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Join NextFab as we participate in Second Thursdays – a chance to view new galleries and creative spaces, and connect with the artists and makers of Philadelphia. Come see art, get inspired, and even have a delicious dinner as you visit the 1800 North American building! We have eight subtenant businesses here whose creative work ranges from activating salvaged materials, restoring historic neon, empowering artists, building amazing bicycles, supporting artisan businesses, growing gorgeous flowers, and mixing up delicious cocktails. We will be opening our doors monthly on Second Thursdays to welcome you all!
On May 12th, come take a tour of NextFab spaces and studios, and check out the debut exhibition of artist and builder Aaron Harel – showing his functional decor and lighting fixtures made from up-cycled drum shells. Harel meticulously mills and arranges natural wood shell sections to create textural landscapes that evoke soothing moods, calming inspiration, and a feeling of warmth from natural wood grain displays. This spring collection emerges with experiments in lighting, exploring how not only wired light but also natural light moves through the deeply textured pieces. Harel’s designs give particular consideration to balance, color, pattern, shape, and weight ensuring each piece brings a sense of calm and order amongst randomness.
The work began when Harel spent time as a designer at a custom drum shop and took notice of an excess of high quality but otherwise unused waste from the drum shell building process. Utilizing the curved nature of the shells, Harel saw an opportunity to experiment with an acoustically viable diffusion panel. The result was not only functional but a new creative pursuit in its own right. Each piece aims to respect and fuel the regrowth of our precious resources by utilizing 100% of the pre-consumer waste generated during the drum building process, and replenishing our trees via planting two trees per square foot of work generated.
Additionally, come check out paper clay-making demos by NextFab technical supervisor, Anne Burtner, who will be showing viewers how they can build sustainability in their paper-making process.
Finishing up on view with our newest Gallery Show with the Center for Art in Wood x NextFab Winter Residency which is showcasing Fellow Robert Aiosa. Meet other like-minded makers, and see our makerspace shops activated.