Philadelphia’s 10 Stunning Contemporary Art Galleries

The Pentimenti Gallery specializes in content-driven contemporary art by internationally established artists and emerging talents who challenge traditional materials and aesthetics. Its broad exhibition program has developed since the gallery’s opening in 1992 and now encompasses abstract and figurative aesthetics along with innovative works created from unconventional materials such as packaging tape and embroidered x-rays. Since its inception, Pentimenti Gallery has worked closely with its represented artists, maintaining a commitment to process-based work and elaborate craftsmanship. Located in a historical, industrial building, the gallery has two exhibition spaces and a Project Room, where public art projects are held. Pentimenti Gallery also regularly attends international art fairs such as CONTEXT Art Miami, Miami Project Art Fair, and Texas Contemporary.

If you’re looking for the next big name in contemporary art, the ICA is a go-to destination. Founded in 1963 by the visionary Holmes Perkins, the Institute of Contemporary Art at the University of Pennsylvania was designed to expose students to innovative, up-and-coming areas of art and culture. Committed to bringing under-recognized artists into the spotlight, the gallery hit the ground running, holding Andy Warhol’s first-ever museum solo show in 1965. With a long list of early shows by now-renowned artists such as Laurie Anderson, Richard Artschwager, Vija Celmins, Karen Kilimnik, Agnes Martin, and Cy Twombly under its belt, the ICA has earned its reputation as a preeminent venue for contemporary art. Exhibitions at the ICA are not to be missed, showcasing contemporary art that is both accessible and adventurous.

Presenting music, theater, painting, and sculpture under one roof, the Philadelphia Art Alliance (PAA) is the city’s top destination for contemporary craft and design. Established by philanthropist Christine Wetherill Stevenson in 1915, the PAA addressed an unmet need in the local arts community for a gallery dedicated specifically to craft and design. Over the years, the PAA have presented an offering of twelve exhibitions per year by artists such as Mary Cassatt, Horace Pippin, Antonio Gaudi, Man Ray, Candy DePew, Gils Bakker and The Miss Rockaway Armada. Exhibitions are often accompanied by an extensive program of artist talks, concerts, workshops, readings and performances, inviting visitors to engage with the disciplines of craft and design in new ways.

The Toothless Cat is an eclectic gallery owned by tattoo artists Jason Goldberg and Dave Fox and artist and writer Jl Schnabel. The gallery can be found inside the well-loved vintage clothing and retro gift store Jinxed at the new Piazza at Schmidt’s and is dedicated to showcasing works by new and established underground artists. The Toothless Cat also shows strong support for local talents, including painter Monique Ligions, through exhibitions that are thematically dark and eccentric. Alongside exhibitions, the gallery holds popular opening nights and events such as the Jinxed/Toothless Cat First Friday. Visitors to the gallery can also get a speak-peak of the artists at work in the adjoining studio.

An internationally recognized venue for contemporary ceramics, The Clay Studio is at once a community-oriented education center, ceramics studio and exhibition space. Ever since its launch in 1974, its mission has been to promote ceramic arts and make Clay an accessible, tactile medium for the wider community. In 1979, The Clay Studio became an official non-profit educational institution and has since taken a leading role in the revitalization of Philadelphia’s Old City gallery district. The Clay Studio is distinguished by its diverse educational and exhibition program and has, over the years, become a focal point for ceramic arts. Mounting several major international exhibitions such as British Studio Ceramics (2001), Chinese Ceramics Today (2003) and From the North: Canadian Ceramics (2006), The Clay Studio has maintained a strong commitment to its local community through collaborations with regional cultural institutions, artists, school and community centers.