Last month,  we told you about our upcoming 25th anniversary celebration for the Philadelphia Dumpster Divers.

The Divers are that spirited band of found-object artists and friends (photographers,  painters,  a poet and more) whose homes and studios we’ve documented on our  “Unexpected Philadelphia” website.

A 1990s rogue’s gallery of (semi-)dressed-up Divers….

….and their understated 2015 look.  (Both photos by I. George Bilyk,  front row with bow tie)

VISIT  THE  DIVER  EXHIBIT….

Starting Friday, October 6  –  and every Friday and Saturday in October from 6-9 pm  –  we’ll host  “DUMPSTER DIVERSions”,   a free  exhibit of the Divers’ found-object art assemblages,  collages,  paintings,  photography and more in our South Philadelphia studio on the corner of E. Passyunk Avenue and Tasker Street.   (Check back for details next week.)

Found-object work by Divers Sally Willowbee,  Lion Studio,  and Jim Ulrich.   (Photos courtesy of the artists.)

….AND  DON’T  MISS  OUR  WINDOW  SHOW

Following our “everyday’s a holiday” tradition,  we’ll also light up South Philadelphia’s Singing Fountain corner by placing 26 oversized Diver portraits in our windows….

Six “Dumpster Divas”  who will grace our lighted windows:  Clockwise from top left are Charmaine Caire,  Charna Eisner,  Toni Nash,  Sally Willowbee,  Leslie Stuart Matthews and Eva Aanya Preston

THE  CELEBRATION  STARTS  NOW!

But there’s no need to wait ’til October 6:   Today we’re kicking off the 25th anniversary festivities with an online photo directory showing almost four dozen Dumpster Divers and their work….

Now showing in our Diver directory:   Work by  (clockwise from top left)  Charmaine Caire,  Gretchen Altabef,  Kim Alsbrooks and Harry Anderson

Simply  head to our  “Unexpected Philadelphia”  website and check out our two-part,  alphabetical Diver exhibit by clicking either here (Part 1) or here (Part 2). 

DIVE  RIGHT  IN

When you arrive there,  simply click on any thumbnail image to page through larger versions of all the photos.   For each Diver,  you’ll see a mini-bio and portrait….

Randall Cleaver moved to Maryland,  but he’s always in the Divers’ hearts – and in our South Philly exhibit and online photo directory.   (All Randall Cleaver photos courtesy of the artist.)

…followed by two photo collages of their work….

Randall’s imaginative timepieces and lamps are unmitigated fun.  And,  yes,  two of his  unlikely cuckoo clocks are already chirping in our gallery

SEE  YOU  SOON!

So have fun exploring our two-part Dumpster Diver photo directory,  and visit 15 creative Diver homes while you’re there.

We’ll be back here next week to show you photos of our lighted Dumpster Diver windows and to tell you more about our October 6 opening night!

And,  yes,  we hope you’ll come and bring a friend….

Diver Burnell Yow!  with a new recruit

Kate & Dave