RECAP // MF Member Trip to Philadelphia!

On August 19, 2017, the Mattress Factory set out on its first-ever overnight trip to Philadelphia!

After loading up on coffee, pastries, and other goodies from a hearty breakfast spread, MF members boarded a coach bus at the early hour of 7am. Once the bus got rolling, members had the chance to mingle and get to know their fellow art appreciators. There was a great deal of excitement as everyone on the bus chatted about what was sure to be the highlight of the trip, the visit to the James Turrell Skyspace, Greet the Light.

MF Members socialized during the drive to Philadelphia!

Our first stop was The Fabric Workshop and Museum where Kate Abercrombie, Printing Production Manager and Master Printer, showed our group several artist boxes. After each Artist in Residence at The Fabric Workshop and Museum completes their time there, the museum preserves artifacts from their residency at the museum in boxes. It was a rare look into the working practice of artists, such as Ann Hamilton [artifacts from her piece pictured below], who exhibited at the MF.

Then, Kate led a screen printing demonstration, and MF members had the chance to try out screen printing on fabric! After taking some time to tour the Louis Kahn exhibition, members packed up for a quick break before their next adventure.

Factory 500 member Anoo pulls off a perfect print!

The group convened for a delicious, multi-course dinner and drinks at El Poquito restaurant! The group had a chance to chat about their shared love of art - and everything else, too, over a leisurely meal. There was laughter and conversation all around, and members left the table not only having had a good meal, but having made new friends.

Trip attendees enjoyed craft cocktails and delightful food together!

As the sun began to set, the group traveled over to the Chestnut Hill Friends Meeting, a Quaker Meetinghouse where the James Turrell Skyspace, Greet the Light, is housed. There, Signe Wilkinson greeted our group and spoke with us about the piece. Everyone found their place, the lights dimmed, and the hour-long experience began. Photos are not allowed in the Turrell piece, but our members described the piece as an extraordinary sensation, meditative, and truly transcendent. 

Everyone's experience was a little different. Members saw the color of the sky change, observed the sky appearing to become solid, to move, to expand and contract. They saw the ceiling disappear, and watched satellites move across an alien-looking green, then pink, then purple, then blacker-than-black field. The group left feeling calmed and illuminated by their shared encounter with one of James Turrell's phenomenal works.

Some of our group were so entranced with Greet the Light that they returned at 5am to take part in the sunrise viewing of the piece. Members of the morning crew reported that the morning experience was unique and incredibly vibrant. All who went were happy they traded sleep for the opportunity.

This intrepid crew returned to the Skyspace at 5am for a sunrise viewing - and it was worth it!

The rest of the morning was spent freely. Some people ventured out for brunch while others took advantage of the hotel's central location to visit sites such as the Barnes Foundation, Reading Terminal, and the Mütter Museum. Around noon, everyone convened for one last adventure.

At FS Investments, trip-goers were let in on a quiet Sunday to explore the CEO, Michael Forman's, private art collection. The artists represented in the collection are too numerous to name here, but included Chuck Close, Alex Katz, Robert Motherwell, and Cecily Brown. The group wandered down halls, peeked into meeting rooms, and climbed up and down stairs finding rarely-seen artwork by a diverse array of modern and contemporary artists at every turn.

Attendees returned to Pittsburgh Sunday evening with amazing memories and new connections. If you missed it this time, keep an eye out, because we may be cooking up a repeat tour for the future!