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Museums across the metro area nearly always include wood pieces among their exhibits. I’ve seen wooden chairs in unexpected groupings at The Barnes, vibrant color woodcuts at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and Japanese-style masterpieces at the Michener Art Museum. And, yet, I had never really given much thought to wood—specifically—as a medium for art until I stepped into the Museum for Art in Wood in Old City.
The two-story space that houses the specialty museum is fully dedicated to showing the artistry and creativity of people working with wood in different forms. At nearly 40 years old, the museum has a long history of shining a light on emerging artists and educating the public about wood turning (literally, carving, sanding, or cutting wood while it turns).
Temporary exhibits
Like most museums, the Museum for Art in Wood features temporary exhibits that change several times a year. The first floor is the featured exhibit space, which held artist Katie Hudnall’s The Longest Distance between Two Points during my visit.
Hudnall calls her work “furniture-ish” and had lots of surprising pieces. One was designed to spin a falling maple seed to the floor and another included a system of pulleys that allowed eyes to watch you open a box filled with maple seeds. Not everything featured seeds, however. One work called “The Herd” included boxes designed to look like deer that came to Hudnall in a dream.
The works were all a bit absurd (in a good, artistic way) and brilliantly designed. They were also interactive, which was confusing considering the presence of signage asking visitors not to touch the works.
I found out after my visit that I could have asked someone at the front desk for a demonstration. I’m not sure if I overlooked information saying that was possible or if it was unclear to everyone. Either way, if something about the exhibit you’re viewing seems unclear, it may be best to ask. I missed out.
Highlights from the permanent collection
Upstairs, a smaller area features rotating selections from the museum’s permanent collection, which includes over 1300 pieces. Since only a portion is displayed at any given time, there’s always something new to discover. The collection spans sculptures, works on paper, furniture, and decorative art.
Many of the wood artworks are organized by theme and presented in display cases. The themes range from works by immigrant artists to toy objects. There was everything from a traditional Nutcracker among the whimsical objects to an outstanding painted maple bowl whose edges were carved into the shape of a skyline by Vietnamese artist Binh Pho.
Several of my favorite pieces were larger than life, and not being behind glass made them even more captivating to examine up close. Two standouts included the towering La Dama Flamenca who stands 9 feet tall and a bold, oversized bust of a man simply called Allen. Without the glass it was easy to admire the incredible detail and craftsmanship that went into each work.
Part of the upper level is dedicated to a curated selection from the permanent collection. Recent features included “Strange Woodcraft” – weird and eerie pieces that kind of made my skin crawl – and “Cinders,” a group featuring charred and scorched wood. Both offered a unique look at unexpectedly beautiful items under themes that challenged my expectations.
Is visiting worth it?
The exhibits at the Museum for Art in Wood are imaginative and thought-provoking. I saw lots of different works that piqued my curiosity and made me think about wood as an artistic medium in a different way. I would definitely recommend visiting, even if you’re not a lover of traditional art museums.
How to visit
The museum is located at 141 N. 3rd Street. It is open Wednesday through Sunday 12-5pm. Admission is free, but donations are accepted.
Looking for more things nearby? The museum is about a 5-minute walk from both Elfreth’s Alley, America’s oldest residential street, and Christ Church Burial Ground, the final resting place of Benjamin Franklin. If those don’t fit the bill, check out some of the other attractions we like in the neighborhood. If you’re hungry, Cafe Ole next door is perfect for a quick bite, or head to Panorama for great Italian dining in a more formal environment.