ARTS . Art

POST Op

Your mission: To invade a Philly artist's private space.


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Published: Oct 4, 2006

Museums and galleries are nice, and easy, but don't you wanna see where the art is made? It's tricky; infiltrating a private studio could result in a pretty nasty turpentine stain — if not a shard of broken pottery leveled at your person. Ah, but here's your in: Philadelphia Open Studio Tours, which aims to break down the walls between the art community and the public. POST was founded in 1999 as a one-day event, and has since blossomed into a two-weekend art affair covering all areas of the city. Here are five can't-miss targets.

Anne Canfield

(Oct. 7-8), figurative small-scale oil on panel, large-scale on canvas

Canfield is a portrait artist who uses striking color schemes and geometric forms to shape her oil paintings. Whether on a large or small scale, her metaphoric compositions often include not only the subject, but also objects or scenes that are either surreal or completely fabricated. She often works in double portraits, highlighting two separate facets of the same subject.

826 S. 48th St., No. 2, 215-219-4023

Kate Kaman

(Oct. 7-8), sculpture/public art

Light and organic, and mostly hanging in the manner of a large mobile, Kaman's sculptures don't sit, they float. She has some bulkier pieces, but the majority of her work is colorful and lithe, almost airy. The sculptures, which take about three to four months to create, are designed to be "art that is in collaboration with an environment," says Kaman.

Sherman Mills at East Falls, 3510 Scotts Lane, Bldg 31, No. 3014, 216-559-2735, www.katekaman.com

Pierantozzi/Patterson Pottery

(Oct. 7-8), pottery in porcelain/stoneware

The husband and wife duo of Sandi Pierantozzi and Neil Patterson have 45 years of experience between them, and it shows. They make "functional pottery," says Pierantozzi, based on the unique styles they have developed. Pierantozzi does a lot of hand-built pieces, while Patterson uses the potter's wheel most of the time. Their work is all original, taking anywhere from a few hours to a week to create.

2034 Fairmount Ave., 215-236-1617, www.sandiandneil.com

James B. Abbott

(Oct. 14-15), photographs of Cape Cod/Ben Franklin Bridge

Abbott has focused 20 years and three separate bodies of work on the Ben Franklin Bridge, which looms just outside of his gallery space. "The sound of the train on the bridge is part of the sound effects in my studio," says Abbott. His black-and-white works have a poignant, timeless feel to them — photos only a deep devotion and great patience can achieve.

c/o Exhibit 231, 231 N. Third St., first floor front, www.jbabbott.com

Tim McFarlane

(Oct. 14-15), paintings and works on paper, linear abstractions and more

McFarlane practices an art form he calls logical progression, wherein he layers his paints or charcoals in successive passes, creating depth in an image of lines and patterns based on previous layers. McFarlane's works invite staring, as new details quickly jump out and fade away from the grid-like patterns. These multiple dimensions, McFarlane says, reflect the dimensions and experience of urban life.

(l_perseghin@citypaper.net)

16-A N. Third St., fourth floor, 215-829-0803, www.mayerartconsultants.com

Studios are open Sat.-Sun., noon-6 p.m. Studios west of Broad are open Oct. 7-8; studios east of Broad are open Oct. 14-15. 215-546-7775, www.philaopenstudios.com.