Circle of Gems

It was truly an honor to be invited to jury and curate the Fellowship of PAFA’s Annual Exhibition. PAFA has provided their artists with a stellar education in creativity, expression and technique, unmatched to other artistic institutions. I have juried and curated many shows before, but I knew this assignment would be tough. How would I manage such a diverse collection in my gallery?
 

Box Spring Gallery opened in June of 2024, and is a tiny, perfect cube of a space. People have referred to it as a little jewel box. The gallery has exhibited a wide variety of disciplines, including artwork by PAFA alum. Looking around the space, it’s no doubt that this year’s Fellowship exhibition presents itself as a special Circle of Gems. The experience only validated the concept.
 

A circle embodies so much inherent power as the simplest of things. Aside from the geometric definition, a circle is described as intrinsically divine. It represents life cycles, perpetual motion, and infinity. In this case it represents unity, wholeness, and community— as in the mantra of the Fellowship, “Artists Helping Artists.”

Thanks to Barbara Sosson, President and the Fellowship Board for putting your trust in me to jury and exhibit these wonderful artworks. There are so many gems in this jewel box!

Gaby Heit

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About Box Spring Gallery:
Celebrating where art and design meet, Box Spring Gallery provides carefully curated exhibitions with opportunities to purchase contemporary art and design by a variety of creatives. Box Spring Gallery aims to be an outlet for new audience visibility, educational exchange and cross-disciplinary discourse. Our main goals are to provide creatives with opportunities, guidance, and to educate the consumer public. We strive to show a wide range of creative discipline, innovation and purpose, and look to collaborate with likeminded partners.

Gaby Heit is an art/photo director, graphic designer and creative consultant with a master’s degree from Pratt Institute. A four-time gallery director and independent curator, Gaby has represented artists from Philadelphia and New York, and has produced numerous exhibitions that celebrate connections between fine art, science, and design. With many years of experience in print publishing, she has led the creative direction, rebranding and design for national magazines covering fashion, travel, women’s services, business, and fine art. Also an advocate for accessibility, Gaby worked as the curator for Art Ability, the largest collection of artwork by people with disabilities in the nation. Her most recent project was to open Philadelphia’s Box Spring Gallery in June of 2024, and she regularly consults with all kinds of creatives on presentation, organization and self-promotion.