Here are some more Black History Month events and happenings in West Philly. If you missed our post on what’s happening at the Free Library of Philadelphia branches in celebration of Black History Month, click here.

• People’s Emergency Center (PEC) and the AIDS Healthcare Foundation are sponsoring an essay/arts contest for Black History Month. This year’s theme is “Share your vision of peace through love for your neighbor,” and submissions are accepted in one of three formats: a written essay (250-500 words), spoken word (1-minute limit), or visual arts (submit as a jpg or png image). The winner in each category will receive a $100 gift card! Last date to submit is February 21. Please send submissions to: kevinb@pec-cares.org  Continue Reading

As the ongoing pandemic keeps many folks in isolation, especially during winter months, a West Philly non-profit and art gallery, One For All, continues its work of supporting local artists and bringing people together. This winter, One For All, an all-women (and LGBT) and currently all-volunteer run organization, has opened an exhibition, “stARTing conversations“, which sparks meaningful reflection and discourse at the times of the pandemic and civil unrest.

The exhibition features an intimate array of eight local artists’ visual social reflections. One of the featured artists is Zoe Lowry, who presents an interactive, multi-sensory installation of large digital illustrations on fabric. Zoe has created an inviting, positive space for participants to explore concepts of self awareness and self love as a way to meaningfully connect with others.  Continue Reading

                             Li Sumpter

The Barnes Foundation continues its community programming in West Philadelphia and will host a special Barnes Presents! event this Thursday, Nov. 7 at The Bank (3750 Lancaster Ave). The event will introduce the Barnes’ current major exhibition, 30 Americans, and will include a conversation about race and equity in the arts. Li Sumpter, a scholar of art, myth, and humanities, and artist Sherman Fleming will participate in the discussion, moderated by the Barnes education team’s Jihan Thomas.  Continue Reading

Artists Leo Tecosky (left) and Roberto Lugo are bringing their work to the historic Hamilton Mansion at The Woodlands (40th and Woodland).

Beginning Sunday, March 31, local artists Roberto Lugo and Leo Tecosky will bring their work to the historic Hamilton Mansion at The Woodlands as part of their Graffiti & Ornament exhibit. The artists, who embrace graffiti and hip-hop culture within their artistic practice, incorporate a carved 19th century graffiti inscription in the exhibition, connecting Philadelphia’s past with the present.

In addition to the opening celebration on Sunday, from 1 – 4 p.m., the exhibition includes other special events every week throughout April:  Continue Reading

“Racism is a Sickness,” an art installation that uses photography and personal stories to showcase the devastating effects of racism on American society, is currently on display at the Art Church of West Philadelphia (5219 Webster St.).

The photo essay, which is presented by Germantown-based photographer and blogger Tieshka Smith, highlights the disastrous socioeconomic effects of racism on the health and well-being of people of color and on society at large. The author hopes to jump start community conversations leading to action and increased cross-collaboration between community members, academics, elected officials, businesspeople and health care practitioners.

“Racism is a Sickness” events program (click to enlarge).

The soft opening of the exhibition was held on Monday, Feb. 1, and tonight everyone is invited to the opening reception, from 7 – 10 p.m., featuring a performance by Philadelphia-based vocalist and rapper DMNQ LNDN.

The installation will be on display until Feb. 29 and will also include the following programs and events throughout the month, such as The Letters Project, “White Like Me” film screening and discussion, an evening of performance art inspired by “Racism is a Sickness,” and more (please check this page for more details).

A closing reception and a community showcase, “Let the Community Speak” will take place on February 27 at 6 p.m.

For more information, visit: http://racismisasickness.tumblr.com/ or the event’s Facebook page.

If you’re looking for something interesting to do tonight, check out this special exhibition opening at University City Arts League (UCAL). An emerging young artist, Patrick Maguire, has totally transformed the gallery space at 4226 Spruce St. The exhibition includes an amazing structure in the middle of the gallery, paintings on the walls, and ambient sound installation.

“Without ruining the experience it will be difficult to tell you much except that even the walls and doors of the space will be entirely different, almost disorienting–in the best possible sense of the word,” UCAL director Annette Monnier wrote in an email.

The opening reception for Maguire’s “We’re on a Road to Nowhere” exhibition is tonight from 6-10 p.m. You can also stop by any weekday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. during the run of the exhibition (January 15th-February 12th).

For more information, go to: http://www.ucartsleague.org/