Announcing Streets Dept Walls: A Mural Project Celebrating Philly Artists at Fashion District Philadelphia

(From top to bottom, Streets Dept Walls in-progress by artists: Symone Salib, then Nicole Nikolich)

So exited to officially announce a new project from Streets Dept: Streets Dept Walls, opening September 19, 2019 at Fashion District Philadelphia!

Streets Dept Walls is a celebration of art, our beloved city of Philadelphia, and ourselves. Featuring a collection of 10 new temporary murals by 11 Philly artists, our project works to honor Philly’s status as an arts capitol and a place for creatives. Streets Dept Walls was created by curator Conrad Benner (founder of StreetsDept.com) with support from Fashion District.

The artists creating murals for Streets Dept Walls are: Marian Bailey, Uriah Bussey, Dora Cuenca, Manuela Guillén, Tim McFarlane, A’Driane Nieves, Nicole Nikolich, Quinn Rodriguez, Symone Salib, Chad States, and Meg Wolensky!

Two things I’m particularly excited about curating this project are, first, the array of artistic practices represented here. With our 11 artists we have gallery and street artist, we have artists that work with acrylic paint, oil paint, light, yarn, and poetry. It’s an incredible collection of work from a brilliant mix of established and up-and-coming Philly artists. The second thing, that for a number of the artists apart of Streets Dept Walls this is their first mural or their largest piece of art to-date and/or their first work displayed in a public space. I find that really exciting, and I think y’all will too!

(From top to bottom, Streets Dept Walls murals by: Dora Cuenca with A’Driane Nieves’ peeking on the left, then Marian Bailey)

Philly, as far as I’m concerned, is the arts capital of the United States. We have some of the country’s best art schools, museums, and institutions. We have more public art and murals than any other city in the country. And we have an incredible community of artists living and thriving here that make it all happen. This project celebrates 11 of those artists and brings their work to one of Philadelphia’s most exciting new quasi-public spaces.

It’s undeniable, art is such a powerful tool. Art can connect us to ourselves, our communities, and our world in ways that few other things can. And art in the public space is a tool that’s well used when it reflects our humanity in all its beauty and complexity.

These are Philly artists. And these are our walls!

Streets Dept Walls will be on view on the Concourse Level of Fashion District through the end of 2019. Fashion District Philadelphia opens Thursday, September 19, 2019 and will be open 10am – 8pm Monday to Saturday and 11am – 6pm Sunday.

Be sure to follow @StreetsDeptWalls on Instagram for more details as all the murals are finished and installed over the next week!