Jun 6, 2023

Mural Arts Celebrates Pride Month!

by: Jenny Donnelly Johnson

At Mural Arts we believe that every mural tells a story. It puts a stake in the ground and says “We are here!”  It amplifies the voices, dreams, and concerns of the people and communities we work with to create each mural. And for Pride Month we are showcasing some of the phenomenal murals and projects we’ve done in the LBGTQ+ community. 

Mural Arts Philadelphia stays steadfast in its support of LGBTQ+ rights and gender equity. We acknowledge the intersection of sexual and racial identity, and the ferocity of these individuals as well as the societal challenges they face. We understand that members of the LGBTQ+ community face adversity on a daily basis and we are happy that Mural Arts gives these talented artists the platform to express their true identities, while honoring their communities

We believe that art is essential. It brings people together and asks us to tap into our imagination and challenges us to be more empathetic.  Art helps us celebrate and acknowledge differences, and at the same time acknowledge our common humanity. We are committed to continuing our work with the LBGTQ+ community, and hope to continue making a difference in the lives of Philadelphians.

 

  • All at Once © 2022 City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program / Ali Williams, Philly AIDS Thrift, 710 South 5th Street. Photo by Steve Weinik.

  • Finding Our Happy © 2021 City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program / Nilé Livingston, Nicole Nikolich, and Marisa Velásquez-Rivas, Giovanni's Room, 12th & Pine Streets. Photo by Steve Weinik.

  • We Are Universal © 2021 City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program / Kah Yangni, Cake Life Bake Shop, 1306 Frankford Avenue. Photo by Steve Weinik.

  • Mural Arts invited printmaker and activistLeah Girardo to work with students at the Attic Youth Center, where she has createda space for young people to creativelyexplore their identity. After developing theirown lexicon of identity symbols, studentsresisted binaries and have adhered to alanguage of gender expression that istheir own. After thorough discussion abouthow they see themselves as LGBTQ youthin the world, the young artists createdintrospective self-portraits. By learning thetechniques of printmaking and photography with Girardo, students screen printed theirinvented vocabulary of identity symbols andformed them into a frame. Inside each frame,students used the photographs they tookof each other to create cyanotype portraits.Come and see the full exhibition of youthwork from the Attic.

  • Showing Face Photography exhibition, August 2015. Photo by Steve Weinik.

  • Showing Face Transit Posters, 2015. Photo by Steve Weinik.

  • Showing Face Billboards, 2015. Photo by Steve Weinik.

  • Pride and Progress © 2002 City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program / Ann Northrup, 1315 Spruce Street. Photo by Jack Ramsdale.

Last updated: Jun 6, 2023

Public Art , Special Projects

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