Artist Appreciation: Honoring the Creatives Behind the Scenes

Dear Artists,

As Artist Appreciation Month arrives, we at Mural Arts want to honor the power of creatives and their unwavering commitment to illuminating many truths. This month is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate those who truly deserve it—our artists. Your genius shapes the essence of our city’s art scene. When we say “Philly,” we mean you. Your art isn’t just a part of the city; it is the city. How does art impact your community? Why is it important to you?

Your work creates numerous paths leading to a common goal, where all artists coexist, cohabit, and aspire. Regardless of the medium, your art enriches the experience of our city and the world. For this, we express our deepest gratitude.

Over the past year, our initiatives have expanded in scope and impact, allowing us to make significant progress. We’ve had the pleasure of offering a series of artist workshops for professional development, such as “Branding 101,” “Polytab,”, “Taxes for Muralists” and “Photoshop for Muralists.” These workshops were made possible through support from PEW Center for Arts and Heritage and in partnership with institutions like PAFA (thank you, PAFA), making true the ideal of a community of shared resources. Additionally, we launched the pilot program “Small Walls,” bringing three new murals to Philadelphia and providing guidance to the participating artists. These initiatives, along with the work across Mural Arts to improve the systems that impact artists in the ecosystem, have made for a rewarding experience that we hope will leave a lasting impact.

How did your art journey begin? Mine started while watching “Art Attack,” “Beakman’s World,” and “MacGyver.” What sparked your creative search? What was your favorite show or cartoon?

It’s fascinating to think about how different experiences come together to inspire our artistic pursuits and how these pursuits contrast with our surroundings. I’m sure if we met, we’d have wonderful stories to share.

It’s inspiring to see Mural Arts continuing to uplift and celebrate Black artists through the Philadelphia Fellowship for Black Artists program. This initiative highlights and supports the incredible contributions of Black artists in Philadelphia. The program offers Fellows the chance to engage into a public art curriculum that covers everything from project planning to mural design, encouraging collaboration with community members and fellow artists. This kind of support and investment in artists is truly something special, I think, as I recall that it is why and how I first became in contact with the institution.

In our view, you are the connectors of time, the truth-tellers, and the reflections of the many dimensions of the human soul. You are the last bastion of hope when society is at a crossroads. Your work brings meaning, health, and wealth to us all. We thank you for your trust, and I hope to continue supporting the community I am a part of, a community enriched and enlivened by your art.

Dearly,

Emilio Maldonado

Director of Artist Relations