Mural Arts Announces Mural Arts Month 2024 Theme and Happenings at Kick-off Event at LOVE Park

Mural Arts Philadelphia kicked off their annual Mural Arts Month celebration reflecting on their 40 years of public art in the City of Philadelphia. The theme for this year is “Roots & Reimagination” honoring the organization’s deep “deep-rooted history of community engagement and artistic innovation” in the city.

As we continue to celebrate Mural Arts’ 40th Anniversary, we invite residents and visitors alike to both honor the past and celebrate the people and places that have contributed to making Mural Arts the largest public art program in the country with this year’s theme, Roots & Reimagination.

- Jane Golden

On Tuesday, September 17, on a lovely morning in LOVE Park, Mural Arts, alongside presenting sponsor TD Bank, announced our Annual Mural Arts Month celebration this October, unveiling the 2024 theme: Roots & Reimagination, in honor of our 40th Anniversary. The press conference included the dedication of a Mural Arts Month mini-mural by artist Ayiana Viviana and a preview of the month-long celebration with happenings for all ages and interests.

This year’s theme, Roots & Reimagination, honors Mural Arts’ deep-rooted history of community engagement and artistic innovation while inspiring a visionary future for public art in the City of Philadelphia. Through participatory public art that beautifies, advocacy that inspires, and educational programming and employment opportunities that empower, Mural Arts continues to enrich the city’s vibrancy and inclusivity. The commitment of artists, reflected in their reimagined creations, has not only uplifted and transformed communities but has also reinforced Philadelphia’s esteemed reputation as the “Mural Capital of the World.” This theme is a testament to Mural Arts’ enduring role as a bridge between past traditions and future possibilities, fueling community change and individual empowerment throughout Philadelphia.

Emceed by Chad Eric Smith, Senior Director of Communications and Brand Management at Mural Arts, the event featured remarks by Executive Director Jane Golden, Josh Miller-Meyers, Corporate Citizenship Manager for TD Bank – 2024 Mural Arts Month presenting sponsor, as well as Val Gay, Chief Cultural Officer for Creative Philadelphia, who delivered an official Proclamation from Mayor Cherelle Parker naming October as “Mural Arts Month.” City Council Member Mark Squilla also gave remarks.

In addition, we heard from several of our Festival partners, including Jamie Lane, Donor Services Emerging Markets Account Manager for the American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania, who put a spotlight on Sickle Cell Awareness Month and where people can find resources from the Red Cross during Mural Arts Month events and happenings.

Francesca Galarus, Co-owner of Mural City Cellars, was on hand to unveil their new 2023 Mural Arts Sparkling Rosé, a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes sourced just north of the city in the Lehigh Valley. Branded with the artwork created by Ayiana Viviana for Mural Arts Month, the winery will sell the Mural Arts Month-themed wine throughout October, donating 15% per bottle for every sale to Mural Arts.

Artist Ayiana Viviana was on hand to complete her Mural Arts Month mural and to officially dedicate the artwork, which will remain on display at LOVE Park throughout the month. She talked about her inspiration for the piece and how it reflected this years theme.

Chad Eric Smith shared details about the many events and happenings coming up in Mural Arts Month. Highlights include Mural Arts Fest, a FREE, family-friendly block party on Saturday, September 28 from 1pm to 6pm. The Festival will feature mini-murals as part of the To The Polls project, a bi-annual, non-partisan mural project created with Mural Arts and curator Conrad Benner (Founder of StreetsDept.com) to rally Philadelphia around civic participation through the act of voting. As well as the dedication of a new tribute mural of Philly’s own Jill Scott at Girls High called Luminaries: The Coronation by Patrick Dougher on October 10.

We marked National Voter Registration Day (Sept. 17) by proudly announcing Philadelphia’s first permanent voting-themed mural, which will be dedicated on October 22, exactly two weeks before the 2024 election! This new mural, titled Philly Votes: Legacy In Bloom, is being created by Philadelphia-based figurative illustrator, designer, and muralist Tai Corrienté Baucom, who was on hand to talk about the project. The mural project is a collaboration with Show Up Strong, a nonprofit organization dedicated to amplifying and empowering the voice of a generation.

We also announced special walking and trolley tours throughout the month in honor of Mural Arts Month including our special Murals And Democracy Tour, which will start at the To the Polls exhibit in LOVE Park and will be led by Conrad Benner of Streets Dept., and our own Jane Golden. Plus, there’ll be a Mural Mile Walking Tour featuring an Artist Perspective By Marian Bailey.

Our Mural Lab Live Re-Imagined speaker series returns to engage new audiences and creatives in conversations about public art. Presented by Glenmede Trust Company and hosted by Mural Arts Philadelphia at REC Philly and the W Philadelphia, the series offers insights into artistic journeys, social justice reform, and the transition of street artists into fine art spaces. This intimate exploration is part of Mural Arts Philadelphia’s ongoing commitment to art engagement and community connection.

Find out more about Mural Arts Month events here.

See photos from the event!

Artist Ayiana Viviana at the Mural Arts Month kick off press conference where she unveiled her mini-mural "A City Reimagined" in honor of the theme for this years Mural Arts Month “Roots & Reimagination.”
Mural Arts Philadelphia kicked off their annual Mural Arts Month celebration reflecting on their 40 years of public art in the City of Philadelphia. The theme for this year is “Roots & Reimagination” honoring the organization’s deep “deep-rooted history of community engagement and artistic innovation” in the city.
Mural Arts Philadelphia kicked off their annual Mural Arts Month celebration reflecting on their 40 years of public art in the City of Philadelphia. The theme for this year is “Roots & Reimagination” honoring the organization’s deep “deep-rooted history of community engagement and artistic innovation” in the city.
Mural Arts Philadelphia kicked off their annual Mural Arts Month celebration reflecting on their 40 years of public art in the City of Philadelphia. The theme for this year is “Roots & Reimagination” honoring the organization’s deep “deep-rooted history of community engagement and artistic innovation” in the city.
Mural Arts Philadelphia kicked off their annual Mural Arts Month celebration reflecting on their 40 years of public art in the City of Philadelphia. The theme for this year is “Roots & Reimagination” honoring the organization’s deep “deep-rooted history of community engagement and artistic innovation” in the city.
Mural Arts Philadelphia kicked off their annual Mural Arts Month celebration reflecting on their 40 years of public art in the City of Philadelphia. The theme for this year is “Roots & Reimagination” honoring the organization’s deep “deep-rooted history of community engagement and artistic innovation” in the city.
Mural Arts Philadelphia kicked off their annual Mural Arts Month celebration reflecting on their 40 years of public art in the City of Philadelphia. The theme for this year is “Roots & Reimagination” honoring the organization’s deep “deep-rooted history of community engagement and artistic innovation” in the city.
Mural Arts Philadelphia kicked off their annual Mural Arts Month celebration reflecting on their 40 years of public art in the City of Philadelphia. The theme for this year is “Roots & Reimagination” honoring the organization’s deep “deep-rooted history of community engagement and artistic innovation” in the city.
Mural Arts Philadelphia kicked off their annual Mural Arts Month celebration reflecting on their 40 years of public art in the City of Philadelphia. The theme for this year is “Roots & Reimagination” honoring the organization’s deep “deep-rooted history of community engagement and artistic innovation” in the city.
Mural Arts Philadelphia kicked off their annual Mural Arts Month celebration reflecting on their 40 years of public art in the City of Philadelphia. The theme for this year is “Roots & Reimagination” honoring the organization’s deep “deep-rooted history of community engagement and artistic innovation” in the city.
Mural Arts Philadelphia kicked off their annual Mural Arts Month celebration reflecting on their 40 years of public art in the City of Philadelphia. The theme for this year is “Roots & Reimagination” honoring the organization’s deep “deep-rooted history of community engagement and artistic innovation” in the city.
Mural Arts Philadelphia kicked off their annual Mural Arts Month celebration reflecting on their 40 years of public art in the City of Philadelphia. The theme for this year is “Roots & Reimagination” honoring the organization’s deep “deep-rooted history of community engagement and artistic innovation” in the city.
Mural Arts Philadelphia kicked off their annual Mural Arts Month celebration reflecting on their 40 years of public art in the City of Philadelphia. The theme for this year is “Roots & Reimagination” honoring the organization’s deep “deep-rooted history of community engagement and artistic innovation” in the city.
Mural Arts Philadelphia kicked off their annual Mural Arts Month celebration reflecting on their 40 years of public art in the City of Philadelphia. The theme for this year is “Roots & Reimagination” honoring the organization’s deep “deep-rooted history of community engagement and artistic innovation” in the city.

Last updated: Sep 19, 2024

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Sep 19, 2024

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