South by Southeast

Southeast by Southeast fosters a supportive community space for immigrant and refugee families through public art and a bustling neighborhood hub. Since its establishment in 2011, this initiative has expanded its reach, welcoming in neighbors, facilitating connections to support systems for new families, and serving as a central hub for community activities and social services.

The hub space offers a variety of classes taught by volunteers, neighbors, and artists, covering an array of subjects from sewing and weaving to English as a Second Language. The initiative recognizes the importance of entrepreneurship and highly skilled craft making within many of the immigrant and refugee families and thus provides a warm, inviting hub space with familiar activities that opens doors to other social services.

Southeast by Southeast originated through a partnership with DBHIDS and the Mural Arts Program, in response to the resettlement of many new refugee families from Burma and Bhutan in Philadelphia between 2008-2016. As many of these families came with high hopes but faced challenges such as difficulty learning English, Southeast by Southeast emerged as a space for exchange and learning between long-term residents and new communities in Philadelphia. Community leaders co-run the initiative, providing a voice for community members and sharing stories of migration through public projects, murals, books, and films.

Overall, Southeast by Southeast transforms a new place into a home by connecting neighbors to services and each other, while enlivening the neighborhood with vibrant art and activity.

“What began as a series of community workshops and events has now blossomed into a thriving and vibrant community space. It’s a safe zone for people to share concerns, combat feelings of isolation and feel as if they are part of a community.” Read more at 500 Pens >>

For more information, contact Jeffrey Evans at jeffrey.evans@muralarts.org.