EP 1. ART UNDER THE STARS
It’s officially fall and this recap is grossly overdue. I actually considered just posting a carousel of photos with an evasive caption like, “You had to be there…”, but I’d be remiss to bypass sharing the memories of the first “Art Under the Stars”. To keep this very honest, by the time I got the photos back and edited them, I was already on to the next. I kept telling myself to write the recap tomorrow, and between work and life, tomorrow kept coming and going. You all held me accountable, so thank you. For everyone who attended, or wish they could have, this #ArtUnderTheStars2023 memory is for us.
On July 22nd, over 200 of you attended “Art Under the Stars,” and I was over the moon! Earlier this year, I decided that I wanted to host my first solo show. I envisioned an evening summer soirée in a beautiful garden celebrating art, life & the connections we’ve made along the way. During the process of planning, the show grew and took on a life of its own. I’m grateful that I was able to curate this celebration of art and community.
VENUE
The event was held at the Sculpture Courtyard, a venue that transports you from North Philly to a gorgeous private enclosure. Thank you to Brielle for ensuring the experience was as easy as possible. During the summer, the sidewalk leading to the entrance is lined with sunflowers. The outer walls are covered in street art and graffiti, but inside there is rustic elegance, warm lights, and a lush garden that creates a lovely ambiance.
VISUAL ARTISTS
For this first show, I had set criteria for the featured artists. 1) I had to know them in real life, 2) I have to respect their hustle, and/or 3) I genuinely enjoy and admire their work. I reached out, and none of them hesitated. I am so grateful for these artists, their support, and their artistry. Please check out their websites and work, and follow if you feel it.
HUGE THANK YOU to the Artists:
• Art By JLaw : (www.ArtbyJLaw.com)
• Staci Watson Art : (www.OctoberGallery.com)
• Mr. Konceptz : (www.konceptz.myportfolio.com)
• Cocoa Canvas : (www.cocoacanvas.art)
• Dylan Poratta (He has no online presence. Yes, we’ve discussed this.)
The event's focus was celebrating Visual Art and Living Artists, but what would a celebration be without good music and food? Not to mention the people and angels behind the scenes helping to ensure the event was a success. THANK YOU to everyone who made the show what it was.
SOUNDS
Brotha Taaj asked me the vibe I was going for. I told him the sound and made a playlist to capture the mood. He executed the entire set perfectly. Imagine going for a five-hour road trip with someone and not having to question one selection. He was awesome.
The Funkitorium (www.TheFunkitorium.com) came out to perform. I know The Funkitorium for more upbeat funk sounds, but Re-Mus created a lovely ambiance with the audience for a moment before the pace picked back up.
EATS
Food is a necessity for any and every gathering. I asked Fat Daddies Foods to vend, and they prepared some delicious eats for the day. They have sold their platters at the Roots Picnic and several other events throughout the city. The line had a wait, but no one seemed to mind. Good vibes.
If you’re from Philly, you already know Cloud Cups Gelato has some premium mouthwatering flavors. They have been featured by 6ABC, FOX, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and more purely for their quality. I am grateful they parked up and served us throughout the night. If you didn’t get a chance to try them, Cloud Cups opened a brick-and-mortar location in Fishtown this past spring. You want to get there!
SUPPORT
Major thanks to Mo for having me on her PreGame Podcast, sharing with her audience, and affirming success! She has built a platform keeping Philly updated with the best events happening weekly. Follow her page if you're a Philly native always looking for a move.
Big thank you to Dayannah for your input, help in spreading the word, and support through the stress of hosting my first art event.
Last but not least, thank you to WHYY, and writer Tonya Pendleton, for featuring “Art Under the Stars” in the events shared that month. I had no idea the event was featured until late August when my cousin brought it to my attention. I was elated to know that “Art Under the Stars” was reaching a broad audience, and I am grateful for the support and your presence that evening.
HUMONGOUS THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU!
There was such a feeling of warmth and joy. Honestly, aside from a few special moments, I just remember running around decorating with a ton of flowers, seeing smiles, and feeling all the love that night. I was a ball of nerves with it being the first show, but I couldn’t have asked for a better community and turnout. “Art Under the Stars” will be an annual art celebration, and thank you to creative patrons supporting living artists.
Access all photos from Art Under the Stars 2023 here.
SUBSCRIBE HERE to stay updated on upcoming shows!
