Trust

TRUST is a fantastic venue for events of all kinds. I went for a Johnnie Walker promotional party, and I was really impressed by the spacious, tasteful interior of the place. The bi-​level layout is really nice and creates a very classy, open ambience. I really hope to attend more events here.

A really nice old re-​use of what appears to have been a bank in a past life, for a gallery space. I was here last night for the Hidden City Unsilent Night which began and ended here. Unlike a lot of galleries, this one is truly spacious and can accommodate a big crowd without squoosing folks into each other. There are also a lot of levels, different sized interior walls, and the like to set off different sizes, shapes and pieces of art. My only issue (save for the awful Christmas carol music that was playing in the background immediately when the Unsilent Night performance piece ended, which to be honest I don’t know if someone in Trust or the crowd was playing it) is that the bathrooms seem to be tiny. I was in the womens and it was clean and cute, but was one stall, one sink, one person. If I had a big crowd in for an opening, all drinking and chatting, I’d think the lines might get a bit long and oppressive. So, pee before you attend. Other than that, lovely.

In my humble opinion, Old City is the Mecca for the Cultural Arts in Philadelphia! I attended the Philadelphia Salon’s Art Show on Friday, September 7, 2012, at the TRUST Building. I have attended many events at the TRUST, and can’t say enough about what a «perfect» backdrop this was for staging the Art Show, curated by Ellen Rohlfing. This event was everything you wanted in an exhibit: from meeting the engaging Director of Philadelphia Salon, Caryn Kunkle, to the diversity of the patrons & artists to the Art– which was mindful, innovative, Eco-​friendly and just Beautiful!
Caryn described what you would see as: «looking at: pop, funk, realist, big, small, traditional, back-​street, beautiful, industrial, hand-​made, brilliant LOCAL ART.
She did NOT disappoint me! Upstairs, there was a work depicting BANANAS, that was the highlight for me and others as well, I am sure. Covering an entire wall, each picture of what seemed like 100 bananas were framed as a portrait. Every one was different and designed from wrappers from every candy that existed during my childhood. The artist used the wrappers from every flavor Starburst EVER invented! I even got a little verklempt, when I saw the Mary Jane Banana. Oh, how I wish I still ate candy like that!
When the promotion, which I received via email said they would be offering «eyeball candy,» they delivered!
I don’t know… I see some partnering with the artist and Franklin Fountains known for their innovative Ice Cream flavors and their Homemade Candies, also residents of Old City! That’s a Million Dollar Idea, right there!
All in all, this was a genuine treat and an extreme departure from my arduous patronage to the Philadelphia Jazz Culture, coming very SOON to Old City on October 18^th! I have personally performed in the Trust Building with prominent Jazz Musicians, Mike Kennedy-​guitar & Tom Tallistch-​saxophone.
This building is right for just about anything! On September 7^th, it was perfect for the Philadelphia Salon! Great Job!

I absolutely love everything about this venue. It’s old world charm meets the ultra modern. It’s classic yet trendy. It’s simple but can easily be transformed into a work of art for any event which is ironic because it’s actually an Art Galley. It used to be a bank and for a period of time it was also home (or mansion) to MTV’s Real World Philadelphia reality TV show but they put millions of dollars in renovations back into it and it is now a huge gallery and venue.
I’ve been to many events here with friends and each one was a blast and extremely well managed. I am always surprised how different it looks every time I walk in since every event organizer uses different colors, lighting, furniture, flowers, decorations, draping, sound systems, etc.
Great place to host an event or if you’re luck, attend and event!

We were here for a Guinness event this week and it seemed like a neat space. We weren’t able to go upstairs to see some of the artwork, but overall as a venue it allowed for a nice set up. I imagine it would be a great place for drinks before a wedding reception/​Not sure if you’d have enough room to have the entire reception there, but some of the photos others have posted give you an idea of the layout.
I like the wall right by the doors that lets people traffic in, but should help keep out the bad weather for instance when the door is open.

This has to be one of the most unique wedding venues in Philadelphia. Beautiful, elegant and chic — the perfect wedding venue.

Since F.U.E.L. Collection has been closed off for a private party during 5 of the last 6 First Fridays that I’ve been to I was tempted to bring it down to a 4 as a reverse psychology attempt. But damn fairness, because F.U.E.L. has just had so many good offerings overall that it’s pretty hard to put it on the spot.
Overall F.U.E.L. has shown plenty of dynamic art displays that have always managed to stand out and make you think. and among every single art exhibit that I’ve been too The Red Bull Art Of Can, and puppy mill awarness exhibit that were shown here are two that are permanently etched among my top 10. And I can’t blame them for the party factor because it’s a place that utilizes it’s space so well. But I’ll still urge them to replace the stairway from hell.
So if anything this rewrite is an attempt to urge them to be open to the public during a few more First Fridays. Because there’s plenty more people that I aim to show it’s awesomeness to!

So this was another stop on the First Friday crawl I went with last month. I had no idea that this house was featured during the «Real World» and now houses a great gallery space. It’s a very clean and large space with hardwood floors and high ceilings. There’s security here just making sure there’s no clogging of entry or exit. The exhibits are really interesting here along with the people attending (there was a really neat exhibit with photographs of photographs with burned edges and another with politicians on other bodies). There’s booze while supplies last and pretty ample room to view the exhibits even though you may feel the space is crowded.
That stairwell from the first to second floor, AHH claustrophobia!

I’ll admit I’m a noob here, and I had never experienced first friday until last night. This is where I went. I had a blast! They had great selections and I saw some real talent there. The band they chose was great for the show as well.
As its been pointed out the space is absolutely gorgeous. It’s hard to put art in a place like this, because it definitely can draw attention away from it. I’d go back again for sure.

This places oozes scene. Thats okay though, its totally awesome. Great rotations of some awesome and not so awesome art work. On first friday they’ll serve you a beer while you check it all out. Go early to avoid the cramping on those tiny ass stairs. This is a beautiful space. Check it out.

Very excited to see the reincarnation of the once-​garrish MTV house. While a somewhat traditional white cube gallery, the historic elements of the former church (like marble mouldings and crystal chandelier) offset and enrich an otherwise spartan interior. further, these transitional bits also play on the work displayed, creating an interesting dialogue between space and subject.
Of course, F.U.E.L.‘s exhibitions are always fantastic and thoughtful. Check ‘em out every First Friday for the biggest party in Old City.

I saw the most exciting show of my entire stay in Philly (nearly two years) at FUEL. Gorgeous historic space in an old bank. More importantly, they support young artists. Get on their mailing list. Events here are always fun. And for those on a budget, you can get culture and a free drink or snack at openings. I’ve even caught some good music and discovered a band through this place.