PHILADELPHIA – The City’s creative community continues to embrace First Person Arts interactive programming, including the new monthly First Person Salons series, drawing dedicated and enthusiastic audiences. Held at the Gershman Y (401 S. Broad Street) from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. on second Wednesdays, the multi-disciplinary Salons showcase cutting edge original works by local artists. Credited with breathing new life into the salon phenomenon, Philadelphia Metro reports, “The concept of the salon…carries with it a whiff of the old-fashioned, of bewigged 18th-century Frenchmen gathered around a harpsichord arguing philosophy. But the idea has come back into vogue of late, with [First Person Salons], a series…intending to foster a sense of community between artists.” The April 9th Salon will feature an exciting and diverse lineup of artists utilizing photography, sculpture, dance, interdisciplinary arts, theatre, and film to push the boundaries of memoir and documentary arts through a variety of mediums.
Local photographer Jacques-Jean (JJ) Tiziou and sculptor James Peniston will join audiences in a discussion about their new joint venture How Philly Moves, a proposed public art installation celebrating Philadelphia dance. Tiziou, who has made his mark photographing performance artists in Philadelphia and beyond, is thrilled to collaborate with Peniston, whose latest sculpture – a nine-foot bust of Benjamin Franklin commissioned by the City – is now on permanent display in Girard Fountain Park (4th and Arch Streets) in Philadelphia's historic Old City neighborhood.
Filmmaker David Andrew Watson will present Down the Hatch: The Life of Red Stuart, his new documentary about the life of the world’s oldest living sideshow artist and sword swallower who came to prominence in the heyday of the American circus. Artist Nicole Bindler will perform Norman: A Moving Monologue, an improvisational work incorporating dance and storytelling to celebrate the life and memories of her father, Norman.
Rounding out the diverse group is storyteller and theater artist Miss Koco, who will present Pieces of Koco, a follow-up to her presentation at February’s Salon in which she gave audience members personal objects she collected throughout the years. Now, she will explore the newfound lives of these objects she parted with along with stories collected through her Upcycled Memories letter project.
First Person Arts is a nonprofit organization and producer of the annual First Person Festival, First Person StorySlams series and other programs that tap into the power of personal stories and speak to diverse audiences, including people whose voices are not often heard. First Person Arts is guided by the belief that the sharing of personal experience is a powerful way for people to celebrate uniqueness, bridge differences, and find common ground. For more information, please visit www.firstpersonarts.org.
Upcoming First Person Salon Events
Wednesday, April 9; artists: Jacques-Jean (JJ) Tiziou, James Peniston, David Andrew Watson, Nicole Bindler and Nicole Dupree.
Wednesday, May 14; artists: TBA
Wednesday, June 10; artists: TBA
All First Person Salons are held at the Gershman Y, 401 S. Broad Street
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. every second Wednesday of the month
$5-10 sliding scale
For more information, contact First Person Arts at (267) 402-2056 or www.firstpersonarts.org. Artists working in all media and from all levels of experience, whose work is based in real-life experience, are encouraged to apply to present their work at future Salon events. To apply, visit www.salons.firstpersonarts.org or email salons@firstpersonarts.org.
Press Contact:
Canary Promotion + Design
Emaleigh Doley, emaleighATcanarypromo.com
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