Printmaking by the People

Photo by L & DaVinci Art Alliance taken during the workshop “Blueprint for our Future: Declarations of Interdependence” led by teaching artists Sofie Rose Seymour and Joy Lai.

What’s It All About?

What would the Declaration of Independence say if it could be written today?

What visions do Philadelphians have for the promise of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness?”

Next year marks the 250th anniversary of the writing of the Declaration of Independence. This city-wide project will feature discussions about essential aspects of freedom, the importance of printing in communicating and mobilizing during the Revolutionary era, and the urgency of poster-making as a means of advocating for change. Participants in dozens of workshops around the city will create their own posters to express their ideas about the rights that are essential for a just, inclusive and sustainable community. The work will inspire a signature mural and an exhibition at the Free Library of Philadelphia.

Upcoming Workshop Schedule

Among these are… Juneteenth Art’Ventures Event

Sunday, June 19 | 12:00 pm-2:00 pm | Mt. Airy Art Garage | 7054 Germantown Ave | Free

Join us for a free, multi-media screen printing workshop led by artist Justin Keller. We will be studying the use of printmaking in various political movements and how this method has been vital to creating political posters and spreading important messages. We will ask participants the question: If you were to write the Declaration today, what rights would you include? In response to this question, you will create your very own poster using language from the Declaration and layering it with various forms of screen printing.

Celebrate freedom and creativity at Juneteenth Art’ventures, a vibrant event hosted by DiasporaDNA Story Center in partnership with Mural Arts Philadelphia and Mt. Airy Arts Garage! Join us for a day of cultural connection and artistic exploration, featuring a Printmaking by the People workshop. Unleash your creativity, inspired by the spirit of community and self-expression, and dive into the rich tapestry of Juneteenth through art, history, and togetherness.

No prior printmaking experience is necessary. Ages 16 and above. Sign up HERE.

More info: https://www.diasporadna.org/

Silkscreens & Signatures!

Sunday, June 22 | 1:00 pm- 4:00 pm | The Arts League | 4226 Spruce Street | Free

Join artist Justin Keller and civics teacher Grace Palladino in exploring Philly’s rich printmaking history, the world’s most famous break-up letter and how to start a revolution! Then, make your own poster with a message that you think should be included in an updated Declaration of Independence!

Participants will take a deep dive into the history of the Declaration itself, the writers and who they ripped off, and some lesser-known Philadelphians who brought the Declaration to the masses. Participants will learn how to screen print and take home an original work inspired by the document and our fair city’s storied past.

No prior printmaking experience is necessary. Ages 16 and above. Register for event here.

Pop-Up: Independence Weekend at the Waterfront

Saturday, June 28 | Time TBD | Cherry St Pier | 121 N Christopher Columbus Blvd | Free

Join Printmaking by the People at the Cherry Street Pier’s Independence Weekend on the Waterfront! Participants will use letterpress to print their own posters that express their own ideas about what life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness mean today! Take a poster home and donate one for an exhibition next spring at the Free Library’s flagship Parkway Central location.

No prior printing experience or pre-registration is necessary. More details about the overall event here: Independence Weekend on the Waterfront

Read about what it’s like to attend a workshop in this blog post!

Read about our project launch last year in this blog post.