Collaboration with Airy Arts

In December 2023 I participated in a collaboration with a new nonprofit Airy Arts Storefront Installations. The stated goal of this nonprofit is to benefit the neighborhood of Mount Airy in Philadelphia, PA by putting local artists work in empty storefronts on Germantown Ave to display public art that is accessible, captivating and supportive of the community.

My goal was to create a winter scene incorporating botanical species that are native and common in the local area of Philadelphia. Additionally, I wanted this project to be not just beautiful and pleasant for the neighborhood, but also teach residents about the plants they may see during their walks or commutes. I chose Winterberry (ilex verticillata), American Holley (Ilex opaca) and weeping Norway Spruce (Picea abies). These three specimens work together as a triptych using similar colors and patterns to tie them together.

I used colored transparent acetate to create a translucent effect on the window. I had to use removable materials as this is a temporary installation, so I chose acetate to create a graphic style that would read well on a large scale. Mark making is an important part of my work, so using oil pens to mimic ink helped me create the impression of details on the subjects, I think it is especially successful in the pine cones. I used overlapping acetate to create a sense of depth which is seen strongest in the berries and holly leaves. We decided to add translucent butcher style paper to the inside of the storefront to highlight the details for passers by.

This was a very ambitious project for me, and the first storefront I had ever worked on. I’m hoping for more opportunities to stretch my abilities and practice working in a large scale. I am thankful to the building managers of 6311 Germantown Ave for their support and trust in my process, and especially thankful to Betsy of Airy Arts for the opportunity.

Discovering the Versatility of Gouache