Hey, Philadelphia, have you recovered from the Democratic National Convention yet? Now that all the balloons and confetti have been swept up, I hope your political hangover has subsided. How about distracting yourself even more from the ongoing election with some art and culture? Sound good? Summer is quickly waning (August! Already!), so head on out there and explore what The City of Brotherly love have to offer. There’s always the grandiose Philadelphia Museum of Art, of course—personally, I can’t go in there without saying hi to the Cy Twombly room—but not to be overlooked is the local gallery scene as well. From younger artist-run spaces like FJORD to mainstays like Fleisher/Ollman Gallery, you’ve got plenty of options when it comes to must-see shows. If you’re an out-of-towner, cap off the day with a prototypical cheese steak, extra whiz. Hey, if it’s good enough for all the candidates who chow down on one in an effort to curry political favor, it must be worth trying, right?

Exhibition: “Measurably Long Kool”
When: June 2–August 26, 2016
Where: Fleisher/Ollman Gallery, 1216 Arch Street, 5A, Philadelphia, PA

Michael Toenges, 01-12-40-35 (2012). Courtesy of Larry Becker Contemporary Art.

Exhibition: “Blue Scale [Cool Spectrum]”
When: June 18–September 13, 2016
Where: Larry Becker Contemporary Art, 43 N. Second Street, Philadelphia, PA

Akinbode Akinbiyi, Untitled (Lagos) (2003–2004). Courtesy of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Exhibition: “Three Photographers/Six Cities”
When: April 30–September 25, 2016
Where: Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA

Peter Shear (left) and Ellen Siebers (right). Courtesy of FJORD Gallery.

Exhibition: “Basic Instinct: Peter Shear & Ellen Siebers”
When: July 14–August 25, 2016
Where: FJORD Gallery, 1400 N. American Street STE 105, Philadelphia, PA

Emily Smith, Mouth (2016). Courtesy of Paradigm Gallery.

Exhibition: “Emily Smith: When a Man Decides to Hurt You”
When: July 22–August 20, 2016
Where: Paradigm Gallery, 746 S. 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA

Kate Bright, Recreation Lane (2012). Courtesy of Locks Gallery.

Exhibition: “Summer of ‘16”
When: June 17–August 26, 2016
Where: Locks Gallery, 600 Washington Square S., Philadelphia, PA

Neil Anderson, Quartet for America No. 1 (2016). Courtesy of Bridgette Mayer Gallery

Exhibition: “Neil Anderson: Quartet for America”
When: May 3–September 1, 2016
Where: Bridgette Mayer Gallery, 709 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA

Yasiel Elizagary Cardenas, Flight of Fancy (2015). Courtesy of E-Moderne Gallerie.

Exhibition: “The Crossing: Cuban art from Havana and Trinidad”
When: July 9–August 6, 2016
Where: E-Moderne Gallerie, 116 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA