firstlook

Photo By: Michael T. Regan

When Philadelphians think "art gallery," Old City and its First Friday booze-and-browse fest come to mind.

by A.D. Amorosi

When Philadelphians think "art gallery," Old City and its First Friday booze-and-browse fest come to mind. But throughout the ’60s and ’70s, the Rittenhouse area was where art got made and sold. If it’s up to painter and teacher Perry Milou, that will be the case again, as he adds gallery owner to his list of credits with the opening of his eponymous salon at 18th and Sansom. Milou, a Haverford-born "pop impressionist," made a name for himself not only with the paintings of sports heroes and local landmarks that he’d transfer into money-making poster art, but by creating all of his work outdoors -- in front of stores, in the Square -- where people could see him. For Milou, 35, art is a social act. Having associated with galleries in Old City (where he lives), he found that market lacking. "Nothing came of my time in Old City galleries. I see the retail action and there’s not any shopping traffic. I’m convinced the galleries don’t make much money down there. First Friday became a pub crawl, kids looking for a free drink. The shoppers who spend money are downtown."

Milou has moved into the former Rindelaub's bakery and coffee shop. Their sign's still up, sharing a sand-colored front with Milou's own brushed-aluminum-framed window. Inside, while the gallery serves as Milou's personal showcase, it also houses work from other artists like Thomas DellaPenna, Charles Cushing, Myron Wasserman (whose mobiles hang like monoliths from the gallery's high ceilings) and Milou's mom, Angel. Milou wants his gallery to be a space for emerging artists and student artists -- especially those whose work is dedicated to Philadelphia iconography. Milou promises to be on premises 99 percent of the time painting, teaching children's classes or hosting cocktail parties. "It's important I'm here. People can see me as they go by, which is important because Philadelphians have tunnel vision. Unless you're out there and smacking them in the face with something they've never seen before, they walk on by. They won't be able to miss me."

Perry Milou Gallery, 128 S. 18th St., 215-568-3380.