Philadelphia Art Alliance: A Home for the Arts and Fine Food

Produced by Monica Rogozinski

The Art Alliance and Le Cheri have brought together the ideals of craft and design. The Art Alliance was founded as an artists club on Walnut Street in 1915, and has always found value in combining good food, good art, and good conversation. In 1926 it moved to its current location in the Rittenhouse Square neighborhood. In 2007, the Art Alliance refocused its mission exclusively on contemporary craft and design.

Le Cheri by Chef Pierre Calmels, utilizes the Art Alliance’s ideals of craft, executing an ever-changing French menu. In turn, the gallery has altered its hours to accommodate those who plan to view the exhibit around the time of their lunch and dinner experiences.

The Art Alliance’s current exhibit entitled “HUSH,” created entirely by Tyler School of Design professors, will be on display until April 24. Its goal is to create a conversation between the differing artists through subtle tranquil pieces. One of the four artists, Jessica Jane Julius, investigates the process of turning something intangible into something tangible using glass beads as her medium.

The Art Alliance isn’t the only art space that has embraced fine dining. The Kimmel Center has recently redesigned its gift shop into Volver, the flagship restaurant by Chef Jose Garces, and the new FringeArts building was conceived with restaurant LA PEG as part of its mission. Both restaurants and their respective venues will be featured in future segments of Friday Arts that explore the intertwining of art and food.

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