PRESS
DESIGNER TOY ART FESTIVAL - PRESS KIT
DOWNLOADABLE VERSION
Philadelphia, August 1–10, 2025
Exhibition, Events & Experiences | Online + Multiple Philadelphia Locations
QUICK FACTS
Event Name: The Designer Toy⚡Art Festival
Presented by *Assembly Required⚡ Powered by Pop Solutions
Dates:
Exhibition - August 1–8, 2025
Event - August 8–10, 2025
Location:
Exhibition - The Space Lab 617 S. 2nd Philadelphia, PA 19147
Event - St. 23rd Street Armory, 22 S 23rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Website: toyartfest.com
Instagram: @designer_toy_art_festival
Official Hashtags: #toyartfest #assemblyrequired #artistsassemble
Ticket Info: Exhibition Free. Event is $20 via https://www.toyartfest.com/tickets
Satellite Events - Door prices vary.
Audience: All ages, open to collectors, artists, fans, and families. Night events 16+.
Organizer Contact: matt@assembly-required.net
EVENT OVERVIEW
*Assembly Required is the nation’s only event dedicated exclusively to independent designer toys, bootlegs, custom figural and playable art. Founded by artist Matthew J. Casale, the show began in 2019 in Asheville, NC. In 2025, *Assembly Required teams up with art toy pioneers GoHero and creative agency POP Solutions, to bring Philadelphia the Designer Toy Art Festival - a multi-day celebration of toy culture, creativity, and community.
The event features over 100 toy artists, creators, vendors connected over a weeklong gallery exhibition and artist spotlights at The Space Lab, an online exhibition, and the *Assembly Required expo at the 23rd Street Armory. This all-ages experience offers live DJ’ing, meet-and-greets, exclusive toy drops, food, music, and even a “puppet slam”. This is a unique opportunity to celebrate the artistry of veteran independent toy makers, indie brands, and the next generation of toy creators.
SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE
Friday, August 1-8
• 6:00–9:00 PM – First Friday at The Space Lab “Philly of the Phuture”
Monday-Wednesday, August 4-6
• 6:00–9:00 PM – Artist Spotlights at The Space Lab
Thursday, August 7
• 6:00–12:00 AM – “Toys Alive” Show - Online preview event live from The Space Lab
Friday, August 8
• 6:00–9:00 PM – Kick-off party at The Space Lab
Saturday, August 9
• 8:00 AM–9:30 AM – Brand Builder Breakfast (location TBD)
• 11:00 AM–5:00 PM – Main Show (Exhibits, Panels, Artist Booths)
• 8:00 PM–10:00 PM – Wham Bam Puppet Slam @ Deep End Studios
• Late – Afterparty @ José Pistola’s
Sunday, August 10
• 11:00 AM–4:00 PM – Event wrap up.
PRESS-READY QUOTES
“Philadelphia is the perfect city for this expansion because it has a rich legacy of creativity, rebellion, and community-building. These artists deserve a stage, and Assembly Required is where they get it.” — Matt J. Casale, Founder, Assembly Required
“This festival gives artists from all walks of life a chance to speak through their craft and connect directly with the community.” — Acori Honzo, Philadelphia Artist, LBO Collective Co-Founder
“This kind of festival brings people together, drives business, and shows the world what Philly is made of.” — Casey Parker, Owner of José Pistola’s
“Independent creators are the heartbeat of tomorrow’s brands. Assembly Required is a launchpad for the next generation of world-class creators.” — Steve Forde, Founder of GoHero and POP Solutions, LBO Collective Co-Founder
MEDIA ACCESS
Approved press and content creators may receive:
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Complimentary admission
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Early access to show floor
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Access to interviews with special guests and featured artists
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Media asset kits (logos, b-roll, select product images)
Media Contact: steve@pop.solutions
DOWNLOADABLE MEDIA ASSETS
[✓] Logo files (PNG)
[✓] Banner graphics and promo flyers (PNG, PDF)
[✓] Sponsor and Partner Logos (PNG)
DOWNLOADABLE ASSETS HERE
VENUE & LOCATION RESOURCES
Main Venue: 23rd Street Armory, 22 S 23rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Nearby Landmarks:
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30th Street Station – 5 min walk
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José Pistola’s – After Party venue
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The Space Lab – Gallery and launch party venue
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Others: Reading Terminal Market, The Franklin Institute, Independence National Historical Park, Liberty Bell, Dilworth Park and The Mütter Museum.
Parking: Paid lots nearby (Park America, SP+, Penn Garage)
Transit: SEPTA regional rail, trolley, bus, and Amtrak all nearby
SPONSORSHIP & BRAND PARTNERSHIP
Interested in sponsoring a creator, panel, or feature zone at the event?
Contact: steve@pop.solutions or matt@assembly-required.net for the official sponsor deck.
CONNECT
Website: toyartfest.com
Instagram: @designer_toy_art_festival
Facebook: facebook.com/toyartfest
Email: matt@assembly-required.net
DESIGNER TOY ART FESTIVAL - PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - DOWNLOADABLE VERSION
The Designer Toy Art Festival is Philadelphia’s First-Ever Large-Scale Event for Independent Creators, Art Toys, and Culture, August 1–10, 2025
Philadelphia, PA – This summer, *Assembly Required brings the cutting edge of independent toy art and creative culture to Philadelphia with the Designer Toy Art Festival. The event starts with a gallery and online exhibition August 1st and leads to the main event August 8th-10th at the historic 23rd Street Armory.
Originally launched in Asheville, NC, by artist and curator Matthew J. Casale, *Assembly Required is one of the nation’s only events exclusively dedicated to celebrating independent designer toys, bootlegs, customs, and pop-surrealist collectibles. With its 2025 expansion into Philadelphia, the all-ages show brings together more than 100 independent artists, vendors, and independent toy brands from around the country for a one-of-a-kind gathering that fuses street art, pop-culture, sculptural toys, and figural storytelling.
“This space was built by artists who needed each other — and needed a platform,” said *Assembly Required founder Matthew J. Casale. A University of the Arts alum and a 16-year Philadelphia resident before moving to NC, Matthew observed that, “Philadelphia is the perfect city for this expansion because it has a rich legacy of creativity, rebellion, and community-building. These artists deserve a stage, and *Assembly Required is where they get it.”
For the first time, the event has evolved to become the Designer Toy Art Festival — a multi-day event produced and curated with partners at GoHero, pioneers in collectible toy design, and POP Solutions, an award-winning creative brand development company. The showcase will feature amazing original creations, limited-edition exclusives, live entertainment, and collaborative opportunities for artists looking to take their work to the next level.
“Independent creators are the heartbeat of tomorrow’s brands,” said Steve Forde, founder of GoHero, POP Solutions, and co-founder of LBO Collective. “We’ve seen firsthand how powerful art toys can be in shaping culture. This event is designed to be a launchpad for the next generation of world-class creators.”
This unique experience also features live DJ’ing, food, cosplay, and satellite entertainment designed to celebrate independent creatives. For many, designer toys are more than collectibles — they’re tools for cultural storytelling and identity.
"Art toys are a powerful way for more creatives to tell personal stories—often the ones overlooked or left out by mainstream media," said Acori Honzo, acclaimed Philadelphia artist and co-founder of LBO Collective. "This festival gives artists from all walks of life a chance to speak through their craft and connect directly with the community."
As Philadelphia continues to rise as a national hub for art, design, and maker culture, *Assembly Required provides an opportunity for local businesses and institutions to rally behind the creative community.
“Supporting the arts in Philly isn’t optional — it’s essential,” said Casey Parker, owner of the iconic José Pistola’s and longtime advocate for local talent. “This kind of festival brings people together, drives business, and shows the world what Philly is made of.”
Whether you're a seasoned collector, a curious newcomer, or just looking for something fresh and inspiring, *Assembly Required – Designer Toy Art Festival offers an unforgettable experience of creativity, connection, and culture.
Event Details:
Dates: August 1–10, 2025
Cost: Free and ticketed – See website for event details
Location: 23rd Street Armory, 22 S 23rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Website: www.toyartfest.com
For press inquiries, artist interviews, or media credentials, please contact: