Marty MacKay, President
GEP Philly
Philadelphia
What are three great art institutions you would recommend for off-site events in Philadelphia?
- Philadelphia’s Rodin Museum: Philadelphia’s Rodin Museum on the scenic Benjamin Franklin Parkway is home to the largest collection of the artist’s sculptures outside of Paris. The museum opened in 1929 and houses 124 Rodin sculptures, including a bronze cast of The Thinker, perhaps the most famous sculpture in the world. The museum also features casts of The Burghers of Calais, his most heroic and moving historical tribute, and Eternal Springtime, one of the most powerful works dealing with human love. What I love about the space is the exterior garden that is perfect for spring or summer events. This jewel can also accommodate receptions or seated dinners in the interior gallery.
- FUEL (Fostering Undergraduate Exposure on Location) House: The FUEL House is located at the corner of Third and Arch streets in the historic Old City district of Philadelphia. The neoclassical building neighbors the Betsy Ross House and is within steps of Independence Mall. The newly restored FUEL House boasts a Grand Hall inlaid with well over 2,000 square feet of white Italian marble, 5,000 square feet of solid oak floors, a wrap-around marble balcony and a six-foot-diameter crystal chandelier—all of this in a multitiered structure that features local art in what I consider a truly one-of-a-kind venue that is one of the hippest in the city.
- The Art Alliance: Established in 1915, the Philadelphia Art Alliance is a multidisciplinary exhibition space for the visual, literary and performing arts and boasts two floors of gallery space with a quaint outside garden and restaurant space. The alliance is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Rittenhouse Square Historic District, located in the heart of Center City. Three to four exhibitions and more than 60 performances are presented each year in seven galleries that total 4,063 square feet. I think the space is perfect for a cocktail reception where guests can explore the several rooms or galleries and enjoy the art installations.