Museum for Art in Wood in Philadelphia

February 6, 2023 by HughE Dillon Leave a comment

The day after the Eagles cliched the NFC Championship, Eagles clad folks gathered to celebrate the name change of The Center for Art in Wood to the Museum for Art in Wood on North 3rd Street in Old City. Go birds!!

Jennifer-Navva Milliken, Executive Director & Chief Curator

On January 30, the organization officially rebranded as the Museum for Art in Wood after undergoing an intensive and diligent planning process. The move allows the Museum to be further recognized by an international community of artists, scholars, and collectors as a critical resource in studying art, craft, and design in wood. It also reinforces the Museum for Art in Wood’s mission to stimulate and nurture creative engagements surrounding wood, an organic, shapeable, sustainable, and conceptually inspiring material.

“This organization has grown to become the world leader in building appreciation, awareness, and
scholarship for art in wood,” said Jennifer-Navva Milliken, Museum for Art in Wood’s Executive Director
and Chief Curator. “From its earliest days as the Wood Turning Center to its pivotal move to the current
location in the cultural and historic heart of Philadelphia, this dynamic Museum has hosted
groundbreaking exhibitions, built a distinctive and important collection and archives, and opened its
doors to the wonder of creativity in wood to visitors locally, regionally, and internationally.

**Vivian Chiu,**speaks about being part of The Vessel exhibition going on through Feb 12th at the Museum

Patricia Fowler, Esq., **Board President, [Ret.] Estate Lawyer**

In addition to the rebranding, the organization is honored to announce a historic and transformative $10 million endowment from the Windgate Foundation, designated to strengthen the future of the Museum and allow the organization to expand its mission, programs, and plans for growth. $3.5 million of the gift is held as a named, designated endowment at the Arkansas Community Foundation with the remaining invested by the Museum for Art in Wood.

Jennifer D. Martin, Executive Director of The Clay Studio and **Leila Cartie**r, Executive Director of CraftNOW Philadelphia attended the announcement and reception.

The museum’s collection holds 1,200 objects, and its research library contains 1,000 books and reading materials about the history of wood turning and woodworking.

Under the new branding, the Museum for Art in Wood will host an inaugural, community-focused,
exhibition and shared-making project titled The Mashrabiya Project. The Project, which launches March
3 and features new works by international artists from across the Islamic world, was made possible by a
project grant from the Pew Center for Arts & Heritage.

The cornerstone of The Mashrabiya Project is
Seeing Through Space, a multi-disciplinary exhibition featuring newly commissioned works from six
female-identifying international artists. The Mashrabiya Project also includes interactive programming, a

shared-making experience, and a publication showcasing and exploring the significance of the wood-
turned mashrabiya.

Curated by Milliken, this will be the first effort in the United States to examine this

Thanks to the speakers who came out to support the day includin Senator Nikil Saval, Mary Isaacson, 175th District, State Representative and Councilman Mark Squilla

architectural object and its prominence in Islamic and Egyptian craft while highlighting its greater
cultural significance in contemporary art. The Museum for Art in Wood will present The Mashrabiya
Project from March 3 to July 23, 2023, and host hybrid programming to encourage further public
engagement and discussion.

Located in Old City, Museum for Art in Wood is open to visitors Wednesday through Sunday and is free of charge to all visitors.

Hilton Garden Inn Opening Party, Plus July 4th on the Camden Waterfront

June 8, 2021 by HughE Dillon Leave a comment

Peter Slavin, owner of Ice Sculpture Philly creates a stunning piece for the opening of the Hilton

The much-anticipated Hilton Garden Inn Camden Waterfront began accepting guests last December, but marked the opening with a grand party Wednesday night attended by those responsible for the first new hotel in Camden in more than 50 years, as well as friends, family and newly elected officials who are excited to see one more new project happen in Camden Rising, which many of the attendees echoed.

The Hilton Garden Inn Camden Waterfront is an eight-story property featuring 180 rooms, with 20 custom-built suites that include a kitchenette. From the guest rooms to the hotel restaurant, visitors can enjoy views of the scenic Philadelphia skyline, Delaware River, and Ben Franklin Bridge. Indoor and outdoor dining is onsite at The Water Street Grill, enhanced with firepits, cozy seating, and unique menus. Other amenities and services include complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the property, a 24-hour business center, and a 1,300-square-foot state-of-the-art fitness center.

Michael Moskowitz, Vic Carstarphen, Mayor of Camden, and Kam Baboff

Janice Nusetti, Louis Cicalese and Carol Tamburino

Matt McClelland, EVP of Operations – Development at Concord Hospitality Enterprises, Chris Tyner, Regional Vice President at Concord Hospitality Enterprises and Kevin Mcateer, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Concord Hospitality

The hotel includes over 4,100-square-foot of multiuse space, equipped with projection screens, 65-inch smart TVs, and built-in audio-visual equipment, including an executive board room and ballroom.

A participant in the Hilton CleanStay Program, the hotel will be one of the first in the U.S. to have an upgraded filtration system throughout, known as Bipolar Air Ionization.

Did I mention the rooms, and these spectacular views.

WOW, simply gorgeous of the Philly skyline and Ben Franklin Bridge. Plus the Hilton Garden Inn Camden Waterfront is just steps away from venues like BB&T Arena, Adventure Aquarium and the Battleship NJ as well as has a beautiful park in front of the hotel and pathway which connects to Wiggins Park.

(In my pre PhillyChitChat days, I was once a paralegal for the City Attorney’s office in Camden and helped research and write the environmental regulations for the Adventure Aquarium. I have the document framed.)

The hotel was developed by Ensemble Real Estate Investments and is operated by Concord Hospitality Enterprises Co. It was designed by Nelson Worldwide and built by INTECH Construction.

I shot Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes 2 summers ago with a surprise visit by Bruce. Johnny is performing at the Camden Waterfront July 4th Freedom Festival next month.

I really liked the Hilton Garden and can see a staycation in my future. I can see one for you as well, maybe in the next 30 days like July 4th Weekend. The Camden Waterfront is doing an in person concert, festivities and fireworks on July 4th. Check out the info HERE

Just steps from the Hilton Garden Inn Camden Waterfront is this view, and you can see it from any room on the west side of the hotel, or the hotels patio. What are you waiting for, book the hotel with the best view of Philadelphia. BOOK HERE