Within the Philadelphia area, there is a culture of adoration towards all things artistic. Whether it be murals, galleries or pop-up events, there are many ways to explore creativity. One place that is local to us Eastern students is called Jedidiah Design Store, which is located in the King of Prussia mall. This incredible space offers original artwork available in-house and online that reflects the unique visions of each artist. There are pieces available that range from canvas originals and prints all the way to handmade artisan jewelry.
The founder of this gallery’s name is Enzhao Liu, and he also has artwork for sale. He is an artist currently located in West Philadelphia, and his work showcases a playful use of bright color that accentuates the natural wonders of nature. His subject matter is a complex amalgamation of jewels, birds, and fantastical depictions of the spirit as it exists in the world. Liu caters to the local population by utilizing a space in such an accessible area. Many people who are passing through the mall have a chance to glance through the window and be interested in what catches their eye. It is essential for artists like Liu to establish spaces in the community, because it fosters a connection between the artistic world and the people who don’t quite know where to begin. The space also offers events, such as community art classes and DIY house date nights. Many artistic spaces serve only the top 10%, but Liu claims that he wants to increase the public awareness towards art by exposing them to it in a way they would enjoy.
There are so many unique artists who have their work in the gallery. One example is work sold in both original and print form by Mary P. Engel. Her work is reminiscent of the simplistic childhood experience, while also featuring complex emotional messages. Her most notable series is called “Sadness Rabbit,” which draws upon themes of the tragic loss of her son, Dylan. She includes a bible verse within each of her paintings and sees this as an outlet for her emotions. Additionally, there is Michon Proctor, who is the creator of cute alien-like creatures, called intergalactic space bears. She is inspired by metaphysics, science, bold color choices, math and spirituality. These creatures that she has created exist in stuffed-animal form, as well as paintings and drawings.
These are just a few of the many artists who showcase their creations in Jedidiah Design Store. This space, its location and its artists serve the community by catering to everyone, rather than the most elite in the art scene. The prices of the art range and are affordable for people to purchase. This is a favorable aspect of the store, because it continues to fund independent artists and their creative process. Instead of buying a poster on Amazon or having AI generate an image of the exact thing you want, there are artists living among all of us that can use their special skills to make distinctive pieces. This is why spaces similar to Jedidiah are key to developing the artistic culture of an area. By interacting with real artists and building relationships, we all become more inclined towards the imaginative.
