about

At FRIEDA, we believe that all lives are richer if we connect with people of other generations and other social, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds.

The selection of the art and crafts, and other items in our store, is informed by the same values and principles guiding FRIEDA and FRIEDAcommunity.  Many of the makers, local and international, are members and friends of FRIEDAcommunity.

FRIEDA is proud to support and promote them!

You can enjoy these creations at home or share FRIEDA with your family and friends.

 

Our story began in 2014 in Philadelphia with a focus on community involvement by reaching out to parishes, senior centers, schools and universities.

FRIEDA gathered people of all ages from diverse neighborhoods and social and cultural backgrounds to bake and cook together at the Dorrance H. Hamilton Center for Culinary Enterprises in West Philadelphia. The team sold the baked goods at fairs and holiday markets and donated sweets to soup kitchens and senior centers throughout the city.

In addition to community engagement through baking and cooking, FRIEDA organized crafts workshops in several community centers, with the involvement of students from Temple, Drexel, CAPA, UArts working with retirees on sewing, crocheting and other craft projects, using old techniques applied to modern designs.

Following the opening of our space at 320 Walnut Street in 2015, more people joined the effort and a creative collective was established, The FRIEDA Atelier, designing and making a wide range of hand-crafted objects.

The active involvement of local artists in the FRIEDA community started when artists who exhibited at FRIEDA engaged the public through workshops and social interaction, donating their time and sharing their creativity and skills. Local and international artists and designers have since become a part of the FRIEDA team. It took FRIEDA until 2020 to make it online.

 

 

 

 

2,706

26,000

Muffins donated to soup kitchens, senior and community centers, hospitals 

10 / 20

Languages spoken by / Cultural diversity of FRIEDA team

25,446

Paid hours for employees age 50+

176

Professional opportunities for artists, writers, musicians, performers

865

Donations, discounts to support other nonprofits

5,600

$ raised for STAMP (Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance)

11,500

Volunteer hours nurturing the FRIEDA “community”

24,800

Attendees for activities, events, workshops