Olney Is Where We Belong: Past, Present, Future

Olney Is Where We Belong: Past, Present, Future celebrates the Olney neighborhood of Philadelphia through the stories, memories, and aspirations of the people who call the neighborhood home. Designed as a visual journey through the past, present, and future of Olney, the mural brings together three distinct artists whose complementary styles were intentionally selected to be in conversation with one another: Priscilla Bell, Carolina Gomez, and Raelis Vasquez. Each artist contributed a unique visual language while working collectively to create a cohesive work that reflects the energy, diversity, and character of the neighborhood.

The artists were paired with three longstanding and meaningful Olney businesses—Mom Mom’s Kiddie College, Smooth Like Dat, and Wilson’s Market—as well as three local families. Through a community-engaged process that included community meetings, one-on-one conversations, neighborhood activations, and photo-sharing opportunities, residents and business owners were invited to contribute their stories, memories, and visions for Olney.

Created in partnership with the Olney Community Collaborative, Olney Is Where We Belong: Past, Present, Future is both a celebration and a time capsule. It honors the people, places, and traditions that have shaped Olney while highlighting the vibrancy of its present-day community and imagining the possibilities of its future. Together, the interconnected panels create a shared portrait of a neighborhood—one rooted in history, animated by the present, and looking forward with pride and possibility.