Inside the Parkway's Art Cave | Morning Edition

A New Week in Philly: Calder Gardens and Changing Work Habits

Welcome to a new week in Philadelphia. As the city continues to evolve, there are several stories shaping the local scene that are worth exploring. From a groundbreaking art space to shifts in workplace culture, here’s what you need to know.

Calder Gardens: A Subversive Art Space

Calder Gardens is set to open its doors to the public soon, and it’s already generating excitement among locals and art enthusiasts alike. The site, dedicated to the work of sculptor Alexander Calder, offers a unique experience that contrasts sharply with traditional art spaces. Unlike the towering mobiles typically seen in galleries, Calder Gardens invites visitors to descend into an underground space that feels more like a hidden sanctuary than a conventional exhibition hall.

Architecture critic Inga Saffron has praised the design, calling it “strikingly subversive” and noting how it challenges the expectations of what an art space along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway should look like. The garden and pavilion work together to create a dynamic, living version of an Impressionist painting, transforming an otherwise unremarkable stretch of urban landscape into something visually captivating.

The public opening is scheduled for September 21, and those interested in experiencing this innovative space can look forward to a fresh perspective on modern art and architecture.

Workplace Trends: Leaving Earlier Than Before

In a shift that reflects broader changes in work culture, Philadelphia workers are leaving their offices earlier than they used to. According to a report by commercial real estate company JLL, employees are now departing 12 minutes earlier on average compared to pre-pandemic levels. In 2019, the average departure time was 5:17 p.m., but this year, it has moved to 5:05 p.m.

This trend has not gone unnoticed by SEPTA, which has observed an increase in ridership during the earlier hours of the evening rush. While this change may signal a shift in work habits, it doesn’t necessarily mean that employees are working fewer hours. Instead, it could reflect a growing preference for flexibility and a better work-life balance.

Business reporter Ariana Perez-Castells has more on this evolving trend and its implications for the future of office culture in the city.

Other News You Should Know

• Two children were shot in separate incidents in Northeast Philadelphia on Saturday, according to police reports.
• The Bustleton post office was renamed Sunday in honor of Temple University Police Sgt. Christopher David Fitzgerald, who was killed while on duty in February 2023.
• A national Democratic group is making a significant investment in Pennsylvania Supreme Court retention elections, highlighting the growing importance of these usually low-profile contests.
• The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers has reached a new contract, though less than half of its members participated in the vote, with over 2,000 voting against it.
• Rural hospitals in Pennsylvania tested a new payment model over the past five years, with mixed results in terms of financial stability.
• John Berkery, a leader of the Northeast Philly Irish Mob known for the 1959 "Pottsville Heist," has died at the age of 91.
• Opera Philadelphia is seeking $33 million to build a stable cash reserve and support artistic projects, including its popular $11 ticket program.
• Despite a quiet night at the Emmys, Hannah Einbinder’s Eagles chant brought some local flavor to the event.

What’s Happening in Philly Today

• The Mexican Independence Day Festival celebrated Mexico’s vibrant culture and heritage, with attendees describing it as an act of resistance amid increasing attacks on Latino and immigrant communities.
• Readers are invited to share their “only in Philly” stories, with one submission from Michael Thomas Leibrandt highlighting the generational love for the Eagles.

Trivia Time

With Gov. Phil Murphy’s signing of a bipartisan bill into law last week, which of these is now legal in New Jersey?

A) Dogs on beaches year-round
B) Serving food in weed lounges
C) $17 minimum wage
D) Human composting

Think you know? Check your answer.

What We’re Watching

• Mapping: Local spots seen in Task, episode two.
• Eager for: The Phillies to clinch the National League East title.
• Not getting resos at: A Philly eatery named to Bon Appetit’s best new restaurants list.
• Intrigued by: An Ardmore ceramic artist who turns loved ones’ ashes into custom objects.
• Considering: What Citizenship Day means to America’s immigrants.

Unscramble the Anagram

Hint: A township in Chester County
DRIFTY FERN

Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.

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