Mural Arts Month is a wrap! Now, check out our team’s favorite moments from a busy October
As October 2016 draws to a spook-tastic, candy-full finish, all of us muralistas here at the Mural Arts office are taking a minute to reflect on our top moments from this year’s Mural Arts Month.
Steve votes for Snyder Plaza
Photographer-in-residence Steve Weinik’s favorite Mural Arts Month moments include everything happening in Swanson Walk. From the cool install pics to the nightscape shots, Steve captured the start-to-finish process of the plaza’s artistic transformation.
Laiza fell under Unsung’s spell
The unearthly voices reverberating up through history, echoing around an old tunnel. The translucent, compelling images projected onto old stone walls. Our social media and marketing manager, Laiza, was entranced by the entire experience of Unsung. Over 1,200 people saw the one-night-only installation, and the pictures were a gorgeous blend of history and present-day.
Nicole M. strolled the Spring Arts District
For resident events guru Nicole McDonald, the Spring Arts District tour and exhibition was a hands-down favorite. The vibrant murals spring from a crop of talented emerging artists here in Philadelphia, and their work is on display both outside on the walls, and inside in a super cool exhibition at 990 Spring Garden.
Nicole S. took our new brand out for a twirl and dug into some soulful poetry
Nicole, our director of communications and brand management, had two back-to-back favorites. First up, as we showed off Mural Arts’ new look, Nicole loved chatting with Jane and our pals at J2 about the months-long process of shaping our 30-year-old organization’s new image and brand. Nicole, in her non-Mural-Arts-life, is a poet, and the powerful poetry spoken during our event with Ursula Rucker, SWOON, and the Guild was the second poignant high point of her Mural Arts’ Month.
Dynamic storytelling catches Carly’s eye, as do the fabulous Mural Arts volunteers
This year’s muraLAB Live had a million mini-moments of brilliance, but Yasmine Mustafa and Germaine Ingram blew me away. Yasmine Mustafa talked about the birth lottery, telling a story by turns despondent, joyful, and deeply moving, and Germaine Ingram transformed the jazz-tap motions of her body into a haunting performance thrumming to themes of history and social justice.
I also have to give a shout-out to the Mural Arts volunteers, as having them with us throughout the year is invaluable, and truly a highlight in our busiest months. Their dedication, laughter, and unrelentingly cheerful can-do attitude created sparkling moments at every single event this month.
And Jane Golden picks…
Our executive director, Jane Golden, says that every moment was a favorite for her, but two in particular stood out for their enthusiastic support in the community. A rollicking dedication of the Bandstand-era musicians themed mural, South Philly Musicians Remix, brought out a crowd in a swingin’ mood, while a paint day for a mural dedicated to firefighter Lt. Joyce Craig gathered a dedicated group of painters eager to honor Lt. Craig.
What were your most memorable moments of Mural Arts Month? Share in the comments below or tag us on social with @muralarts and #muralartsmonth.