When we launched our Unexpected Philadelphia website this summer, we included behind-the-scenes tours of 5 wildly imaginative homes belonging to our fellow Dumpster Divers – that merry band of found-object artists and collectors who have exhibited, socialized and produced up-cycled art together since 1992.

Today, we’re adding a photo tour of the fun and fabulous home of George Felice, who joined the Divers in their very first year.

(The  Divers’ 2014 annual awards banquet at Philly’s Famous 4th Street Deli – and, yes, that’s us at the far left and George at the top center.  Photo by I. George Bilyk)

DIVER IN WONDERLAND

Raised in Germantown by South Philadelphia parents, George has been a professional photographer, art and antiques dealer, doo-wop festival producer, Western store and menswear manager, and community volunteer and fund-raiser, but he is primarily and passionately a collector – starting with doo wop records, model cars, reindeer sweaters and vintage clothes in his youth…

(George’s 1955 Seeburg jukebox is still packed with original doo-wop 45s.)

…then passing on to everything from French Revival antiques and rustic twig furniture….

(A naked mannequin relaxes amid a bounty of twig chairs, tables, plant
stands and smoking stands on George’s front porch.)

…to fine art and photography…

(Two large-scale works by Philadelphia conceptual photographer
Eileen Neff.  And, no, don’t try to sit on that armchair.)

…to international folk art and works by self-taught American artists…

(An early – and unusual – Howard Finster painting combines three of George’s favorite art-collecting themes:  untrained artists, religious content, and text.)

And that doesn’t count his collections of kitschy vintage seashell crafts, Art Deco and ’50s items, and more.

(BTW — Did we mention that George is a collector…?)

THROUGH A DESIGNER’S EYE

Does it all work together? Absolutely, thanks to George’s well-developed eye as a professional photographer, CD cover designer, and creator of whimsical window displays for Philadelphia’s former Rosebud specialty department store.

TIME FOR A HOUSE TOUR…

So step into George’s fabulous 1906 Overbrook Farms home here for the complete tour.  We’ll even tell you about this odd (and fairly ominous) machine…

(George at home. Doesn’t everyone have one
of these in their living room?)

And look for more great Philadelphia house tours in coming months.   Enjoy!