BOK Newspaper Spring 2024

Celebrate with Bok

Whether it’s a wedding, birthday, or you’re just looking for a reason to dress up and eat cake, the Bok community has what you need to party as you please this season!

Remark Glass

Remark Glass is a zero waste glassblowing studio that transforms used bottles and jars into unique barware, tableware, and light fixtures. After your next party consider a Remark keepsake, where they can repurpose a special bottle from your event into a statement piece for your home, like a champagne bottle transformed into a serving bowl. Remark also has a Breaking Glass Bud Vase option, where they will provide the breaking glass for a chuppah and then melt the shards into a new vase.

remarkglass.com / @remarkglass

Texture Florals

Texture Florals is a floral studio centered on shaping designs for large-scale events, photo shoots, and experiential installations. Their work is influenced by a desire to create the unexpected with an emphasis on layering variety, color, and movement. Celebrating almost a decade in floral creations, Texture Florals continues to fine tune and evolve their vision and aesthetic with each new project.

textureflorals.com / @textureflorals

Irwin’s

Whether you’re looking to host a sit down dinner or an apero hour at the bar with snacks and sips, Irwin’s can curate your perfect personalized evening. Ranging from intimate groups of eight to a full restaurant buyout, the Irwin’s experience offers world class Sicilian cuisine from Chef Michael Vincent Ferreri, a stellar wine menu and cocktail program, and picturesque views over the rooftops of South Philly.

irwinsupstairs.com / @irwinsupstairs

Stover Ceramics

Megan Stover is a third generation potter and creates hand-carved functional wares. She works with clients to create custom pieces for their special events, such as lanterns that mimic the details of a wedding dress and oneof-a-kind dinner sets.

stoverceramics.com

@stoverceramics

Kinfolk Bride

The LAW Bridal

Designing gowns for clients with a clear and individual sense of style, The LAW brings a contemporary edge to minimalist bridal. Through their fresh, thoughtful designs, structure meets flow and timelessness meets modernity. All of The LAW’s pieces are designed and constructed in their Bok studio and are available to shop next door at Kinfolk Bride. thelawbridal.com @thelawbridal

Kinfolk Bride is a boutique bridal studio offering personalized, appointment-only shopping and styling. Founder Mayana Carter strives to create a unique bridal experience by showcasing a range of sustainable designers within her welcoming space. Committed to inclusivity and providing a luxe bridal experience, Kinfolk caters to soonto-be-wed individuals of varied personal styles, body sizes, and gender expressions. Proudly serving as the Philadelphia Flagship location for The Law Bridal (located in the studio next door!).

kinfolkbride.com / @kinfolkbride

Corinne Dodenhoff Creative

No party is complete without an equally cool invitation or graphic to match! Corinne Dodenhoff Creative is a one-woman boutique graphic design agency delivering high quality, beautifully designed graphics with a quick turnaround. Fun fact: Corinne also co-owns the vintage shop Noni, located in the WKSHP!

Minimal Chaos

Minimal Chaos is a textile studio that specializes in handcrafted treasures, ranging from vintage rugs to bespoke accessories. Every piece carries a unique narrative of craftsmanship and heritage. Elevate your special day by renting one of their exquisite rugs, infusing a personalized touch of charm into your wedding, photoshoot, or private event.

corinnedodenhoff.com / @corinnedodenhoffcreative

minimalchaos.pink @shop.minimalchaos

Photo by Melissa Habeggar

Days Away Creative

Days Away Creative is a wedding photography studio focused on timeless photos and extraordinary experiences. Postevent, each couple is invited to the Days Away studio for their Reveal Celebration: a party where their wedding images are showcased in printed art galleries and projected slide shows.

daysawaycreative.com

@DaysAwayCreative

Pet Riso Studio

Pet Riso Studio is an artist run risograph print shop located in the WKSHP. They print editions of prints, posters, and invites— basically anything on paper they’ll print! The risograph’s graphic and colorful style is perfect for creating unique and eye catching works of art for your next event.

petrisostudio.com

Sweetwater Portraits

The Deacon

The Deacon is an invisible service hotel and event space located in Graduate Hospital (with operations based right here at Bok!). Offering a thoughtfully-curated guest experience, the Deacon is designed for a diverse set of occasions and gatherings, from corporate events to intimate weddings to creative projects.

thedeaconphl.com / @deaconphl

Fringe Salon

Fringe Salon is a boutique hair salon and art gallery located on the fifth floor focused on textured hair and wash-n-go styles. Fringe is available for occasion styling, from prom to weddings, or just your next big party! Fun fact: In addition to hair artistry, Fringe supports community art and is always featuring local artists in their rotating art gallery.

fringesalonsouthphilly.com

@fringesalonsouthphilly

Celebrate with Bok

Merryweather Films

Merryweather Films is a boutique wedding and event production company that specializes in making once-in-a-lifetime occasions into one-of-akind keepsakes. Merryweather loves the challenge of capturing moments without interrupting them, transforming memories into elegant, cinematic videos that couples want to revisit again and again.

merryweatherfilms.com

@merryweatherfilms

Revival Letterpress

Sweetwater Portraits is known for their natural wedding photography and unique Super8 films. Super8 is shot on vintage 1960s cameras and has a nostalgic, intimate vibe, perfect if you’re looking for that raw, “home-movie” film of your wedding day. Sweetwater’s documentary-style approach, coupled with their fine art background, results in authentic, joyful images that feel effortless.

sweetwaterportraits.com

@sweetwaterportraits

Second Daughter Baking Co.

Run by two sisters, Second Daughter specializes in whimsical and abstract baked goods and exceptional wedding cakes. You can expect a diverse color palette and flavor abundance—their frosting is literally in our dreams! Second Daughter’s seasonal blooms are sourced from local floral shops, and their flavor pairings mix classic flavors with new, approachable ones, like lavender and chocolate.

seconddaughterbakingco.com

@seconddaughterbakingco

If you’re aiming to elevate your event invitation, turn to Revival Letterpress—a print and design studio that specializes in fine letterpress stationery and custom invitations. Pairing the ingenuity of turnof-the-century cast iron machinery with modern design aesthetics and technology, Revival seamlessly combines high-quality materials with the precision of hand craftsmanship, ensuring exquisite print work for your special occasion.

revivalletterpress.com / @revivalletterpress

Celebrate @ Bok!

We love to celebrate meaningful moments in our community members’ lives, big or small!

From intimate gatherings like dinner parties, workshops, and athletic events, to larger happenings like corporate retreats, movie screenings, performances, and of course weddings, the spaces at Bok can be tailored to fit your needs.

For details, visit buildingbok.com/events

For weddings, visit bokwed.com

Design: Avery Sohn Photo: Jessica Perez Wedding Photographer

Grab markers, pencils, or paints, and help bring the colorful world of Bok to life! How many building friends can you spot?

Illustration by James Dybvig

The Busy World of Bok

A long-time community member, animation director and illustrator James Dybvig knew just how to capture his friends, fellow makers, and more into one lively illustration.

How did you approach illustrating the building?

I started by having a minor freak out. I have so much love for the building, I wanted to do it justice. So I avoided thinking about it for as long as I could, and in a frenzied weekend near the deadline, I started pumping out sketches. I sent those sketches to my Bok buddy Mike Smith and the Bok team for feedback. They both provided me with great direction and input, and I carried on from there.

Where did you get inspiration for your illustration from?

I got inspiration for the illustration from the tenants and the Art Deco style of the architecture of the building itself. I also absorbed ideas from various isometric illustrations I found on the internet.

What was the best and the hardest thing about this project?

The best thing about this project was hearing from people in the building that they liked it. The hardest thing about this project was trying to fit as much as I could into it. Sorry if I left you out!

What other projects are you working on right now?

I just finished animating on Season 2 of a PBS Kids show called 'City Island'. Now, I'm animating on a short animated film that stars an expired can of Tuna and her luxury handbag best friend, Susan.

ajamesd.com / @jamesdybvig

James in his studio.

Bling in Spring

From delicate occasion pieces to playful statement wares, sparkle this spring in jewelry made right here at Bok!

Kate Dannenberg

Ovalavo earrings, $165 @katedannenberg

The Tiny Jeweler

Custom 14K gold Cherry Blossom ring, contact for pricing @thetinyjeweler

Echo Metals

Sunburst sterling silver hinged bracelet, $475 @echometals

t.kahres jewelry

Sterling silver razor studs with black diamonds, $255 @tkahresjewelry

Ellyse Bendillo

Maria Eife

Donut Grid Pendant, $375 @mariaeife

Bevy of Objects 14K rose gold and opal star ring, $285 @bevyofobjects

Adinikra Symbol Bracelet, large, $360 @amazuluphilly

Amazulu Collections

Studio Bladel

Earrings, $20-$35 @studio_bladel

Pair-o-Sardines earrings, $180 @enamellyse

Dance Your Heart Out with Ñuuxakun

Dance group Ñuuxakun is bringing music, smiles, and Mexican heritage to the Bok community and beyond.

What is Ñuuxakun about?

Ñuuxakun is a community group created by the Mexicanos in Philadelphia Initiative and Philatinos Media’s community work groups. It is about practicing and promoting Mexican

culture through folk dance, childrens acting workshops, and a promotion of reading under the direction of Teacher Andrea Garcia Espinal.

Who is Ñuuxakun for?

It is for the whole family, from participants 5 years old and up, who are able to practice Mexican Folklorico dancing, participate in presentations, and participate as a family in activities.

What makes Ñuuxakun special?

Since its beginnings in July 2022, Ñuuxakun has created a coexistence between families and a commitment to promoting Mexican culture with the main objective being the care and development of children in a family environment.

What have been some of your most memorable performances?

Just 4 months after starting Ñuuxakun, we had our first presentation at a community festival. The excitement of children and their parents was the most beautiful thing. By 2023, we had more than 15 performances, all of which were important—they were at the Penn Museum as hosts

Lights, Camera, Action in Hella Vista Studios

We caught up with Colin Comstock who is seeking to make media communal with his new rentable studio space at Bok, Hella Vista Studios.

What is Hella Vista Studios all about?

Hella Vista is a resource for the creative community, where any video or photo shoot becomes a fun experience from start to finish. We want to provide a clean, professional space where people can make cool stuff as painlessly as possible with nearly everything they could need right at their fingertips. We have flexible rental equipment packages, dedicated amenity spaces, and a killer view of South Philly.

What inspired you to start

Hella Vista Studios?

Previously it was a personal studio space for my production company Arsenal Mediaworks, but with the shifting landscape of content production, I decided to turn it into a public rental space. There

are a lot of great studios in Philly, but not many that are medium-sized, sound-treated, and have dedicated amenity spaces like dressing rooms or private production offices.

What makes the space so special?

Our studio is located in the former bandroom of the school and has a ton of character. We worked with woodworker and artist Joleen Abbinante (Sawdust Eyes) to create an inspiring space. The fact that we are in Bok and people can bop around the building before or after a shoot and meet with other creatives here makes it truly one-of-a-kind.

Who is Hella Vista Studios for?

of the Guelaguetza, at a presentation of seven dance groups from the region, and at the opening of an Opera recital in the Bok Auditorium.

What do you like about being in the Bok community?

Our main objective is to live together and share our learning experiences with the community. In June 2023, we performed at the B[L]OK Party and hung out with local residents enjoying the cozy atmosphere at Bok, a place we hold dear. For several months, we utilized the auditorium for rehearsals, and now we have found a welcoming home in Mural Arts’ space at Bok. It’s a small space, but it means a lot to us as it allows us to carry out our activities comfortably, and we particularly appreciate the sense of security that Bok provides.

How can people support Ñuuxakun?

As it is a community initiative, we do not have funds to operate, so we accept donations of any amount! ⮑

Where can we see a Ñuuxakun performance this spring?

On April 28 we will be in the Puebla Carnival, and a community event on May 5. Ñuuxakun accepts invitations to participate in presentations so that children can see the effort of their work.

nuuxakun.org

What you do like about being a part of the Bok community?

The space is well suited for video, photo, and podcast shoots, but we also can host events and screenings. On the video-side specifically, it’s perfect for teleprompter reads, direct-to-camera addresses, product shoots, and interviews. It’s pre-lit and pre-wired to be able to livestream quickly and easily.

When I came to the building in 2018 it almost had a college dorm feel—tenants popping in and out of each other’s spaces or grabbing beers on the roof after work. In a post-pandemic world, it’s a little different but the spirit remains. You might find yourself in a conversation with someone in a completely different line of work than you, but you both still find commonalities in the challenges and advantages of trying to carve out a life as a creative. I wouldn’t want to work anywhere else. hellavistastudios.com / @hellavistastudios

Ñuuxakun performs at the 2023 B[L]OK Party at Bok.

What’s Next

She Leads Advocacy Summit

Saturday, March 30

Girls Inc. of Greater Philadelphia & Southern New Jersey invites K-12 girls to gather during Women’s History Month for their 4th Annual She Leads Advocacy Summit taking place in Bok’s West Gym. The event encourages girls to use their voices, engage in the community, and advocate for themselves around issues of their choosing. Please consider joining for an unforgettable day of honest discussion, education, and pro-girl activism.

Opening Day at Bok Bar

Thursday, April 11

Everyone’s favorite seasonal rooftop bar is coming back with the warm weather in tow! Perched atop the 8th floor of Bok, it’s the only bar in the city where you can get panoramic views spanning from West Philly to South Jersey. This season Bok Bar has a full menu of cocktails, wine, craft beers, and zero-proof options. Stay tuned for their rotating month-long chef residencies and robust calendar of events and activities all summer long. Kick off the season from 5:00pm-10:00pm with drinks and bites.

Open Studios

Friday, May 3

From 6:00pm-9:00pm, all 9 floors of the Bok building will be activated, and we invite visitors to explore our hallways and meet our community! Bring your friends and family to this free event where you can learn more about the history and evolution of the Bok building, plus shop, sip, and engage with tenants new and old.

Illustrations

Open

Cover photo Irwin’s by Melissa Habeggar