More Than Murals: Artist Appreciation Month

Spend your First Fridays with Mural Arts Philadelphia! Our dynamic monthly speaking series returns this August at W Philadelphia for happy hour, candid conversation, and a panel discussion in honor of Artist Appreciation Month.

Creative Strategist and Producer Dominique Smack will host a panel of local emerging artists who have grown their practice through community collaboration and fellowship opportunities like Mural Arts’ Fellowship for Black Artists. Stay tuned for more panelist details.

About Mural Than Murals

More Than Murals with Dominique Smack is a dynamic monthly speaking series presented by Mural Arts Philadelphia that brings the organization’s broader mission to life—demonstrating that Mural Arts is not only about public art, but also about social justice, restorative justice, art education, workforce development, and deep community impact throughout Philadelphia. Through candid conversations with community leaders, cultural changemakers, program participants, and local partners, the series spotlights individuals whose lives and neighborhoods have been shaped by Mural Arts while reinforcing the importance of sustained investment in the organization’s transformative work.

The series is hosted on the 7th floor of W Philadelphia, reimagining Philadelphia’s iconic First Fridays tradition through a vibrant blend of thought leadership, culture, and hospitality. Set across the hotel’s elevated social spaces, each event will feature curated conversations hosted by Dominique Smack, alongside happy hour, live DJs, artist showcases, and creative networking opportunities. Aligning with the Mayor’s Ring It On 2026 campaign, More Than Murals positions Center City as an active cultural destination while extending the legacy of First Fridays into a contemporary platform that merges public engagement, nightlife, and civic storytelling. Through strategic storytelling, collaborative marketing, and immersive live experiences, this series serves as both a cultural activation and an advocacy platform for the More Than Murals campaign.

Curated by Medina Oyefusi and Dominique Smack.

Note: This event has been rescheduled from August 7, 2026 to August 28, 2026.