Latest news with #MuralArtsPhiladelphia
Business Journals
3 days ago
- Business Journals
Why San Antonians should fly to Philadelphia this hot travel season
If you're still planning on taking a break from the imminent and relentless heat coming this summer and fall to Central and South Texas and don't want to spend all day traveling, consider Philadelphia a no-fuss destination from San Antonio. In June 2024, American Airlines launched seasonal daily nonstop flights from SAT to PHL that last through early November. Clocking in at just 3.5 hours one way, these seasonal round-trip fares and times vary. Tour the history and the contemporary culture of Philadelphia While San Antonio is home to the San Antonio Missions—of which the five Spanish colonial Missions were recognized as World Heritage sights in 2015 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization—and in 2017 the city was designated as a Creative City of Gastronomy by UNESCO, the entire city of Philadelphia is the first city in the United States to be dubbed a World Heritage City. As the birthplace of the nation, Philadelphia's Historic District is a first stop for any history buff to take in the culture. According to Visit Philadelphia, the city's historic district—which spans from the Delaware River to Seventh Street and from Vine Street to Lombard Street—contains 23 essential stops to take in all the history. Those include the Independence Visitor Center, The Liberty Bell Center, Independence Hall & Congress Hall, the Museum of the American Revolution, The Betsy Ross House, the National Constitution Center, Franklin Square, The African American Museum in Philadelphia, Declaration (Graff) House, Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church and many other stops along the way. Philadelphia's Historic District not only nods to the nation's past, but also to its current culture, with popular beer gardens, boutiques, trending restaurants and eclectic art galleries. Travel beyond the historic district and visitors will learn why the city considers itself the 'Mural Capital of the World.' In the early 1980s the city embarked on an anti-graffiti program dubbed Mural Arts Philadelphia. Now it is the largest public arts program in the nation, comprising more than 4,000 murals with a goal to add up to 100 annually. The murals not only celebrate the city's place in history but also its diversity, sports legacy, portraits of famous locals and famous figures from all over, and more. Taking the theme of murals up a notch are Philadelphia's Magic Gardens, immersive mixed media art environments created by the artist Isaiah Zagar: the Magic Gardens Studio and Magic Gardens Museum: buildings and properties that are completely covered with mosaics. According to the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, tours to all these attractions are available that offer or combine a variety of walking, driving and bus tours. Arts and Culture tours include the murals, South Philly Art Tours, Magic Garden tours, and an 'It's Always Sunny Tour.' Historic tours highlight the city's revolutionary history, and food and drink tours include samplings of the city's iconic cheesesteak proprietors and breweries, one of which offers a light walk while sampling 12 beer styles for just $79. If you're looking for a brief historic walk, a 90-minute walking tour of Philadelphia is available for just $29. A candlelight ghost tour of the city is also available. The South Philly Street Art Tour, for instance, takes visitors through the eclectic Queen Village and Bella Vista neighborhoods to explore mosaics and murals alike for just $42 per person. This tour includes the magic gardens and murals along the way. If walking sounds a little intimidating, it's important to note that for the past three years, Philadelphia has been dubbed the most walkable city to visit by USA Today. Selected by a panel of travel experts and voted on by the public, the easy-to-navigate colonial streets make for a wonderful outdoor urban experience. The Center City Philadelphia corridor spans from the Schuylkill River in the west to the Delaware River to the east, less than 2 ½ miles or 50 minutes from one side of the city to the other by foot. 'We're thrilled that Philadelphia has been named the most walkable city in the U.S. for the third year in a row,' said Gregg Caren, president and CEO of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau in a statement. 'Walkability is one of our greatest strengths, especially for international travelers and meeting attendees who want to maximize their time exploring the city.'
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
Philadelphia honors Quinta Brunson with key, mural at alma mater that inspired 'Abbott Elementary'
PHILADELPHIA -- Philadelphia's mayor honored actor and producer Quinta Brunson with a key to the city Wednesday in a ceremony dedicating a separate mural at Brunson's alma mater, which was the inspiration for her show 'Abbott Elementary.' The producer, writer and comedian gazed at the shiny key handed to her by Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker and quipped: 'Wow! I want to ask the question on everybody's mind: What does it open?' Brunson used the ceremony held at Andrew Hamilton School to celebrate the power of public education, public schoolteachers and music and arts education. Her parents and siblings were in attendance, along with Joyce Abbott, the teacher who inspired the name of the show's fictional school, the 'real life Gregory' and other teachers and classmates. The mural, titled Blooming Features, was created by artist Athena Scott with input from Brunson and Hamilton students and staff. Its brightly colored depictions of real people from the school wrap around the outside of the school's red brick facade. Brunson described taking inspiration from the murals painted along her subway route as a kid, especially when she saw one of her own teachers featured. She said she hopes this mural has the same effect. The actor said she nixed an initial mock-up brought to her by ABC that featured actors from the Emmy Award-winning show in favor of actual community members — because 'that's how you know there is a future.' 'You don't need to see famous people on the wall. You need to see you on the wall,' she said. 'Painted, beautiful. We are beautiful. It makes a difference. It made a difference for me, so I know even if it makes a difference for just one child, that one child matters.' Jane Golden, executive director of Mural Arts Philadelphia, said she was thrilled when Brunson featured her organization on an episode of the show. Philadelphia is ranked No. 1 in the nation for its murals. 'When people visit Philadelphia they are struck by the works of art that grace the sides of buildings in every single neighborhood of the city,' she said. 'For us, this is a matter of equity. It's great to have world class galleries and museums — that's wonderful — but the fact that everyone everywhere can walk out the door and see large-scale works of public art that represent them, like the school here, that is awesome.'
News18
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
From Gayborhood to Glory: Why Philadelphia Is a Must-Visit LGBTQ+ Destination
Last Updated: Philadelphia preserves many historically and culturally important sites related to the LGBTQ+ community while building a strong social voice through various local businesses. Philadelphia is known as one of the most LGBTQ+- friendly destinations in the world with a rich history in queer pride, activism, and a thriving community which is integral to the city's cultural fabric. Along with numerous events and celebrations, Philadelphia preserves many historically and culturally important sites related to the LGBTQ+ community while building a strong social voice through various local businesses. Each year, Philadelphia's LGBTQ+ community comes together for a series of celebrations, parades, and demonstrations including the Philadelphia Black Pride Celebration in April and Philly Pride 365 events throughout the year. The Philadelphia Pride March and Festival in June is an annual festival featuring live musical performances and a Pride Walk. The event starts with a march to Philadelphia's Gayborhood, where festivities await. Various vendors are stationed throughout, selling art, jewellery, and gifts. The all-day block party also features live performances, LGBTQ+ community resources, and a beer garden. Look out for special events, menus, and more from restaurants, bars, clubs, and attractions around Philadelphia during Pride Month. Pride celebrations in Philadelphia are not limited to June. OURfest – dedicated and inspired by National Coming Out Day – takes place during the first weekend in October. The weekend-long celebration includes the OURfest National Coming Out Parade, which features a giant rainbow flag, floats, displays, and live entertainment. Following the parade, the OURfest National Coming Out Block Party and Festival takes over Philadelphia's Gayborhood. The event includes hundreds of vendors, artists, restaurants, food trucks, and community organizations. This section of Center City is home to numerous LGBTQ+-owned shops, restaurants, bars, and clubs. Along with a charming community feel and those rainbow street signs, you will find rainbow crosswalks throughout the Gayborhood. A great way to learn more about the neighbourhood and Philadelphia's history is to take a Philly Gayborhood and LGBTQ+ History Walking Tour. Along the way, snap a photo of one of the city's LGBTQ+ murals, including Mural Arts Philadelphia's Pride and Progress by Ann Northrup, located at 1315 Spruce Street. LGBTQ+ Businesses When visiting the Gayborhood, make dinner reservations at one of the eateries operated by restaurateurs Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran. The married duo is the heart and soul behind restaurants like Barbuzzo, a Mediterranean spot offering wood-fired pizza and house-made pasta. Philadelphia is also home to many other LGBTQ+-owned restaurants such as Mission Taqueria with a Mexican-inspired menu and the neighbouring Oyster House serving some of the best seafood in Philadelphia. Indulge your sweet tooth with a pastry from Cake Life Bake Shop, a trans-owned bakery in the heart of Fishtown or grab a coffee from One Shot Cafe, known for serving artfully crafted caffeinated drinks in Northern Liberties. Philadelphia also boasts an impressive array of LGBTQ+-owned storefronts, boutiques, and other businesses. Along 13th Street in the Gayborhood, shop for quirky Philadelphia-themed gifts at Open House or head across the street to browse home goods, apparel, and jewellery at Verde. In Northern Liberties, stop by Trunc, a gay-owned, female-owned, Black-owned, and Veteran-owned boutique and gift shop. The Gayborhood is home to numerous culturally significant sites, including Philly AIDS Thrift @ Giovanni's Room, the country's first LGBT-focused bookstore. Philly AIDS Thrift, which now owns Giovanni's Room, has another location that sells used clothing and home goods, with proceeds benefiting local HIV/AIDS organizations. Philadelphia's LGBTQ+ History Before the historic Stonewall Riots energized the modern gay rights movement worldwide, a significant event unfolded in Philadelphia. On July 4, 1965, a group of protesters initiated a pride march in front of Independence Hall. This demonstration was the beginning of a series of protests known as the 'Annual Reminders," which raised awareness that the LGBTQ+ community still did not have basic civil rights. This is often considered the flashpoint of the modern gay civil rights movement. Today, this early display of LGBTQ+ activism is commemorated with a historical marker at the corner of 5th and Chestnut Streets. Other LGBTQ+ historical markers can be found in the city. There is one for Alain Locke, known as the 'Father of the Harlem Renaissance" for promoting African American artists, writers, and musicians. Another one is for Gloria Casarez, Latina lesbian civil rights leader and Philadelphia's first director of LGBT Affairs. And one for Philadelphia Gay News (PGN), one of the most awarded weekly newspapers in the U.S. Learn more about Philadelphia's LGBTQ+ community and its history at the William Way LGBT Community Center, which was created to support and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. Today, they offer literary programs, art exhibitions, and over 14,000 books in the centre's library. The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health, fashion, travel, food, and culture — with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: May 22, 2025, 15:05 IST
Axios
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
New art exhibit at LOVE Park highlights Philly's immigrants
A new art exhibit celebrating immigrants' contributions to Philadelphia is opening at LOVE Park this week. Driving the news: "The Philadelphians," a 360-degree projection including images of the city's past and present immigrant communities, launches Wednesday at the Welcome Center in the park and will remain on display through June 8. The piece was created by the artist duo Nadia Hironaka and Matthew Suib. Zoom in: Organizers from the Forman Arts Initiative and Mural Arts Philadelphia will also host programs, workshops and panel discussions as part of the exhibit. What they're saying:"Immigrant stories and family history are a part of all our narratives," the artists said in a statement. "They reflect who Philadelphians are today, how we continuously work in communities, civic life, and government to make our city better, and how our roots connect us to the rest of the world." The big picture: Sanctuary cities like Philadelphia face increasing pressure from the Trump administration, which is compiling a list of cities that do not comply with the president's immigration agenda. If you go: The launch ceremony starts at 7pm Wednesday.
CBS News
19-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
New mural in Philadelphia celebrates Norris Square's Caribbean history
At the corner of Front and Susquehanna, a vibrant new mural project aims to honor the cultural significance of Philly's Norris Square. The mural entitled Nunca Olvides de Dónde Vienes (Never Forget Where You Come From) is part of a CAICU — a public art series through Mural Arts Philadelphia that highlights the Puerto-Rican themed gardens of Norris Square that were born out of the work of community organizers in the 1980s. Unveiled in a ribbon-cutting ceremony and block party on Saturday, the mural was a project between CAICU curator Marangeli Mejia-Rabell, Puerto Rico-based artist Celso Gonzalez and muralist Angurria. "What you see is a beautiful celebration of Caribbean life and unity, celebrating history, present and the potential of the future," Mejia-Rabell said. Five artists, including three local artists who had temporary murals, were part of the work. Mejia-Rabell said it was all a result of meaningful dialogue with the community. The mural dedication was followed by a block party with food and music and performances by dance troupe Grupo Alegria. For Councilmember Quetcy Lozada, Saturday's ribbon cutting was a way to celebrate the neighborhood's roots as well as her own. "The mural speaks to the history and culture of the community — the Norris Square community — on a block that I grew up at. My uncle raised all of his family on this block. So the fact that this is here and I am able to join in — to me — is an amazing day." Student tour guides of Norris Square launched by Mural Arts are set to continue throughout the year. "I want to welcome all of the community of Norris Square to our piece that we just finished," said artist Celso Gonzalez. "We are very excited to be sharing with all of the community our work that reflects the nostalgic look back at our community in the Caribbean." To learn more about the tours, visit Mural Arts Philadelphia .
