We are very sad to report the passing of the great artist, Leroy Johnson, who was a mentor to many young artists in Philadelphia, in addition to being a maker of truth-seeking and truth-telling installations, sculpture and paintings.
Read MoreIt’s a time of high anxiety and we now have a new topic of worry — the City’s commissioning of a southern, white, male sculptor, for a permanent Harriet Tubman sculpture to be sited at City Hall. Meanwhile, across town, quietly, a somber monument to rethinking monuments, by Theaster Gates, appears at Drexel. And we hope you go to the book sale and party at the Icebox Project Space, brought to you by Ulises, FORTUNE and other book makers. Also, two top picks for reading and watching — Matthew Rose’s magazine, “Trouble,” debuts its summer issue; and Art 21 presents a charming, 9-minute video of the late Margaret Kilgallen at work, making art featuring her woman heroes.
Read MoreIt’s summer! But there’s still news, even in the art world. A new foundation, The Ruth Foundation for the Arts (Ruth Arts), today awarded $1.25 to 78 nonprofit arts organizations nominated for the grants. We congratulate the 5 local groups chosen for the new grants: Ballet X, Blackstar Projects, Taller Puertorriqueño, Twelve Gates and The Clay Studio. In other news, two videos we recommend for this hot weekend, and a call from the city for citizen participation in shaping the choice for the new public art Harriet Tubman statue.
Read MoreIn this news post, we congratulate the Village of Arts and Humanities on their 6 new women hires; talk of the Philadelphia Cultural Fund’s budget being restored; and tell you about two great Percent for Art opportunities and about Augustus Jackson, the inventor of Philadelphia style ice cream.
Read MoreToday’s news brings you a more comprehensive (although still not complete!) list of the contents for our Atlas of Art and Food in Philadelphia.
Read MoreHave you applied yet? The Velocity Fund grant applications for 2022 are due on June 6, 2022. Applications opened at the end of March, and if you haven’t already, apply today for these direct artist grants of up to $5,000 for experimental projects that foster and encourage collaboration between art genres.
Read MoreHelp us raise $250 more on Kickstarter so we can print more copies of the “Artblog Atlas of Art & Food in Philadelphia” and distribute them- for free- to Philadelphia public high schoolers! Plus, we’re super excited for three opportunities- exhibit opps at two places we love (Icebox Project Space; Automat) and a free online workshop from Andrew Simonet, author of “Making Your Life As An Artist.”
Read MoreWe are in awe of your support for our Kickstarter for “Artblog Atlas of Art and Food in Philadelphia! Thank you dear supporters! If you haven’t joined the campaign for this unique book we are making (publishing in 2023) check out our Kickstarter and consider it! We need you! In other Artblog news, we are so happy to feature original art by Fran Gallun on our Pop-Up Shop! And in opportunity land, the City Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy just announced the 2022 Illuminate the Arts grants for artists and small and mid-sized arts organizations. You should apply!
Read MoreIn a 32-minute podcast, Roberta talks with nationally-known artist Justin Favela about his recent show at Paradigm Gallery, which, like much of his work involves creating piñatas that subvert the genre to comment on issues in the world relating to treatment of Latinos and indigenous peoples, both historically and contemporaneously.
Read MoreRead the updated information in the post about our Kickstarter campaign, and also an excerpt from our team member Ashwin’s story of his mom’s Tomato Biryani! The Kickstarter campaign is live until June 3, 2022.
Read MoreWe want to encourage you to turn out for the Rally for the Arts on Wednesday, May 11 at 11:30 – 1:30 at City Hall. The Mayor’s budget cuts enacted over the last two years and proposed for 2023 demonstrate the Mayor’s lack of understanding of the importance of the arts. Rally for more funding for the arts in the city budget! In other news, Amber Arts and Design and Connect the Dots will help citizens engage with the police HQ, the Roundhouse, and how best to treat the building going forward when the police move. Plus opportunities, including a big-budget Percent for Art project for PHL International! Finally, we urge you to watch a documentary on Melissa Lucio, whose execution has been stayed by a Texas court.
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Support for Artblog has been provided by The Philadelphia Cultural Fund.