beautiful new home and is now known as The Center For Art In Wood.
My jaw never ceases to drop when I gaze upon some of the astounding woodwork I’ve seen displayed within these (sadly not wooden) walls.
They’re celebrating their 25^th anniversary.
Happy Silver Anniversary! Keep on turnin’!
Got wood? Go wood! Good. You should.