Philly Visitors Make Most Out Of Visits By Making Things

A century ago, Philadelphia was commonly known as “the workshop of the world.” By the early 1900s, the historic city, already home to the country’s first art museum and school (Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts), had developed into a global force in manufacturing, producing locomotives, ships, textiles, garments, jewelry, shoes, paints, printed materials and much more. Today, the city’s entrepreneurial makers and artists are offering an increasing number of creative short-term classes, giving visitors opportunities to experience a taste of the city’s industrial heyday. Even weekend visitors can sign up for low-commitment sewing lessons (Made Institute), pottery classes (The Clay Studio), courses in 3D printing (The Hacktory), mosaic-making workshops (Philly’s Magic Gardens) and more. Here are some Philly spots that take sightseeing up a notch to sightmaking.

Quick, Creative Classes:

Philadelphia’s artists have become entrepreneurial, turning studios and maker spaces into temporary classrooms for curious students.

• East Falls Glassworks (East Falls) – Northwest of Center City is the city’s only public-access glass blowing studio. Here, professional glass artists rent studio space, dedicated students enroll in intensive courses—and guests enjoy one-day introductory classes in basic techniques such as glass blowing and casting. The shop also sells the items crafted by onsite and local glassworkers. 3510 Scotts Lane, (215) 908-7924, eastfallsglass.com
• Fason De Viv (Old City) – The motto of clothing designer Hanifah Samad’s Haitian-inspired boutique: “You are your own love story.” The eclectic shop carries a collection created by Samad and her mother, along with other pieces by Philadelphia artisans. The minimalist space also hosts monthly yoga classes, pop-up cosmetic shops and beading parties. With Boho-chic clothing and accessories, Fason De Viv wants to enable customers to “go confidently in the direction of your dreams.” 228 Arch Street, (215) 309-2275, fasondeviv.com
• Made Institute (Old City) – Created by an alumna of Drexel University’s highly regarded fashion design program and of Philadelphia-based Urban Outfitters, this modern atelier-sewing space offers all manner of services and classes to both beginner and advanced clothing creators. One-day workshops include fashion sketching and legging stitching while longer courses delve into designer development, graphics via Adobe Photoshop, and cocktail dress making. Monthly membership affords access to a professional sewing studio. 305 Cherry Street, 1^st floor, (855) MADE-PHL, made-phila.com
• Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens (South Street) – The building-size masterpiece and gallery of mosaic artist Isaiah Zagar is both a destination and a traffic-stopper along Center City’s southern edge. Visitors explore Zagar’s indoor-outdoor labyrinth of tile, mirror and found objects via self-guided tours six days a week and guided tours on weekends. But true fans enroll in the monthly outdoor workshop (available April through October) to learn the craft hands-on, from breaking and cutting tile to gluing and grouting the finished work. 1020 South Street, (215) 733-0390, phillymagicgardens.org
• The Clay Studio (Old City) – What began in 1974 as a necessary workspace for new art school grads has transformed into an art scene staple in Old City. The Clay Studio is a nonprofit educational institution offering shared pottery equipment, ceramics workshops such as “Intro to Wheel Throwing,” a children’s summer clay camp, drop-in classes and art exhibitions and sales. With offerings for the aficionado to the novice alike, Historic Philadelphia’s pottery place continues to fulfill its mission to “bring clay as an accessible, tactile medium to a broad range of people.” 137-139 N. 2^nd Street, (215) 925-3453, theclaystudio.org
• The Hacktory (University City) – Lifelong students head to this friendly space to build skills in 3D printing, programming and electronics, sewing machine basics and much more. Named after inelegant problem solving (hack) and a space for making things (factory), The Hacktory offers members, youths and drop-ins a world of opportunities for creative tinkering. Open houses Thursday evenings, 7-9 p.m. 3645-7 Lancaster Avenue, 1^st floor, (215) 650-7295, thehacktory.org

Spaces To Watch Makers Make:

Those in need of more inspiration for creation can easily find it in among the studio-galleries where the public is welcome to observe makers at work.

• Fabric Workshop and Museum (Market East/Chinatown) – Since 1977, the Fabric Workshop and Museum (FWM) has collaborated with potters, architects, graphic artists and videographers who use its facilities and equipment to create work in new materials and new media. FWM serves as a contemporary art museum that teaches vocational skills and creative expression to Philadelphia students through its apprenticeship program, while helping to support artists-in-residence programs, speakers and events. The public can tour the studios and attend events. 1214 Arch Street, (215) 561-8888, fabricworkshopandmuseum.org
• Neighborhood Potters (Fairmount) – Though Neil Patterson and Sandi Pierantozzi both work in clay and teach classes at their eco-friendly pottery shop and studio, their work is unmistakably individual. While Patterson’s Asian-inspired objects tend toward the monochromatic and classic, Pierantozzi’s work favors patterns and leans towards the festive. Despite their artistic disparities, they’re linked by the belief that clay “connects with people on a very basic human level” and brings “soul into the daily rituals of eating and drinking.” Open Saturday afternoons. 2034 Fairmount Avenue, (215) 236-1617, sandiandneil.com
• The Center for Art in Wood (Old City) – In the heart of Historic Philadelphia’s art gallery district, this non-profit gallery promotes awareness and appreciation for art in wood. The center acquires, preserves and displays functional and artistic works in wood and other materials and sponsors artists-in-residence and exhibitions. The permanent collection contains 1,000 pieces from around the world, and the library houses 25,000 images, files and books. On festival and other crafty days in Old City, the Center offers woodturning and sculpting demonstrations on the sidewalk outside its front door. 141 N. 3^rd Street, (215) 923-8000, centerforartinwood.org

VISIT PHILADELPHIA^® is our name and our mission. As the region’s official tourism marketing agency, we build Greater Philadelphia’s image, drive visitation and boost the economy.

On Greater Philadelphia’s official visitor website and blog, visitphilly.com and uwishunu.com, visitors can explore things to do, upcoming events, themed itineraries and hotel packages. Compelling photography and videos, interactive maps and detailed visitor information make the sites effective trip-planning tools. Along with Visit Philly social media channels, the online platforms communicate directly with consumers. Travelers can also call and stop into the Independence Visitor Center for additional information and tickets.