Second Thursdays at NextFab: 2022 Artisan Accelerator Showcase

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.

In this month’s Second Thursday event, we are officially opening our Artisan Accelerator showcase in the NextFab Gallery! Join us as we unveil the work of our graduating Artisan Accelerator cohort including:

• Breck of Breck Built: A one-person custom fabrication studio that encourages others to see their surroundings as a place to positively express themselves. He intervenes with this by designing and building one-of-a-kind furniture pieces, organizational solutions, display fixtures, and other creative objects. Another part of his mission is to equip communities with basic skills to safely and confidently design and build as well.
• Niki of Niki Leist Jewelry: a collection of sterling silver jewelry that’s handcrafted in her home studio in Mt. Airy, Philadelphia, PA. Inspired by a connection to the earth, and made by hand with intention, each piece of unique jewelry brings to mind organic shapes and an earthy feeling. Niki creates with the hope that the wearer will feel connected to the beauty and individuality of handmade, heirloom jewelry. In turn, each high quality, fine jewelry piece will empower the wearer to express their truest selves, enhancing the uniqueness and beauty of their own lives⁠
• Julie of juicebox workshop: Using repurposed textiles, Julie creates impressionistic landscapes and wearable pieces that convey her passion for nature and creative reuse. Her work integrates materials she’s inherited from 3 generations of family, vintage goods, damaged textiles donated by community members, and reclaimed trash. These materials reflect her commitment to developing work that tells meaningful stories, generates zero waste, and spreads joy. Julie’s creative process incorporates elements of collage, applique, embroidery, quilting, painting, and sculpture, and involves many hours of hand and machine sewing. Every piece has a story. Every textile is repurposed with purpose.⁠
• Cole of Philly Plasti Co.: an emerging business focused on taking plastic out of the struggling and outdated Philadelphia waste management system and turning it into new and useful products made of 100% post-consumer recycled plastic. They are affiliated with Precious Plastic, a worldwide, open-source community aimed at reducing plastic waste in a variety of ways.⁠
• Casey of Squirrel Tacos: hand-cut paper artist from Philadelphia, currently living and working on a small farm in New Jersey. Working under the name Squirrel Tacos, Lynch uses centuries-old techniques to create enchanted gardens, howling wolves, and woodland vignettes inspired by Folklore and daydreams. Each piece intends to pull the viewer into a secret forest and wash away the weight of reality.
• Sarah of block set project/ soft co: Block Set Project produces curated prop kits for photography styling, using materials like concrete, MDF, recycled plastic, and stone to craft props. Block Set Project props are meant as a shortcut to elevated visuals, especially in product photography and still lifes. These props take the guesswork out of styling visual content for lookbooks, social content, client work, and more. Soft Co. is working towards a personal artistic practice.
• Richie of Brujologie: A Fiber Arts Boutique and Workshop (currently online) created by Richie Wilde Lopez. Specializing in handmade heirloom textile pieces using traditional embroidery and weaving techniques, they are inspired by the multi-layered identities of those living within the diaspora, which produce an endless source of inspiration.
• Katie of Savvy Custom Gifts: Designs, ships, and packages extraordinary gifts. They look for trending products in the gift personalization market and put their own spin on the decorative design of those gifts.

What are Second Thursdays?

For 17 years, the Crane Arts Building has hosted monthly art exhibitions, performances, and openings on the Second Thursday of every month. Similar to First Fridays in Old City, but not wanting to compete, Second Thursdays was created to highlight the creative community of the North Philadelphia neighborhood – and well it stuck! 

American St. is becoming a booming street for artists, makers, and creatives of all types, and we invite you to come out to be a part of this. Between the Crane Arts Building and the Clay Studio, the NextFab building at 1800 North houses eight businesses that will also be opening their doors on the second Thursday of every month. At 1800 N. American St. the creative work ranges from restoring historic neon, sourcing salvaged materials, empowering artists, building bicycles, supporting artisan businesses, a gorgeous floral market, and a restaurant mixing up amazing cocktails. All are welcome to this open house-style event! 

• The Resource Exchange
• The Neon Museum of Philadelphia
• Sor Ynez
• Keystone Bicycle Co
• Beaty American Salvage
• JigBee Flower Farm
• Center for Creative Works