Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show and Philadelphia’s Art Scene

The Barnes Foundation

Philadelphia is an American city steeped in history, with a legacy stretching back hundreds of years. It is one of the great original American cities, and that is evident from the Liberty Bell to Independence Hall. Philadelphia’s incredible history also extends to its artistic history. It is the site of some of America’s most famed art history museums, and it has a deep-seated legacy of artistic creation.

Philadelphia is one of the best art cities in the country, and every year different events celebrate the great artistic traditions of the city. One of these art events is just around the corner, a long-standing art show that brings huge crowds of art enthusiasts to the city. Let’s explore this event, the Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show, and other great Philadelphian art options.

Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show

Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show

The Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show is the oldest outdoor art show in the country, with a history stretching back nearly 95 years. Originally founded by artists in 1928, the show continues to draw in thousands to enjoy works of art from around 150 top-notch, highly skilled artists. There are two iterations of this show every year, with an early summer iteration and a fall one.

This year’s iteration of the Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show will take place from June 3rd-5th at the famed Rittenhouse Square Park. The show is completely free to enter, as has been the tradition since the show began nearly a hundred years ago. It will be a significant event that draws tens of thousands to Rittenhouse Square to witness incredible works from highly talented artists.

The Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show will feature over 140 artists vetted by a jury of their peers to earn a spot at the showcase. The artists display works in six categories: oil & acrylics, drawings & pastels, mixed media, sculpture, watercolor, and printmaking. There will be a large diversity in the type of works that artists are showing, and it will be an exciting opportunity to see an array of works from highly-talented, emerging creators from around the city and country.

The show will also have a family-friendly slant. Head to the park’s center to enjoy a hands-on community art project that will be great for kids of all ages. The event has a lively atmosphere and is a great celebration of Philadelphia’s art history.

This event is the perfect way to spend an early summer day, with a setting in one of Philadelphia’s best green spaces and show-stopping works in an array of art categories. It is a can’t-miss Philadelphia tradition.

Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show

Other Great Philadelphia Art Options

While the Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show is a major event for Philadelphia’s art scene, it is only on for three days, twice a year. If you’re looking to see art on a more permanent basis in the city, Philadelphia has some of the country’s best art museums and galleries. Let’s look at two of Philadelphia’s best art museums.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art is one of America’s best-known art museums, opening its doors in 1928. With the iconic Rocky statue adorning the top steps, this museum is a well-known spot for a tourist photo. But the works it offers are the real attraction. The museum houses over 240,000 objects and works, ranging from historical artifacts to fine arts from some of the most famous artists to ever live. There are artifacts stretching back 2,000 years and works from Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, and Marcel Duchamp, among many others.

Another famed collection of art in the city is the Barnes Foundation. The Barnes Foundation is an art collection and educational institution that houses over 4,000 objects, including 900 paintings, estimated to be worth over $25 billion. It includes various artifacts and antiques from Greece, China, and Egypt. There are also numerous paintings from artists like Pablo Picasso, Paul Cézanne, Henri Matisse, and Vincent Van Gogh. There are numerous other iconic artists whose works are also featured. It is a massive collection in an impeccably designed building, and is definitely worth a visit.

The Barnes Foundation