Jul 6, 2016

The top 7 Mural Arts happenings during the DNC

by: Carly Rapaport-Stein

Philly is heating up just in time for the DNC! Cool off around town with these seven awesome Mural Arts moments happening during convention week.

1. Stroll down Broad Street

Mat Tomeszko’s 14 Movements: A Symphony in Color and Words lights up South Broad Street in a sweet serenade of color and poetry.  Unfolding like a classical sonata, the rippling colors and forms are introduced, advanced, and then returned to as onlookers walk along one of the city’s busiest corridors. Take a close look at the ground mural, and discover the words and imagery found in Philadelphia Poet Laureate Yolanda Wisher’s celebrated book of poems, Monk Eats an Afro.

2. Discover a donkey

Starting in July, 57 fiberglass donkeys handpainted by local artists will be on display at popular sites throughout Philadelphia. Representing 57 states and territories, Donkeys Around Town will include a social media campaign as well as a scavenger hunt to engage residents, delegates, and visitors in the action-packed convention week. Check out the project page here!

3. Visit the flag

Fifteen years ago, soon after the events of September 11, artist Meg Saligman painted a 6,000-square-foot American flag on a warehouse near the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. An artistic beacon of hope and resilience in the aftermath of tragedy, Our Flag Unfurled was meant to be a temporary gesture. The striking image, however, captured our imagination, welcoming people into Philadelphia and becoming an iconic part of our cityscape. After a recent restoration, just in time for the Democratic National Convention, Our Flag Unfurled is ready for its place in the spotlight again. Don’t miss seeing Philadelphia’s most visible mural, standing tall and proud at 500 North Columbus Boulevard.

4. Paint a mural

On Wednesday, July 27, Mural Arts will host a gigantic paint day on the north side of City Hall. Get creative with us, and paint panels of cloth that will become a new mural paying tribute to Philadelphia’s hometown professional basketball team, the 76ers. Designed by artist Ernel Martinez and inspired by Philadelphia student Brandon Dougherty, the winner of the recent 76ers Mural Contest, this free event is open to the public, and anyone from novice painters to professional artists are invited to pick up a paintbrush and contribute to this brand new public artwork celebrating a legendary Philadelphia sports team.

5. Check out the Benjamin Franklin Parkway

From July 15 to August 21, swing by The Oval (located on the southeastern edge of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway) to see Rhythm & Hues, Mural Arts’ new 25,000-square-foot ground mural. Lead artist Brad Carney’s design pops with bold colors and whimsical gestures of movement and musical rhythm. Stop by all summer long for music-inspired crafts, painting activities, and plenty of temporary tattoos.

6. Tell us the truth!

In Search of the Truth (Truth Booth) is a project by members of the Cause Collective—Hank Willis Thomas, Ryan Alexiev, Jim Ricks, and Will Sylvester—a team of artists, designers, and ethnographers creating art in the public realm. In 2016, the Truth Booth, an inflatable video-recording booth shaped like a cartoon speech bubble, will tour all 50 states, with the goal of sharing and collecting diverse perspectives on the “truth” during this election season. Since 2011, the Booth has travelled to Ireland, Afghanistan, South Africa, and elsewhere, and has received over 4,000 statements. During the DNC, Cause Collective will bring the Truth Booth to Philadelphia as part of Mural Arts’ upcoming Mind Over Media project.

7. See your city in all of its artistic glory

Take a break from the DNC and visit the world’s largest outdoor gallery of public art on a Mural Arts tour! Learn about neighborhood history, how murals are made, and the stories behind some of the nearly 4,000 works of public art. Visit muralarts.org/tour or call 215-925-3633 for ticket sales and more information.

 

Last updated: Jul 6, 2016

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Brenda Del Rosario says

I'm from Guam. Can someone email me a photo of the donkey that represents our island?

Thank you.