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News
Business Candytopia pop-up exhibit a treat for the senses — but please don't eat the art

Candytopia pop-up exhibit a treat for the senses — but please don't eat the art

Entrance to Candytopia.
Photo credit Hadas Kuznits/KYW Newsradio
By Hadas Kuznits, KYW Newsradio 1060
KYW Newsradio 1060
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A Willy Wonka-style pop-up candy exhibit opened Friday at The Fashion District. There are 12 rooms to explore at Candytopia at 9th and Market streets. 

And there are rules for visitors. 

"You know, don't lick, don't bite, don't suck the candy!" said Jackie Sorkin is co-founder and co-creator. 

Sorkin has been known as the "Candy Queen" since the debut of her TLC cable TV show of the same name about a decade ago. That's also around the time she started making candy art, which she has since taken on exhibit all around the world.

"So Candytopia is this incredible candy wonderland. It's an immersive experience. We like to call ourselves a mini theme park," Sorkin said.

This crazy place is well described by 5-and-a-half-year-old Maya Swartz: "It's just a fun playground and there's fun flowers to smell, there's donuts all around, and there's fun, like, jungle gym stuff and, like, animals made out of gummies!"

There are also candy sculptures and recreations of famous works of art.

Sorkin says each portrait and sculpture is made up of thousands of pieces of candy. A plaque beside each art piece tells the visitor how much candy was used — and how many calories are in that particular work of art.

Sorkin said, even while creating the art, the candy can be irresistable. 

"Yeah, so we kind of are like 1-to-1 ratio," she said. "One jellybean on the portrait, one in my mouth! One licorice on this hair, one in my mouth!"

Asked if anyone ever tries to lick the art, Sorkin said, "Oh yeah! I mean, we've got some licking problems here, sister!"

To deter the licking of art, guests in each room are offered candies or chocolates that they can eat. 

The pop-up exhibit will be on display through January.

Entrance to Candytopia.
Photo credit Hadas Kuznits/KYW Newsradio

Candytopia pop-up exhibit a treat for the senses — but please don't eat the art 1

Entrance to Candytopia.
Photo credit Hadas Kuznits/KYW Newsradio

Candytopia pop-up exhibit a treat for the senses — but please don't eat the art 2

A colorful passageway in Candytopia.
Photo credit Hadas Kuznits/KYW Newsradio

Candytopia pop-up exhibit a treat for the senses — but please don't eat the art 3

Gateway Arch
Photo credit (National Park Service)

The total cost to build the Arch was $13 million

A treasure chest of Tootsie Pops.
Photo credit Hadas Kuznits/KYW Newsradio

Candytopia pop-up exhibit a treat for the senses — but please don't eat the art 5

A candy sculpture of Rocky.
Photo credit Hadas Kuznits/KYW Newsradio

Candytopia pop-up exhibit a treat for the senses — but please don't eat the art 6

A candy sculpture of the Liberty Bill.
Photo credit Hadas Kuznits/KYW Newsradio

Candytopia pop-up exhibit a treat for the senses — but please don't eat the art 7

Gateway Arch
Photo credit (National Park Service)

The Gateway Arch weighs 43,220 pounds

Gateway Arch
Photo credit (National Park Service)

It's just as wide as it it tall

A candy sculpture of ballerina pigs.
Photo credit Hadas Kuznits/KYW Newsradio

Candytopia pop-up exhibit a treat for the senses — but please don't eat the art 10

A candy sculpture of a jungle cat.
Photo credit Hadas Kuznits/KYW Newsradio

Candytopia pop-up exhibit a treat for the senses — but please don't eat the art 11

Gateway Arch
Photo credit (National Park Service)

The deceptively small observation deck at the top of the arch’s can fit up to 160 at a time.

Details of candy portraits of Steve Jobs and Prince.
Photo credit Hadas Kuznits/KYW Newsradio

Candytopia pop-up exhibit a treat for the senses — but please don't eat the art 13

Details of candy portraits of Marilyn Monroe and Cardi B.
Photo credit Hadas Kuznits/KYW Newsradio

Candytopia pop-up exhibit a treat for the senses — but please don't eat the art 14

Details of candy portraits of Frida Kahlo and Will Smith.
Photo credit Hadas Kuznits/KYW Newsradio

Candytopia pop-up exhibit a treat for the senses — but please don't eat the art 15

Details of a candy recreation of Edvard Munch's 'The Scream' and a candy portrait of Snoop Dogg.
Photo credit Hadas Kuznits/KYW Newsradio

Candytopia pop-up exhibit a treat for the senses — but please don't eat the art 16

Detail of a candy portrait of Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka.
Photo credit Hadas Kuznits/KYW Newsradio

Candytopia pop-up exhibit a treat for the senses — but please don't eat the art 17

Co-founder Jackie Sorkin stands next to her own candy portrait.
Photo credit Hadas Kuznits/KYW Newsradio

Candytopia pop-up exhibit a treat for the senses — but please don't eat the art 18

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