SO excited to finally announce Signs Of Solidarity, an unprecedented dual-city public art protest in opposition to hate and divisiveness. On January 20th, dozens of buildings across the cities of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Atlanta, Georgia will drop artist-made Signs Of Solidarity, large banners displaying messages of love and inclusivity to stand in opposition to hate and in protest of any and all that embolden divisiveness.  

Organized in Philadelphia by curator Eric Preisendanz, artist Aubrie Costello, photographer Conor Gray, and StreetsDept.com Founder/Editor Conrad Benner, Signs Of Solidarity began with the idea a couple of weeks after the election to hang a few banners from a few private homes, but quickly evolved into a massive citywide effort combining the passion and drive of over 30 Philly-area artists, writers, poets, and creatives with the permission and coordination of dozens of local building and business owners. And in late December the project grew to include 30 more artists and buildings in Atlanta after a group of Atlanta Arts organizations heard about the project through one of the Philadelphia participating artist, Michelle Angela Ortiz!

Signs Of Solidarity is not a protest of a single man, but a reaction to what appears to be a global shift towards fear and exclusivity. We refuse to accept the normalization of divisiveness and the hate it breeds. Philadelphia is not only the birthplace of American democracy, but the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection. Philadelphia and Atlanta are better cities because of our diverse communities. We’re better cities because of our love and inclusivity. And on January 20th, dozens of Philadelphians from across the city will work together in solidarity with dozens more in Atlanta to present and display messages of love, inclusivity, and getting to work for these essential American values on prominent buildings across both of our brilliant cities.

Artists creating Signs Of Solidarity include Michelle Angela Ortiz, Aubrie Costello, Joe Boruchow, Jessie Hemmons (aka Ishknits), Amberella, Yomi, Alloyius McIlwaine, Sheldon Abba with Bruno Guerreiro, Seper, Lindo Yes with Parrish 94, Blur, Yuenglingblingbling, Low Level, Glossblack, Miriam Singer with Jaqueline Quinn, Kimberly Connerton, Monica O, CURVE, Brooks Bell with Vi Vu, Kees Holterman, Fatima Adamu with Barbara Zanelli, Sean Martorana, Martha Rich, Alexandra Sayer, Frank Bear, Zoe Cohen, Catzie Vilayphonh, and students from the Delphi Program!

Some of the messages that will be displayed on our Signs Of Solidarity include:

“This is not normal. But we are not normal either. We will change the ordinary by being extraordinary.” –Lindo Yes with Parrish94
“Amidst Love, Resist Hate” –Brooks Bell with Vi Vu
“Seeing hate for what it is; Unwelcome here. Seeing love for what it is; Within every one of us.” -Blur
“Spread Love, Create Change” –Yuenglingblingbling
“Moral outrage is born of love.” –Fatima Adamu with Barbara Zanelli
“You can’t take away our Resilience, our Beauty, our Humanity, our Strength… Aqui me Quedo (Here I will Stay).” –Michelle Angela Ortiz

The ‘Signs’ range from 7ft. x 7ft. to 20ft. x 20ft. and will begin dropping from buildings around Philly later this week and remain up through Inauguration Day, Friday, January 20th.

Some of the locations where our Signs Of Solidarity banners will be hung include Johnny Brenda’s, La Colombe (Dilworth Park), the William Way Center, Broad Street Ministry, the Fringe Arts Building, Tattooed Mom, Gravy Studio/Gallery, the Bok Building, Space 1026, Paradigm Gallery and Studio, Pizza Brain/Little Babies (Fishtown), Lapstone & Hammer, Awesome Dudes Printing, Indy Hall, the Wolf Building, several buildings throughout Old City (for its historical significance but also to serve as the biggest concentration of ‘Signs’ for those interested in seeing as many as they can in the short time that they will be up), and more!

Here’s a few of our ‘Signs’ at the artist drop off we had earlier this week…

MUCH more information to come. Mark yourself as ‘going’ to our Facebook Event Page to receive updates!