Essay about Amy Ritter's work for Artblog

Please go to Artblog to read my essay on Amy Ritter’s work and exhibition at Grizzly Grizzly

Lauren Whearty pens a heartfelt introduction to the work of Amy Ritter, part of a photographic archive recently on view at Grizzly Grizzly. Ritter, who grew up in a mobile home community, documents the lives of the mobile home communities as a way of revealing their vulnerability and hopefully rectifying their plight. Part of her project is to research and create a Mobile Home Archive. Link in the post below.

Amy Ritter, Fear | Comfort, Still image from Fear | Comfort Digital Video, 2024. Archival Inkjet Print. 12 x 20 inches. Photo courtesy of the artist

Libby Rosa - interview and exhibition discussion

I had the privilege of interviewing Philadelphia artist Libby Rosa, who runs Peep Projects in the Crane Building. We talked in person and continued the interview via email. We talked about what it’s like to be an artist running a gallery, and her current exhibit, ‘BELL OUT OF ORDER PLEASE KNOCK,’ at Bertrand Productions, Globe Dye Works in North Philly, as part of the city-wide series (re)FOCUS: Philadelphia Focuses on Women in the Visual Arts


Libby Rosa, “Attract,” on view in BELL OUT OF ORDER PLEASE KNOCK at Bertrand Productions, 2024. Flashe and pastel on canvas, 22”x18” Image courtesy of the artist

Uarts Closure - Writing for Artblog

I wrote a bit about UArts recent closure for Artblog.

Lauren Whearty, an adjunct faculty member at University of the Arts, writes a thoughtful and questioning essay about the future for all who are touched directly or indirectly by the imminent closure of the school (scheduled for June 7, 2024). Summing up her argument that higher education in the arts must change, Lauren says, "We need more art schools and educational communities that cultivate the arts holistically, make education affordable, and work toward making arts education a sustainable necessity, rather than a decoration on Broad Street."

Some of my Painting students in 2023 as Juniors. This class just graduated. Clockwise from top left: Nevaeh Ryals, Lauren Whearty, David Idowu, Gabriella Fiero, Rachel Maitre, Alex Latimer Vera, Zen Cohen, Jael Lunsford, Alyssa Urbiank, Prince De Leon. Photo by David Idowu

Interview with FJORD for their 10th Anniversary

I interviewed members of FJORD for their 10th anniversary - hope you’ll read it on Artblog

I am so excited to speak with Co-Directors Natessa Amin, and Anthony Bowers of FJORD on the momentous occasion of their 10th anniversary. Discovering their space when I returned to Philadelphia from graduate school inspired my own curatorial projects, as well as my desire to be a part of an artist-run space. I have been a Co-Director at Ortega y Gasset Projects, an artist-run curatorial collective in Brooklyn, NY since 2017. We also celebrated our 10 year anniversary this year, so I thought this would be a great opportunity to sit down and talk about the history of FJORD, what it’s like to be a part of an artist-run space, and what their vision is for the future. Fjord’s 10 Year Anniversary event was held at Atelier on Saturday, September 16, 2023. You can still support them by making a donation through their Paypal.

Artblog Interview with Marilyn Holsing

I visited Marilyn Holsing’s studio in the Crane Building in 2022. I had invited myself after seeing posts of her recent paintings and drawings on Instagram. It was such an exciting experience to see the dioramas in person, to navigate this fantastical world of plants and characters, and to hear more about the inventive world that she has created. It was such a pleasure to interview Marilyn, to dive deeper into the history and content behind her work.

I hope you’ll go to Artblog to read the interview!

BOUND, 2023 oil and acrylic on canvas on panel photo credit: John Carlano

Growth Cycle - One Day Exhibition

Growth Cycle


Please join us on Saturday, April 17, from 12-5 pm for Growth Cycle, a one day installation of artworks, in Palumbo Park, adjacent to Fleisher Art Memorial at 719 Catharine Street, in Philadelphia.

In response to a year of virtual substitutes, Lauren Whearty has organized this opportunity for artists to exhibit work that they’ve made throughout the pandemic, and to consider their work within the context of the park’s garden, and its surrounding architecture. 

Growth Cycle represents both our experience of the past year, and the inevitable growth and change that exists within individual and bodies of work. Themes within this group vary from research and observation of our natural environment, to concepts addressing individual experiences of time and place, and explorations of material processes. Palumbo Park is the perfect place to spark new connections between the artists’ works and the environment, as well as a place to create connections between the works themselves.  

The exhibiting artists include: Natessa Amin, Morgan Hobbs, Alexis Granwell, Kathleen Eastwood, Adam Lovitz, Kaitlin Pomerantz, Rebecca Saylor Sack, Colleen McCubbin Stepanic, David Walsh, & Lauren Whearty.

Thank you to Friends of Palumbo Park, Bella Vista Neighbors Association, and Da Vinci Art Alliance for allowing us to use the space for this exhibition. 

Exhibition Photos by Colleen McCubbin Stepanic.

Artist Websites and Instagram Links: 

Natessa Amin: @n_8_s 

Morgan Hobbs: @morganraquelhobbs

Alexis Granwell: @alexisgranwell

Kathleen Eastwood: @kathleeneastwood

Adam Lovitz: @adamlovitz

Kaitlin Pomerantz: @_kkp_

Rebecca Saylor Sack: @rebeccasaylorsackstudio

Colleen McCubbin Stepanic: @colleenmccubbinstepanic

Dave Walsh: @davefwalsh

Lauren Whearty: @lwhearty