Artist Spotlight: Andre Chaney

Every Mural Arts Month, we feature a local emerging artist.  This year, we are shining a light on Philly-based artist Andre Cheney.  In addition to creating a special artwork, Andre was a live painter at Mural Arts Fest at The Oval on September 13.  His artwork was also incorporated into the label for Mural City Cellar’s special Mural Arts Month wine. As the featured local emerging artist for Mural Arts Month, Chaney remains committed to using his creative voice to inspire, empower, and connect—bringing color, culture, and storytelling to every space he touches.

Andre Chaney is a painter, illustrator, author, and teaching artist whose work centers African American history, culture, and imagination through narrative-rich visual storytelling. Blending realism and impressionism, his art draws inspiration from folklore, fiction, and everyday life to create deeply resonant portraits and murals.

Could you tell us a little about yourself, your creative practice, and how you came to be a mural artist?

My journey into art began with storytelling—a need to create work that felt both personal and universal. I’ve always painted and illustrated, but it wasn’t until I connected with public art that I realized the power murals have to transform space and bring people together.

I see myself as a storyteller first. My practice blends realism and impressionism, often drawing from folklore, culture, and everyday moments in the African American experience. I’m always exploring how to turn those themes into visual narratives that feel accessible and meaningful, especially for young people.

Murals drew me in because of their scale and impact. There’s something powerful about placing art directly in public space, where anyone—no matter their background or access to galleries—can engage with it. That pushes me to think beyond the canvas and create work rooted in community voices and lived experiences.

At the same time, I’ve never seen myself only as a muralist. Becoming a muralist has been a natural evolution of my journey. Illustration, writing, and children’s books are all extensions of the same mission: to empower, educate, and uplift through storytelling. Murals are one chapter in that story, but I want my work to keep evolving across forms and spaces.

What does it mean for you to be the Local Emerging Artist selected for Mural Arts Month 2025?

This recognition serves as both a reflection of my hard work and dedication to my craft and a humble reminder that I still have a long way to go in my field. Like many artists, I’ve always aspired to earn respect within my discipline.

Before working with Mural Arts, I spent years developing my style and trying to make a name for myself. Those early, often overlooked years were foundational—and essential in preparing me for the opportunities I am now beginning to receive.

Nearly a decade into this journey, being acknowledged as an “emerging” artist gives me a deeper appreciation for how long growth and recognition can take in the art world. At the same time, it affirms that my presence is being felt—and that fuels my drive to remain consistent, push creative boundaries, and continue making meaningful contributions to the advancement of my career and the field as a whole.

How do you continue to fuel your passion creatively?

I stay inspired by looking to the past while imagining the future. I’m deeply moved by artists like Ernie Barnes, Jacob Lawrence, and Charles White—visionaries who pushed beyond their times to create stories that centered Black lives with beauty, resilience, and complexity. Their work reminds me that art is both a mirror and a roadmap. It reflects who we are, but also points toward who we can become.

Following that spirit, I try not to box myself into one way of thinking. I push myself to see from different perspectives, to experiment with new mediums, and to expand how I tell stories. The goal is always to stretch—creatively and personally—because that’s where growth happens.

I also look to contemporary artists like Vashti Harrison and Kadir Nelson. I admire how they utilize art not only for its beauty, but also as a tool for education, empowerment, and cultural preservation. Their ability to blend narrative and image creates works that resonate deeply, especially with younger generations, and that drives me to think about the legacy I’m building.

Another source of inspiration for me is Japanese storytelling, especially manga and anime. I’m fascinated by how those narratives layer complex emotions, moral choices, and growth in ways that are imaginative yet deeply human. Those stories often reflect real-life challenges in unexpected forms—whether through fantasy, martial arts, or superheroes. That influence pushes me to keep experimenting, to break from traditional arcs, and to tell stories that open up fresh ways of seeing.

Talk about a favorite project of yours that you recently engaged in this year.

This year, I was asked to design the theme for Mural Arts Month. Designing this theme has been my favorite project so far because of what it represents. When I was asked to respond to the idea of “hope,” my first thought was of my mother. She was the most hopeful person I’ve ever known, and without her, my passion for art might have been extinguished early on.

Growing up in the inner city of Philadelphia with few resources often felt like living under constant storm clouds. Trials and tribulations could think like a torrential downpour, washing away any sense of happiness. But hope, in those moments, was my umbrella—it gave me the courage to stand in the storm.

The more hope grew, the stronger it became. At first, it was just an umbrella, but over time it came with a rain jacket and boots. Eventually, hope handed me a paintbrush—a tool not just to endure the weather, but to change the forecast altogether. That’s the way my mother taught me to see it: art wasn’t just a way to express myself, it was a way to transform myself and my surroundings.

This project allowed me to honor her lessons and carry them forward. Since childhood, I’ve leaned on creativity to uplift, inspire, and create change in the communities I’m part of—and in the city I love. Designing the theme for Mural Arts Month was more than just another assignment; it was an opportunity to reflect on where I came from, to channel my mother’s spirit, and to share her vision of hope with the people of Philadelphia.

What impact do you hope your public artwork will have on the citizens of Philadelphia?

Building on my previous answer, I hope to contribute to a more hopeful and inclusive Philadelphia—one where minority voices are not only heard but also celebrated. I aim to push visual storytelling forward in ways that are both accessible and representative, providing residents with a platform to share their stories in imaginative and culturally resonant ways. I aim to move beyond traditional forms of representation to uncover the diverse cultures, voices, and experiences of those who live in our city.

Much of my work is also centered on making storytelling more accessible to children. I use visual art and narrative to help address literacy challenges in Philadelphia. My passion for children’s books comes from the nostalgia and subtle life lessons they carry. One of my favorites, Where the Wild Things Are, gently explores themes of self-expression and emotional regulation. It shows children that it’s okay to feel big emotions and that imagination can help them process those feelings, returning to a place of love and safety.

Similarly, I aim to create children’s literature that reflects the diverse experiences of our youth while equipping them with tools for resilience and hope.

One day, I hope to build my own version of an Eric Carle Museum right here in Philadelphia. That dream was sparked after visiting Paisley Park in Minneapolis and seeing what Prince created—not just a tribute to his life and accomplishments, but a transformative space that celebrates the evolution of music and the artists it inspired. Walking through that museum gave me a deeper appreciation for the creative process and lit a fire in me to create something similar for lovers of children’s literature in my own city.

It’s an ambitious goal, but one that feels necessary. A space like that could reignite a love of storytelling in a city where many children need to see their experiences reflected in the books they read. I believe we can inspire a new generation of readers, dreamers, and storytellers—and I want to help build the place where that inspiration begins. Ultimately, I want my work to remind Philadelphians—especially the next generation—that their stories matter, their voices matter, and their hope can change the landscape of our city.

ARTIST BIO

Andre Chaney is an American painter, illustrator, author, and teaching artist whose work blends realism and impressionism to explore themes of folklore, culture, and the African American experience. Born on April 12, 1998, he developed his passion for art early, influenced by figures such as Ernie Barnes and nurtured through institutions like the Moore College of Art and Design and Mural Arts Philadelphia during his adolescence. In 2016, he received a full scholarship to California College of the Arts, where he continued to refine his distinctive style and artistic voice. Chaney has illustrated several children’s books and contributed to public art projects nationwide. His murals and “story trails” reflect a deep commitment to accessible, community-centered art. As a teaching artist, he is passionate about inspiring the next generation through creative expression and storytelling that empower, educate, and uplift.