Mural Arts Kicked-Off our 40th Anniversary at REC Philly!

Close to 200 friends, supporters, staff, and important dignitaries packed into REC Philly on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, as Mural Arts officially launched our 40th Anniversary celebration and announced the theme for the year Roots & Reimagination.  The vibe was absolutely electric!

We reflected on our four-decade journey, which began as a part of the Philadelphia Anti-Graffiti Network (PAGN) and evolved into the nation’s largest public art program, working collaboratively to transform urban spaces with works of art inspiring hope and dialogue.

The event began with a short video narrated by Senior Director of Communications and Brand Management Chad Eric Smith, who also served as emcee, followed by celebrated Philly poet Ursula Rucker with an epic performance of an original poem created for a previous Mural Arts project. Check out the 60-second video below!

Executive Director Jane Golden recounted the early days of Mural Arts and its start as the Philadelphia Anti-

Graffiti Network. “It is truly humbling and exhilarating to have been a part of this amazing organization for the last 40 years!” said Golden. “This milestone reflects our enduring commitment to art and community impact. Over the last four decades, we began as part of the Philadelphia Anti-Graffiti Network in 1984 and grew into a dynamic public art organization that works collaboratively to transform urban spaces with works of art imbued with hope and dialogue.”

Former Mayor Wilson Goode, who created the Philadelphia Anti-Graffiti Network at the start of his administration in 1984,  shared recollections of those early days and what it meant to the City of Philadelphia.  Central to PAGN’s strategy was the belief in the potential of our city’s youth, many of whom were involved in graffiti. The program sought to redirect their energies into constructive opportunities, combining law enforcement with community outreach. This approach aimed to clean up the city and provide these young individuals with life skills and employment opportunities. This legacy of positive changes is still at the heart of Mural Arts today.

At-Large City Councilmember Isaiah Thomas shared his commitment to Mural Arts and the importance of the arts.  Former Parks & Recreation Commissioner Mike Diberardinis, who served as the first boss of PAGN in the early days, recalled the creativity and tenacity of the staff who brought arts into every neighborhood of the City.

One of the event’s highlights was to hear from a line-up of artists representing artists from the early days to some still working with Mural Arts today. Meg Saligman, who created one of our most iconic murals, Common Threads (1998), was on hand to share her early memories. Her other well-known works include Philadelphia Muses (2000) and Passing Through (2006), seen daily by hundreds of thousands of motorists on Interstate 76.  Artist Roberto Lugo, who is currently working with Mural Arts on his community-driven project We Here, which takes place in Kensington over the next two years, spoke about the impact of the arts on his life, and he shared a riveting poem that stirred the crowd.  Artist Cesar Viveros, who has created many iconic murals over the years, including The Sacred Now: Faith and Family in the 21st Century, Healing Walls, Women in Progress, and many more, also spoke.

Legendary graffiti writer Cornbread, who worked with the Philadelphia Anti-Graffiti Network and Mural Arts in the early days, recalled the impact of Mural Arts on his life. King Saladeen, who is currently working on his first large-scale project with Mural Arts, Brotherly Love, which he’s working on with the Rec Crew and artist from the Mural Program at SCI Phoenix, shared his thoughts. Artist and Director and Founder of The Institute for Advanced Study in Black Aesthetics, Theodore A. Harris, who was involved in PAGN from the start, recalled those days and shouted out the early artists who were involved.

In addition to the notable speakers, we announced a year-long partnership with REC Philly, where Mural Arts will host special events and activations to pay homage to the organization’s roots while inspiring the re-imagination of the future of public art.  We also announced five artists from the community who won memberships to REC Philly in honor of the collaboration. Guests in attendance helped ribbon-cut the Mural Arts’ newly branded space in the REC Philly Design Studio, further fostering a collaborative environment for artists and creators.

Following the ribbon cutting, guests and media were invited to join a highlights mural walking tour titled – Outside In Art, which is being debuted in partnership with Fashion District Philadelphia. The tour features murals in the area and permanent art installations inside. Mural tours will be welcomed back to the community beginning March 23, 2024, and this tour will be part of the 2024 schedule.

THURSDAYNIGHTGROOVE was onsite to provide a lively vibe as guests partook in art-making activities by Hilo Fiber Bar and live mural painting.  In addition, Reimagining Reentry Fellow Mark Loughney was on hand to do portraits.

Visit muralarts.org/tours for a complete schedule of all tours offered. Stay tuned to 40th Anniversary happenings and events throughout 2024 at muralarts.org/events.