“Mine Moonlight: Artists Working in Philadelphia’s River Wards”

MILLVILLE, NJ  – On April 1, 2016, Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center opened “Mine Moonlight: Artists Working in Philadelphia’s River Wards” in the Museum of American Glass. On view until December 31, 2016, the exhibition of contemporary artworks will speak to the history beneath the feet of artists working in the River Wards neighborhoods of northern Philadelphia.  The ten installations in “Mine Moonlight” draw connections to the origins of the artisan community that is seeing resurgence in Northern Liberties, Kensington-Fishtown, and Port Richmond.

The exhibition is curated by Paul Swenbeck.  Participating artists are:  Kate Abercrombie, Astrid Bowlby, Marley Dawson, Micah Danges, Bridget & Seth Farnack, Richard Harrod, Darla Jackson, Jake Kehs, Andrea Marquis, and Paul Swenbeck & Joy Feasley.  The installations explore themes of hand craft, functionality, and fragmentation.

“Mine Moonlight” complements another special exhibition that will run concurrently in the Museum of American Glass, “From the Ground Up: Archaeology, Artisans, Everyday Life.”  “From the Ground Up” is the first major exhibition of artifacts excavated in conjunction with the Interstate 95 Improvement Project which began in 2009 in Philadelphia. The ongoing dig, undertaken by PennDot and the Federal Highway Administration and executed by AECOM Cultural Resources, has recovered nearly one million artifacts from the Northern Liberties, Kensington-Fishtown, and Port Richmond neighborhoods.

In both self-guided and docent-led tours of the Museum of American Glass and artist studios, visitors will be able to learn about the intersection of art, history, creative process and the role of the artist in the creation of artwork.  The links between “Mine Moonlight” and “From the Ground Up,” in particular how it pertains to the influence of region, will be explored in the interpretations of the exhibitions.  A Museum of American Glass docent-led tour is offered daily at 2:30 p.m.

As of April 1, 2016, WheatonArts is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Admission prices and additional information for planning a visit to WheatonArts can be found by visiting wheatonarts.org or by calling 1-800-998-4552 or 856-825-6800.  Please submit requests for press images to wheatonartsnews@wheatonarts.org.

WheatonArts strives to ensure the accessibility of its exhibitions, events and programs to all persons with disabilities. Provide two weeks notice for additional needs. Patrons with hearing and speech disabilities may contact WheatonArts through the New Jersey Relay Service (TRS) 800-852-7899 or by dialing 711.

Funding has been made possible in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts and the New Jersey Cultural Trust. WheatonArts receives general operating support from the New Jersey Historical Commission, Division of Cultural Affairs in the New Jersey Department of State, and is supported in part by the New Jersey Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism.###