WHEREAS, Camac Street, a small street with great historical significance is located a mere block and a half east of the Avenue of the Arts; and
WHEREAS, Since the 1800's, Camac Street has housed the Philadelphia Sketch Club, the oldest art organization in America. The Philadelphia Sketch Club has included as members such luminaries as N.C. Wyeth, Maxfield Parrish and Alexander Calder; Thomas Eakins taught classes twice weekly in 1874. Today, the Club continues its mission of promoting the creation and appreciation of fine art by perpetuating the oldest club in the country run by artists; and
WHEREAS, The Plastic Club, the oldest women's art club in America, was established in 1897 on Camac Street. This club holds weekly workshops and regularly schedules art exhibits that are open to the public. The building located at 247 Camac Street is on the National and local Registers of Historic Sites; and
WHEREAS, In addition to the fine arts, the dramatic arts are also represented on Camac Street by the Barrymore Apartments. This building was the first home of the famous theatrical family; and
WHEREAS, It should be further noted that under Camac Street is a tunnel that is believed to have been used to hide slaves moving north on the Underground Railroad; now therefore
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the 200 block of South Camac Street be designated as Avenue of the Artists in recognition of the role that the arts have played on this street both historically and currently, with appropriate signage to be placed below the existing street signs.
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