Author: Helen Bradley
Artist Spotlight | KEITH WARREN GREIMAN
Keith Warren Greiman is an illustrator who pays tribute to the character and beauty of Philadelphia’s neighborhoods in their work.
From incredible prints to iconic shirts like “I Love the Sixers (because I hate myself)”, Keith really embodies the spirit of Philadelphia, through and through.
Check out their ode to the Memphis Taproom below and follow them on IG for more.
- Ink: CMYK
- Paper: Hahnemühle Photo Rag Ultra Smooth
Meet Paul.
Paul is a lot of things: the co-owner of Fireball; a fierce advocate for East Kensington and the surrounding community; the mastermind behind WEIRDO; and a cool dad (Happy Father’s Day!). He’s also an artist with an incredible ability to bring his dreams — no matter how wild, weird, or wondrous — into reality.
Even before his days of printing show flyers in the dining room of his apartment on Front Street (if you saw a flyer for the Barbary circa 2008, that’s likely where it came from), Paul was committed to making art accessible and inspiring for as many humans as possible.
Breaking down the barriers of typical art shows, Paul created BIG ART SHOW, a traveling collective of creators and performers who travelled to cities across the US, making space for artists of any skill, medium, and age to share their work, come together, and amplify their voices.
Since then, Paul has found ways to continue that work, with a greater focus on East Kensington and the surrounding neighborhoods. WEIRDO brings together thousands of people each year and is a love letter to the community that Paul, his family, and their business call home.
If you see him at Fireball, or anywhere, really, stop and say hi. Possible sure-fire conversation starters include: David Byrne, Twin Peaks, Gumby, pizza, city gardening, and ice cream.
Pride Feature | Artist Spotlights
The LGBTQIA+ community in Philadelphia makes our city great and far more beautiful.
We feature queer artists all year, but every June we spotlight
our current faves to amplify their voices.
Click the name on their image to explore their work and support them.
Sophie Czark Lee
Sophie is an artist, designer, and filmmaker based in Bushwick. She has a passion for vintage ephemera, making things with her hands, and cult classics from the 80s. In her art practice, Sophie focuses primarily on digital illustrations, incorporating her love for journaling and graphic design.
Yamz World
Denver-based Artist Brayan Montes-Terrazas is better known by his alias YAMZ. Under YAMZ, Brayan’s unwavering identity-driven art stresses the importance of putting marginalized voices at the forefront of our conversations and the stories he tells.
Juliette Boulay
Juliette Boulay is an indie music photographer currently residing and creating in Philadelphia, PA. Juliette explores music spaces, drawing inspiration from familial loss, the warmth of the music community, and the primordial soup of a sold out show.
German Ayala Vazquez
German is a photographer and visual artist. His primary aim is to illuminate and uplift the narratives and experiences of BIPOC LGBTQIA+ individuals worldwide, with a particular emphasis on regions historically affected by colonization.
Karlovy Cross
Karlovy is an Indigenous Quechua-Hungarian Illustrator, a sapphic and lover of fairies. Her work is seen as tender expression of feminine queerness and an ode to nudity in its most natural form… body hair, stretch marks, and all.
Kah Yangni
Kah Yangni is an illustrator who makes hyper vibrant art about justice, queerness, and joy- using cut up paper, drawings, paint, and Photoshop to show a world where we are free. Kah’s art can be found on billboards, one 2,250 square foot mural, and on bedroom walls from West Philly to Iceland.
Alyssa Klash
Alyssa’s work explores the dark and powerful female psyche in everyone. She uses her sexy cat muse, known as “Albino Kitty,” as her guide to create stunning hand-drawn illustrations that are transformed into clothing, prints, pins, stickers, and much more.
Brielle DuBose and De’von Downes
Brielle DuBose and De’von Downes host Philly Queer Life Drawing. Partnering with venues around the city, they provide a space for artists to build community and highlight the beauty of our queer bodies!! Brielle is an illustrator and facilitator in South Philly. De’von is an established muralist in the Philly/Jersey area as well a brilliant jewelry maker.
SUMMER OF SPECIALS 2024!
Created with artists in mind (but anyone can appreciate a good deal)
this year’s summer specials are better than ever.
Check ’em out and get those projects moving.
***
- Artist Bundle #1 | $80
- Posters/Postcards/Business Cards
- 50 Single-Sided 8×10 Posters
- 100 Double-Sided 4×6 Postcards
- 100 Double-Sided 2×3.5 Business Cards
- Zine Special #1 | $50
- 25 5.5×8.5 Booklets; 12pg Plus Cover; Black & White Insides/Color Cover
- Zine Special #4 | $90
- 25 5.5×8.5 Booklets; 16pg Plus Cover; Color Insides/Color Cover
- Poster Special | $15
- 50 11×17 Posters 4/0 on 100lb Gloss Text or 70lb Smooth Text OR 12×18 Posters 4/0 on 100lb Gloss Text or 70lb Smooth Text
- Artist Bundle #2 | $90
- Posters/Postcards/Business Cards
- 50 Single-Sided 11×17 Posters
- 100 Double-Sided 4×6 Postcards
- 100 Double-Sided 2×3.5 Business Cards
- Zine Special #2 | $60
- 25 5.5×8.5 Booklets; 16pg Plus Cover; Black & White Insides/Color Cover
- Folded Card Special | $35
- 25 4.25×5.5 OR 5×7 Folded Cards 4/4 OR 4/0 on 12pt C1S OR 120lb Smooth Uncoated Cover
- Postcard Special | $100
- 1000 4×6 Postcards 4/4 on 130lb Gloss Cover
- Artist Bundle #3 | $100
- Zines/Postcards/Business Cards
- 25 5.5×8.5 12PG + Cover Full Color Booklets
- 100 Double-Sided 4×6 Postcards
- 100 Double-Sided 2×3.5 Business Cards
- Zine Special #3 | $80
- 25 5.5×8.5 Booklets; 12pg Plus Cover; Color Insides/Color Cover
- J Card Special | $30
- 100 4×4 Digital J Cards 4/4 on 100lb Gloss Cover
- Large Format Special | $15 / $25 / $40
- 13×19 or 18×24 or 24×36 Poster 4/0 on Epson Enhanced Matte OR Epson Premium Glossy Photo Paper OR Epson Premium Luster Photo Paper
SUMMER 2024 | Arts Fest Guide!
Philadelphia is a city of neighborhoods, and there’s no better time than
the summer to start exploring them.
Make plans to check out some of the best festivals in the city,
starting with our list below.
Are you an artist attending/running a fest that’s not listed here?
Message us at marketing@fireballprinting.com to have it added to the list!
- 6/22 – 6/23: Manayunk Arts Festival
- All Summer: Twilight in the Philly Magic Gardens
- 6/9: Odunde Festival
- 6/16: Philly Juneteenth Events
- 8/1 – 8/4: BlackStar Film Festival
- 8/4: 2nd Street Festival
How To Have The Best Event
Whether it’s your first or your five hundredth event, check out our tips below for a successful day:
1. Pick a Great Event | Need some ideas? Check out our Spring Fest Guide.
2. Advertise | Social media is great, but nothing beats pounding the pavement and leaving postcards and posters in local shops, community centers, and show spaces. Need to make some? Check out our poster special and our postcard special.
3. Research How Other Artists Do It | If you are going to vend for the first time, reach out and ask questions. Event organizations can usually give you a good idea of what to expect, but try reaching out to other artists, too, in real life or through IG and FB.
4. Make Yourself Look Good | You only have a few seconds to make an impression as people browse tables at events, so good signage, clear pricing signs, and unique displays really help. Consider getting a banner for your tent or table, and don’t forget to stock up on prints, zines, and other printed products if that’s your thing.
5. Takeaways | Lots of people take time to make choices and if you can, bring cards, or postcards to hand out so they don’t forget you. Make sure to add all the ways they can find you after the event, like email, socials, website, or online shops.
art by Myang Art
Explore Smith Playground
Smith Playground is a Philadelphia treasure.
On their 6 1/2 acre lot, you’ll find their historic building, multiple zones for climbing, swinging, spinning and exploring, and even a giant wooden slide.
Each year, Smith honors and celebrates Black History month with their “Leaders and Legends” exhibit. They feature Black leaders whose impact has made Philly a better place and for the last few years, Fireball has printed and designed the banners that they use in the outdoor displays.
Check out some of the displays below from 2023 and 2024 and visit their site for more information on all the things going on for the rest of the year.
Jackie Small X Redbud Native Plant Nursery
Jackie Small creates visual odes to nature with a commitment to sustainability and a love of all things living. They specialize in wedding invitations and floral arrangements (and often a combination of the two). You can find their Small Print Studio here and follow them on Instagram.
These cards, made for Redbud Native Plant Nursery, explore the intricate relationships between insects and their ecosystems.
- Ink: CMYK
- Paper: Rolland Enviro 100lb Uncoated Cover (100% Recycled)
SPOTLIGHT: Recycled Stocks
We really love paper. Like, a lot.
We also really love the earth and would like it to be around a bit longer.
Recycled papers extend the fiber supply (hello, trees), save landfill space, and reduce energy and water consumption.
In fact, one ton of recycled paper uses 64% less energy, and 58% less water than one ton of paper products originating from virgin wood pulp.
In honor of Earth Day, we’re offering 10% off all standard web orders using recycled papers from now until April 30th. Check them out below.
PROMO CODE: EARTHISNICE
- Neenah Environment Desert Storm 120lb Uncoated Cover: 100% recycled, uncoated stock, kraft color. FSC Certified – Recycled, 100% Post-Consumer Recycled Fibers
- Neenah Environment Desert Storm 80lb Uncoated Text: 100% recycled, uncoated stock, kraft color. FSC Certified – Recycled, 100% Post-Consumer Recycled Fibers.
- Rolland Enviro 100lb Uncoated Cover: 100% recycled, uncoated stock, with subtle specks of color throughout the paper. FSC Certified – Recycled, 100% Post-Consumer Recycled Fibers. Check out some projects on Rolland Enviro.
SPRING FEST GUIDE
Spring is FINALLY here! We love it when the air gets warmer and the flowers get bloomin’ and the fests start festin’.
Check out some of our favorite spring art events and fests below.
Know something else going on that we should add? Message us at marketing@fireballprinting.com to have it added to the list!
- April – December: Artist and Artisan Market
- 5/11 – 12: Art Star Craft Bazaar
- 4/12 – 14: Punk Rock Flea Market
- 5/18: Roxborough Spring Fest