Lifelong Philadelphian @conradbenner is a font of knowledge and passion for Philly’s street art world.
He is the founder-editor of the beloved art blog @streetsdept , is a curator for @muralarts , and hosts @whyy ’s podcast “Art Outside.”
He also makes videos highlighting arts and artists for social media, is working on an art scene booklet, recently launched Streets Dept’s fourth annual magazine, and is currently curating several mural projects.
Here is his perfect Philly day:
☕️ 10 a.m. — @twopersonscoffee and @buildingbok
🚦 3 p.m. — @tmoms , @southstreetartmart , and @helloyowie
🖼️ 5:30 p.m. — @paradigmgs@48recordbar
See his full day at the link in our bio.
📝 by Evan Weiss / Staff
📹 by @gabrielncoffey / Staff
Honored, today, to be named one of Philly’s Most Influential LGBTQ+ Leaders for 2024 by @phillygaynews ! ❤️🏳️🌈🥂
Check out the full list now at the link in my bio!
I’m in the @nytimes today, y’all! 😭❤️
This is surreal. I’ll be processing it all weekend. I’m so incredibly honored to have this recognition, but most importantly to do the work I do in this incredible city with the amazing people I have around me. 🥂
First photo features @thesepinklips new Front Street Walls mural! Enormous thanks to journalist Joshua Needelman and photographer @whereismyphd !
LINK IN BIO 🔗
Yesterday we lost my brother, Niki. He was three weeks shy of 12-years-old when I was born. We shared a bunk bed for a bit till he moved into the basement. I can’t imagine having to share a tiny bedroom with a toddler, but I thought it was cool because I thought he was so cool. He’d take me to the playground. He’d take me to parties. He’d take me shopping. Y100 kinda music always reminds me of him and those days.
Family dinners and holidays were full of conversation and laughter, because he was very witty and knew how to tell a story (even if he took a bit too long to tell them). He was so smart too. We watched a lot of Jeopardy, and he seemed to know every answer. Fitting that he was the first person in my family to attend and graduate college. I remember his graduation day so well! We were so proud.
He went on to become a teacher, a wonderful teacher by any measure. On one of his last days in the hospital, he received a packet of heartfelt letters from his recent students.
Niki had been battling cancer for many years, and over the last three weeks it took a turn.
These weeks have been tough. But with every visit to the hospital, I checked in to the same remark from the receptionist: “Wow, he’s really popular.” Niki was not just a great brother, but a great friend and colleague–a man who many loved and who many considered family. Close to 200 people visited him in the hospital. And there through it all, making sure he never spent a day or night alone–the love of his life, Patrice.
Niki was the best big brother I could have ever asked for. We watched one last Jeopardy together with Patrice (yes, he still got more answers right than me). I spent every day of his last week with him. I never imagined a life without him. I’ll love him always ❤️
Conrad Benner, founder of the “Streets Dept” media projects, once described his work as a celebration of public art and space. The blog, now 15, has evolved alongside social media and matured through the pandemic, developing a clearer sense of identity. Now, Benner is reflecting on its future — starting with a podcast relaunch on April 7.
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#ConradBenner #StreetsDept #StreetArt #PhillyArt #LGBTQPhilly #LGBTQPhiladelphia #LGBTQPodcasts
WHYY News & Bridging Blocks host their 3rd Civic News Summit this weekend at WHYY in Philadelphia, exploring best practices for newsrooms to engage their communities in the practice of civic journalism.
Registration is free and open to the public. Visit whyy.org/events for details.
One of my lifelong Philly dreams has happened: Cover of @phillycurrent ! Then while they’ve moved on to promoting their next issue–if you’re still interested in grabbing one of the last copies with my interview, DM them today! ❤️🎨🥂🦅🎉
