Art Club & Gallery
247 South Camac Street
Philadelphia, Pa 19107
215-545-9324
Since 1897, The Plastic Club has been devoted to the promotion and preservation of the visual (plastic) arts in Philadelphia. The busy gallery schedule offers several annual exhibitions for members and non-members, as well as invited artists in solo and group exhibitions. Members include well-known Philadelphia artists.
Its home is a historic double townhouse located on one of Philadelphia's "little streets" in the heart of the city. Built in 1824, it houses the club's spacious studio, gallery space, offices and dining facilities. The club purchased the property in 1909, and expanded it to include the house next door in 1910. In 2001 we began extensive rennovations which include restoring the exterior wood trim to its original color. Ongoing interior improvements include repairs and painting throughout. A bonus was opening the second floor windows, hidden behind panelling in a closet, from the inside. Two of our dedicated members restored the sashes to working order, bringing light and air into our studio.
More recently, the club has painted and installed new lighting in the gallery rooms on the first floor. Further improvements are under way for the studio on the second floor. Much remains to be done.
We are happy to have the venerable Philadelphia Sketch Club as our neighbor to the north on Camac Street. At one time there were several other clubs here, including the Cushman Club, now in private hands, which earned the alley the nickname "Little Street of Clubs". On October 21 2001, the historical value of our tiny street was formally recognized with the designation "Avenue of the Artists" by the City of Philadelphia.
Among the founding members of The Plastic Club were the "Red Rose Girls" -- Violet Oakley, Jessie Wilcox Smith, and Elizabeth Shippen Green -- outstanding artists of their time. The name was given this group of talented women by their teacher Howard Pyle.
Although initially formed as a women's group, The Plastic Club has always hosted exhibitions and lectures by prominent men and women artists. Membership was expanded to include men in 1991, and they now number about half of the active members.
Sidewalk sale of art by members brings in cash for building restoration. Generous donations from members of both money and time provide for the bulk of the ongoing improvements and repairs.
The Plastic Club entrance shows off the recent restoration
New name sign for the 200 block of Camac Street conveys historical tribute
Improvements in the main gallery include new rug, paint, and track lighting. (Photo by Morris Klein)