Check out the latest CAi art installment entitled "The Last Breath" by Phillip Scarpone at various Bowman Properties locations on Germantown Ave.

Empty Window Theory

Even though Chestnut Hill’s retail recruiter is working hard to bring new businesses to our community, many of the storefronts on Germantown Avenue still remain empty.

Or, rather, they are empty of new business. Thanks to the Chestnut Hill Arts Initiative (CAi) Chestnut Hill shoppers and residents are discovering artwork where, once, only empty space reigned.

CAi is an Extension of Project Sketchbook

Our story from earlier this year introduced Project Sketchbook, a program that helped students showcase art in vacant storefronts along the Avenue.

CAi is an extension of that initiative but this time, with 10 professional artists. If you want to know where the specific pieces are located, CAi has a map that correlates the names and locations involved.

Artist and Philadelphia native, Brookes Britcher, says it is all thanks to Eileen Reilly and Rob Lamb for getting the show on the road and Bowman Properties for providing the space for the showcase.“They basically wanted to try to utilize some of the storefronts to generate excitement in the community,” says Brookes.

CAi also seeks to encourage “professional artists to creatively engage and contribute to the visual landscape of Chestnut Hill through the reactivation of storefront spaces.”

Gotta Find Them All!

Brookes also says that CAi utilizes the element of discovery.

Brookes says, “The idea that these people are discovering these pieces in their everyday life and are getting a chance to live with it allows CAi to have an impact that a more traditional exhibition would not be privy to.”

The Return of CAi

While the closing reception on August 20 at 6 p.m. marks the summer phase of CAi at the old Magarity car dealer, CAi has more in store for Chestnut Hill before its curtain call.

Brookes says that he is already working with Susan Braccia, an art-instructor from Academy In Manayunk for future plans to invite area art educators "beyond showcasing the personal/professional talent of the educators" but also propose free art workshops and give back to the community.

"There’s a lot of creativity in the community," says Brookes.