Pockets Of Light: About
Artists Statement
In order to grow, we all need a little light. The Delaware River Waterfront Trail provides just that—for both people and nature. Through a series of hand- and machine-stitched artworks made from post-consumer materials, mixed media textile artist Julie “Juicebox” Woodard depicts native flowering plants found along the Delaware River as well as the river itself. On four public piers (Race Street, Cherry Street, Washington Avenue, and Pier 68), these flower installations are accompanied by site-specific interactive activities created by experience designer Eric The Puzzler. Through eye-catching artwork, unique puzzles, local natural history, and participation prizes, the creators aim to augment the nurturing effects of the waterfront and help locals and visitors alike forge a deeper connection with their surroundings.
Julie “Juicebox” Woodard
Using salvaged textiles, artist Julie Woodard creates wearable pieces and impressionistic landscapes that convey her passion for nature, memory, and creative reuse. Her process incorporates elements of collage, appliqué, embroidery, quilting, painting, and sculpture. The "juice" is the joy Julie seeks to create and the "box" is her platform for storytelling and advocacy. A self-proclaimed 'doula of discarded things,' all of her Pockets Of Light artwork is made from post-consumer waste. From realistic soft sculptures to abstract collages, each piece is designed to bring a little light to your day.
Eric The Puzzler
Eric Dale is an experience designer who creates unique puzzling adventures that help you explore. From escape rooms built into the real world to free public space activations like Pockets Of Light, Eric designs experiences—often centered around art—that encourage you to look more closely at the world around you. He believes that serendipitous puzzles can make anything more magical, and is currently working on a seriously challenging public treasure hunt.
Delaware River Waterfront Corporation
The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC) is a 501(c)(3) created in January 2009, exclusively for the benefit of the City of Philadelphia and its citizens. The fundamental purpose of DRWC is to design, develop, program, and maintain public amenities such as permanent and seasonal parks, trails, and streetscape improvements to transform the waterfront into a vibrant destination for recreational, cultural, and commercial activities for the residents and visitors of Philadelphia as is consistent with the goals of the Master Plan for the Central Delaware. Daily programming throughout the entire year is changing the way Philadelphians see and converse about the waterfront and is helping to create spaces and communities that connect residents and visitors to the waterfront.
DRWC’s Waterfront Arts Program adds a “cultural layer” to the 2011 Master Plan for the Central Delaware, resulting in a clearly defined vision for locating art outside of traditional venues and expanding cultural experiences along the Waterfront. The goal is to activate the Waterfront with high-quality, innovative public and performance art that establishes the Delaware River Waterfront as a cultural destination for the City of Philadelphia.
© 2023 Eric Dale Creative LLC and Julie Woodard