Creative Philadelphia

Don't miss your opportunity to get a free pair of #HealingVerseGermantown custom shoes! Enter for a chance to win custom sneakers inspired by "Ben" by M. Nzadi Keita @nzadikeita and featuring collage artwork by Nazeer Sabree @nazeersabree , along with a matching drawstring bag printed with the poem. The raffle closes Wednesday, May 20, at 11:59 PM. Winners will be invited to pick up their sneakers at the Lonnie Young Recreation Center @lonnieyoungrec (1100 E Chelten Ave) on Saturday, May 23, from 12 PM to 3 PM, and on Thursday, May 28, from 4 PM to 7 PM. Tag your friends who you think should enter in the comments! — Ben M. Nzadi Keita We remember your humor first, the door always left open to a twisting staircase where corners and alcoves hide who you really were We remember your burning gaze, your broad smile cracking wise, your handsome burden misleading your youth. You are always at the front of our talk teasing out what you saw and loved — Learn More ➡️ HealingVerseGermantown.com

Highlighting the #HealingVerseGermantown Public Art Poems on view through June 6, 2026! "Ben", by M. Nzadi Keita @nzadikeita , honors the poet's late brother, revealing the ways her family continues to carry his youthful energy and memory. Inspired by the poem, artist Nazeer Sabree @nazeersabree created a collage artwork featured on a custom pair of sneakers and a matching drawstring bag. The artwork will be on display and distributed at the Lonnie Young Recreation Center @lonnieyoungrec , where Ben played as a boy. — Ben M. Nzadi Keita We remember your humor first, the door always left open to a twisting staircase where corners and alcoves hide who you really were We remember your burning gaze, your broad smile cracking wise, your handsome burden misleading your youth. You are always at the front of our talk teasing out what you saw and loved — Enter for a chance to win a free custom pair of sneakers inspired by "Ben" by M. Nzadi Keita and featuring collage artwork by Nazeer Sabree, along with a matching drawstring bag. The raffle closes Saturday, May 16, at 11:59 PM. Winners will be invited to pick up their sneakers at the Lonnie Young Recreation Center (1100 E Chelten Ave) on Saturday, May 23, from 12 PM to 3 PM, and on Thursday, May 28, from 4 PM to 7 PM. Healing Verse Germantown engages the Germantown community in poetry as public art and a powerful outlet for collective expression, cultivating peace, healing, and resistance against violence throughout Philadelphia. The temporary poetry and public art project is supported by @Creativephl and is a winner of the @BloombergDotOrg #PublicArtChallenge. Lead Artists / Co-Curators: @TrapetaM and @YolandaWisher | Public Art Curator: Rob Blackson Learn More ➡️ HealingVerseGermantown.com. 📷: Adriana Ortiz

AMOR is back! ❤️ One of Philadelphia's most beloved public artworks has returned to Sister Cities Park, refreshed and restored for all to enjoy. Over the past few months, AMOR (1998) by Robert Indiana underwent conservation and restoration to repair fading and surface wear caused by years of weather and UV exposure. Through a partnership between Creative Philadelphia, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, Heritage Conservation Collective LLC, and Fine Finishes Painting Studio, an approved painter of the Robert Indiana Foundation, the sculpture has been carefully repainted and restored to its original vibrancy. Now back at 18th Street & Benjamin Franklin Parkway, AMOR is once again spreading love along the Parkway. 📍Sister Cities Park Photo by: Alec Rogers / Association for Public Art #AMOR #Creativephl

May 10-May 16: This week on the Healing Verse Poetry Line, blew kind reads "Exploring my grief, Part 1" #HealingVerseGermantown transforms the voices of those touched by gun violence into healing verses of poetry and public art in a powerful outlet for collective expression against violence in Germantown and throughout Philadelphia. A selection of poems written by Germantown residents through a series of community poetry workshops will be featured on a 24-hour toll-free poetry phone line from November 2024–May 2026 and transformed into a temporary public art exhibition installed in Germantown in 2026. The temporary poetry and public art project is supported by the City of Philadelphia through @CreativePHL and a winner of the @BloombergDotOrg #PublicArtChallenge grant. Call 1-855-POEMRX2 (1-855-763-6792) for a new poem every week, and for mental health resources 24/7. Image Descriptions in alt text.

Free Flowers and Vase available this Saturday! 📣 As part of the #HealingVerseGermantown Public Art Exhibition, flowers arranged by Logan Floral Designs & Gifts in a custom ceramic vase by Rebel Potters will be distributed freely on select dates as supplies last. 💐 🗓️ Saturday, May 9, between 12-5 p.m. 📍 Logan Floral Designs & Gifts (5807 Germantown Ave) 🪴 The custom ceramic vase is printed with “Learn to Forgive” by Jaifah Thompson in a font developed from the poet’s own hand written poem created during a HVG-facilitated youth poetry workshop at Lonnie Young Recreation Center. ➡️ 25 bouquets and vases will be available during this distribution window. Bouquets may also be given as thoughtful Mother’s Day gifts, offering a simple way to honor and celebrate mothers and maternal figures in your life. 💕 🕊️ Visit HealingVerseGermantown.com for more information and distribution times. 🕊️

Reginald Adams has been selected for the Francis J. Myers Recreation Center Percent for Art Project! Coming to Kingsessing, his new artwork will be featured as part of the newly renovated recreation center, creating a vibrant and welcoming space for the community. Inspired by the neighborhood voices, the design reflects local history, resilience, unity, and pride. Commissioned through Creative Philadelphia's #PercentForArt program as part of @rebuild.phl renovations, this permanent public artwork will celebrate the spirit of Kingsessing and inspire future generations. Stay Tuned for Updates! #Creativephl #Rebuildphl

Creative Philadelphia is seeking a full-time Assistant Public Art Director! With a collection of over 1,000 works throughout every neighborhood in the city, Philadelphia’s public art collection reflects its rich history, diverse communities, and long-standing commitment to the arts. Are you passionate about public art and want to support the City's management of new, in-progress, and existing works? Apply by May 31 to be Creative Philadelphia's Assistant Public Art Director! For full details or to apply today ➡️ link in bio!

May 3-May 9: This week on the Healing Verse Poetry Line, Allison Whittenberg reads “Swedge” #HealingVerseGermantown transforms the voices of those touched by gun violence into healing verses of poetry and public art in a powerful outlet for collective expression against violence in Germantown and throughout Philadelphia. A selection of poems written by Germantown residents through a series of community poetry workshops will be featured on a 24-hour toll-free poetry phone line from November 2024–May 2026 and transformed into a temporary public art exhibition installed in Germantown in 2026. The temporary poetry and public art project is supported by the City of Philadelphia through @CreativePHL and a winner of the @BloombergDotOrg #PublicArtChallenge grant. Call 1-855-POEMRX2 (1-855-763-6792) for a new poem every week, and for mental health resources 24/7. Image Descriptions in alt text.

In honor of National Poem in Your Pocket Day, we’re sharing a #PocketPoem from our #HealingVerseGermantown public art exhibition launch earlier this month! At the launch, Mars Santi (@marstookthemic ) read their poem “bullets don’t bloom” which was written during our very first poetry workshop. The poem was inspired by Chew and Chelten Ave, an intersection impacted by gun violence. The poem encourages a return to a slower, more nurturing way of living. “bullets don’t bloom” is one of the 19 poems transformed as public art on view through June 6. See the public art collage by Tomarra Sankara-Kilombo (@soulandsoledad ) at the bus shelter at Chew Ave & Church Lane. HealingVerseGermantown.com

📣 Tomorrow, Friday, May 1, between 3-5 p.m. you can visit EMIR Healing Center (5902 Greene St) to view the film “Mama Song” or to pick up a “Trying to Heal” T-Shirt. ➡️ “Mama Song” illustrates Darlene Wilson-Bennett’s journey through grief following the loss of her son, Justin. The poem was transformed into the short film by local filmmaker Eboni Zamani (@filmphanatic ) of Pearl's Girl Productions (@pearlsgirlproductions ) in collaboration with EMIR (Every Murder is Real) Healing Center (@emirhealingcntr ). ➡️ In “Trying to Heal,” Sifiyah Cupit (@lilxmarah._ ) reflects on a time when life felt joyful and communal before the disruption of gun violence. The public artwork consists of t-shirts, designed by M Slater (@m.slater_ ), in colors that Cupit remembers from annual family reunions when her great aunt encouraged everyone to wear the same unifying color. The shirts, which will be freely distributed, invite the community to share in that sense of kinship. T-Shirts are available in sizes S-3XL in the colors white, red, blue, and pink. T-Shirts are also available Mondays-Fridays, 9-5 p.m. at Chew & Chelten CDC (5652 Chew Ave) as supplies last. 🕊️ Visit our calendar on HealingVerseGermantown.com for more information and distribution times. 🕊️

Thank you Philadelphia!!! Tomorrow is the FIRST DAY of PHILLY MUSIC MONTH!! Follow @tomcphilly for the 31 days of Philly Music campaign. Can’t wait to see how we all decide to celebrate and amplify Philly music! #phillymusicmonth Thanks @6abcactionnews for covering our kickoff and our Marketing and Campaigns chair @maggiep_philly 💪🏽💙💪🏽 #tomcphilly

Reminder: Voting ends April 30! As part of Creative Philadelphia’s In Harriet’s Footsteps initiative, Philadelphians were invited to reflect on the question: What does it mean to walk in Harriet Tubman’s footsteps today? Six powerful finalist quotes have been selected, and the winning quote will be permanently inscribed on the Harriet Tubman statue, A Higher Power: The Call of a Freedom Fighter by Alvin Pettit, coming to City Hall in 2026. Cast your vote before April 30! Link in bio!