For a quarter century, InLiquid has been an anchor of Philadelphia's arts community. Here's a quick look back, and a vision for the future!
Logging On
Launched in 1999 by artist Rachel Zimmerman, InLiquid was designed to bridge the gap between artists and curators who were looking for artwork.
InLiquid.com was the first website of its kind. At the time, website development was expensive and inaccessible. InLiquid was transformative - it provided a trustworthy online platform for artists unable to maintain an internet presence. Working out of Rachel’s Old City apartment, InLiquid’s small team propelled the city’s art scene online and into the digital age.
Dial-up Days
The website became the go-to source for information about the visual arts in Philadelphia.
With an extensive artist directory, the site attracted the attention of curators, collectors, and the general public.
The website also ran the first comprehensive online index of Philadelphia’s art galleries, and maintained a calendar of the area’s art events.
The motivations of InLiquid’s launch are the foundation of today’s website, which houses over 300 artist profiles, a community calendar, and artist opportunity listings.
At the turn of the millennium, InLiquid organized a set of recurring events which unite the Philadelphia arts community with the general public.
Art for the Cash Poor
As a tongue-in-cheek response to the art world’s ultra-expensive art fairs, InLiquid developed Art for the Cash Poor - an accessible and affordable art festival. AFTCP brings together over 100 artists, craftspeople, and vendors to sell their work for $250 or less.
Each summer, thousands flock to Art for the Cash Poor to see new artwork, meet artists in the area, and buy art!
The Benefit
InLiquid’s annual fundraiser auction, The Benefit, is an open call for artists to submit their best work to be sold at auction, with an open invitation for anyone interested to come see it!
Each year, over 300 works of fine art are curated in one room, where InLiquid hosts a variety of events to unite the area’s artists and arts professionals.
Unlike many charity auctions, InLiquid splits the proceeds from each sale with the artists so that proceeds directly benefit the community and InLiquid’s non-profit mission.
The Benefit isn’t just a party, it’s when our community comes together to celebrate our visual arts culture.
“When I started my business in 2009 I had no idea where to begin to showcase and sell my work. Rachel was kind enough to meet me at a coffee shop, review my craft and offered me a space for their upcoming Art For The Cash Poor event. I’ve enrolled every year since, have participated on the planning committee and have donated artwork to their annual silent auction Benefit Party. I now have my own brick-and-mortar store thanks to the opportunities InLiquid has given me throughout the years.”
- Patrick Carrow, Owner and Creative Director, Patrick Michael Accesories, InLiquid Member since 2021
For general audiences, InLiquid provides quality arts programming, including exhibitions, artist talks, workshops, and gallery tours.
Alternative Art Spaces
Developing a clientele across industries and sectors, InLiquid began curating exquisite exhibitions of contemporary artwork for alternative spaces around the Philadelphia area, including galleries, corporate offices, residences, public spaces, and retail locations.
This expansion has brought more opportunities for the arts community, with InLiquid operating as a trusted connector between artists and collectors, curators, and the public at large.
Over the years, InLiquid has curated exhibitions and installations for URBN, Commerce Square, Philadelphia City Hall, Park Towne Place, Painted Bride Art Center, The National Old City Apartments, East Market, Park Towne Place Premiere Apartment Homes, Wanamaker House, Hyatt Centric, Marriott, and many more.
Putting InLiquid on the Map
InLiquid initially moved its offices to the Crane Arts Building in 2006, helping to establish South Kensington as a revitalizing arts corridor. In 2018, InLiquid opened its flagship gallery on the first floor of the Crane.
InLiquid Gallery has quickly become a premiere destination for contemporary art in Philadelphia. Since opening, the gallery has been dedicated to empowering a diverse community of artists and audiences, often hosting exhibitions which question societal norms, explore social issues, and promote dialogue among visitors.
As a non-profit providing opportunities and a platform for enhanced exposure for local artists, the Gallery is the first permanent space that offers rotating curation of our artist members’ work.
The Gallery aims to provide the local and visiting public with a social destination where artwork can be seen, enjoyed, experienced, and collected
“Since the almost 20 years that I have been an artist living and working in Philly, InLiquid has always kept me informed on current projects, and offered me opportunities that as an emerging artist, I am grateful for their service.”
-Jaime Alvarez, Photographer, InLiquid Member since 2013
Over the years, InLiquid has produced hundreds of exhibitions and worked with over 1000 artists, becoming a reputable resource for the contemporary arts in Philadelphia. Below are some highlights from our efforts so far:
Art for Action
InLiquid’s Art for Action initiative utilizes the arts as a means of education and social reform through exhibitions and public programming
Juvenile In Justice was an exhibition of works by artists Richard Ross, Roberto Lugo, and Mat Tomezsko, with an expressed goal of making local audiences aware of the critical discussion about juvenile incarceration occurring nationally and to give a voice to at-risk communities.
Commitment to Community
Over the past quarter-century, InLiquid has developed a proven track record of public engagement. In providing artists with opportunities to show their work and engage with the public, we in-turn provide general audiences with accessible arts experiences which expand the functionality and appreciation of visual arts in our community.
Pushing the Limits
Unbound by specifications of medium, our exhibitions have included traditional oil paintings, photography prints, and bronze sculptures, and also works made from human hair, augmented reality, lighting projections, and Glassphemy, glass bottle breaking station. Thinking outside of the box is what we do best. You never know what you’ll find at an InLiquid exhibition.
Times change, but our mission stays the same. InLiquid makes the contemporary visual arts culture of the Philadelphia region more accessible, working to support artists, unite communities, and nurture the public’s appreciation of the visual arts.
With 25 years (and counting) of community building action and expertise, we move forward with cemented motivation to expand our programming of dependably compelling visual arts experiences for our community.
Click here to learn more about our mission and support our efforts.
