Joining Mural Arts Philadelphia in celebrating October as Mural Arts Month in Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, Mural Arts Month will be a celebration of the arts and the over 4,000 murals produced by Mural Arts Philadelphia since 1984; and

WHEREAS, For over 37 years, Mural Arts Philadelphia has provided transformative experiences, progressive discourse, and economic stimulus to the City of Philadelphia through participatory public art that beautifies, advocacy that inspires, and educational programming and employment opportunities that empower; and

WHEREAS, Each year, 10,000 residents and visitors tour Mural Arts’ outdoor art gallery, which has become part of Philadelphia’s civic landscape; and

WHEREAS, The theme for Mural Arts Month will be Resilience, inspired by the many communities and people who demonstrate extraordinary creativity, unyielding passion, and true grit that make Philadelphia the “Mural Capital of the World”; and

WHEREAS, Throughout October, Mural Arts Philadelphia will have mural dedications, panel discussions, community events, artist spotlights, a film screening, and mural tours around the City; and

WHEREAS, There will be a panel discussion and dedication for

Point of Triangulation

, a new mural by Michelle Jones & Deborah Willis designed to visually depict a choice that an observer has to make: whether or not to stigmatize a person based on the fact that they are formerly incarcerated; and

WHEREAS, There will be the dedication of two new murals, entitled

Lovely Day

and

Opposing Forces

, painted by participants of Mural Arts Philadelphia’s

Color Me Back: A Same Day Work and Pay Program

. The innovative initiative combines participatory art-making and access to social services in a unique model, offering individuals experiencing economic insecurity an opportunity to earn wages; and

WHEREAS, Mural Arts Philadelphia will host an exhibition at Rush Arts Philadelphia of artwork from Mural Arts Philadelphia’s 2021 cohort for the Philadelphia Fellowship for Black Artists. In its second year, the Fellowship, presented by TD Bank, supported 20 artists with $2,000 each in unrestricted funding; and

WHEREAS,

Making Home Movies

, a signature project from Mural Arts’ Porch Light program, will screen a series of new short films at Mifflin Square Park. In its second iteration, the project is a community-building partnership that brings together adult and youth English language learners with filmmakers and community leaders to explore the language and imagery of home; and

WHEREAS, An unveiling of a Climate Justice Initiative mural projection at the Cherry Street Pier, fueled by the words and experiences of front-line BIPOC organizers, activists, and artists fighting for climate justice; and

WHEREAS, The dedication of

Declaration Redaction

, a poignant mural conceived by fellows of Mural Arts’ Philadelphia Reimagining Re-Entry Fellowship, Reginald Dwayne Betts and Titus Kaphar; and

WHEREAS, All month long Mural Tours, led by professionally-trained guides, allow participants to explore and learn about the world’s largest outdoor art gallery; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That Council does hereby join Mural Arts Philadelphia in celebrating October as Mural Arts Month in Philadelphia.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Mural Arts Philadelphia, further evidencing the sincere respect of this legislative body.

End