FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Philadelphia – The City of Philadelphia’s Art In City Hall exhibition program celebrates its 57th group exhibition for local emerging and professional artists. On the Fringe of Fiber highlights the artistic achievements of 50 Philadelphia area artists working in the medium of fiber. The exhibit runs from February 19 – May 22, 2009 on the second and fourth floors of City Hall, NE corner. A reception open to the general public is scheduled for Thursday, February 19, from 5-7pm.

The 50 participating artists are:

Wendolyn Anderson, Virginia Batson, June Blumberg, Linda Celestian, Karen Donde, Shelby Donnelly, Patricia Doran, Stephanie Dorfman, Marie Elcin, Elizabeth W. Fram, Adrienne Gale, Alyson Giantisco, Patty Greenspoon, Lesley Haas, Melissa Maddonni Haim, Ted Hallman, Nancy Herman, Sara Horne, Toni Kersey, Pat diPaula Klein, Diane Koss, Maris Fisher Krasnegor, Marilyn E. Lavins, Betty Leacraft, Susan Leonard, Craig Matthews, Emily McBride, Bette McCarron, Leslie Meeks, Nancy Middlebrook, Valetta, Vera Nakonechny, Pam Pawl, Christopher Ray, Sheila Ruen, Ellen Sall, Sophie Sanders, Martha Savery-Kahn, Lee Harper Schultz, Kathy Selbst, Gretchen Slentz, Marci Smoger, Pete Stevens, Francine Strauss, Jacqueline Unanue, Bette Uscott-Woolsey, Helen Webber, Duane Weber, Kiersten Wildermuth and Jane J. Wilke.

The guest curator for On the Fringe of Fiber is K. Pannepacker, a recognized local fiber artist. Ms. Pannepacker was chosen by the Art In City Hall Exhbiitions Committee to select the work in the show:

I thought continually of contrast and quality. I wanted to not only bring together works in the fiber medium that contained the familiar context of string and structure, but that would also compel the viewer to notice the numerous variations of techniques and materials in the fiber medium today... thus, on the fringe.

With 50 artists exhibiting, expect to see a wide range of works focused on fiber, including high quality textiles, quilts and woven baskets. But also experience works wrapped in glass, hanging hair encapsulated by finger skin molds made from glue, dresses made from hand-made paper, fabric installations, and a variety of mixed media works.

Art In City Hall is a collaborative effort between the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Public Property and the arts community. It is supported by an independent Advisory Council made up of arts professionals and private citizens. Since the program began in 1984, over 1600 emerging artists have shown their talents in the hallways of City Hall through juried group exhibitions based on specific themes. In addition to exhibitions for professional artists, the program also displays artwork from the School District of Philadelphia, and other city agencies and non-profits.