John Y Wind

Creative juices were flowing at last week’s Portrait Miniatures workshop @therosenbach ! Inspired by my fanciful interpretations in “Dear John”, participants dug into enticing bins of mixed jewelry bits to embellish frames intentionally and exuberantly— creating portrait miniatures that revealed and celebrated their subjects. A highlight was meeting Karen, whose Great Aunt lived in the house we were standing in (2008 Delancey) until her death, when she bequeathed it to the museum! Karen brought a photo of her Great Aunt and created a beautiful and artful Mothers Day tribute to this important woman in her life (first and last photos). 💛🧡🤎 Thanks to @kfluharty6 and @bill.osman.9 for helping the class flow so smoothly and happily~ #portraitminiatures #dearjohn #artworkshopsforadults #assemblageart #mothersdaycraft

Happy Mother’s Day 💐 ✨️⁠ ⁠ Today we are celebrating all of the bold, creative mothers, grandmothers, godmothers, stepmothers, and other maternal figures who support us.⁠ ⁠ Enjoy this look into the world of the Wind family, where John and his brother Lee were continuously inspired by their mom Dina's example of love and empowerment ~⁠ ⁠ @johnwindjewelry @johnwindart ⁠ ⁠ #mothersday #powerofart #womenartists #dinawind

Big thanks to @phlvisitorcenter and @kottlovell for the unique opportunity to create this year’s MVP (Most Valuable Philadelphian) Award for Governor Josh Shapiro! It was presented last night at their buzzy, Phantastic Philly Opener. Centered around a vintage Pennsylvania Jim Beam whiskey decanter, it’s embellished with symbols of @governorshapiro both professional and personal, as well as landmarks of our state. We kicked off our Philly250 jewelry collab last night as well, and I got to meet Miss Philadelphia, Swoop, and a few hundred passionate @phl.phambassadors ⭐️🇺🇸❤️ Thanks as always to Bill for cheerleading, helping with the jewelry, and getting all the pix~ #philly250 #philly #phillyartist #visitphilly #jimbeam

A Philadelphia story… “DEAR JOHN” is a University of Pennsylvania Trifecta— John Frederick Lewis (A.M and L.L.D, 1925), Dr. Abraham Rosenbach (B.S. 1898, Ph.D. 1901) and I (BA 1983) all went to Penn~ Thanks to @joann_greco and @penngazette for this excellent article about the show, my work, and my “Imaginary Kinship” with the men~ (feels pretty real to me, lol 😉) Link in bio for an easier read… @therosenbach #dearjohn @uofpenn #uofpenn #philadelphiastory

Fan Art for Charm Offensive @ Reilly Memorial! Thanks @32rohara for transforming John Paul Jones into these coloring book greeting cards. Perfect for all the thank you notes I want to write… ⭐️⚓️ #charmoffensive #johnpauljones #fanart #philly250 #radicalamericana

It was moving to see an original 18th century @wedgwood Abolition Plaque at this week’s @freemansauction American sale. I also included a reproduction of one on General Nathanael Greene’s necklace in Charm Offensive @ Reilly Memorial. Here’s the backstory: After resigning his commission at war’s end, Greene returned to Newport, RI. Facing a large amount of debt, he relocated to the South and made his home at the Mulberry Grove Plantation outside of Savannah. He had been awarded this land during the war, and despite his Quaker upbringing, which typically opposed slavery, Greene purchased enslaved people to work the land. He died of heatstroke just a year later, at the age of 43. The Wedgwood “Am I Not a Man and a Brother” medallion, designed around 1787 by William Hackwood for potter Josiah Wedgwood, is a famous 18th-century abolitionist symbol. #blacklivesmatter #charmoffensive #semiquincentennial #radicalamericana #philly250

Last weekend John took charm jewelry to new heights…literally! As part of a city-wide celebration of America’s 250th birthday, “Charm Offensive @ Reilly Memorial” activated six bronze monuments to foreign-born heroes of the American Revolution, located in a beautiful park behind the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Through historical research and guidance from the Association for Public Art, the project explored the figures, artists, and civic ambitions behind the monuments. John responded by embellishing the generals with oversized charm jewelry, draped flags and banners – echoing the language of military decoration while telling their stories through a more modern lens and inviting fresh reflection on immigration, commemoration, and heroism. Presented as part of Radical Americana, organized by the Clay Studio in celebration of America’s Semiquincentennial. A follow-up exhibition will be hosted by InLiquid from May 22 – October 6, 2026 at nearby Park Towne Place, Philadelphia. For more images and to follow the project, visit @johnwindart @assocpublicart @inliquidart @theclaystudiophl @visitpham #charmoffensive #radicalamericana #philly250 #semiquincentennial #charmjewelry

And that’s a wrap! After two postcard perfect days, it seemed churlish to complain when Sunday brought rain… This epic adventure was the culmination of a dream I’ve had for years. It happened now with the wind of the Semiquincentennial at my back, and with the support of many people and organizations, especially: ⭐️ @theclaystudiophl and @jzwilling for dreaming up #radicalamericana and even offering $ stipends ⭐️ @assocpublicart and @charlotte415 for serving as my research partner and guide to this brave new world of public art ⭐️The Reilly Trust for saying yes and for additional fiscal support ⭐️ @inliquidart and @rachelzimmerman for logistical support this weekend, and for hosting Part 2 of Charm Offensive next month ⭐️ @creativephl and @valgaysings for general guidance and support ⭐️ @philaparkandrec and @lacampbell for approving the work and event permits ⭐️ @visitpham for welcoming me to your backyard ⭐️ @monument_lab and @paul_farber for inspiration and spreading the word ⭐️ @baldwin_far and @jbaldwinger for expert installation ⭐️ @cosmicphilly for catering and venue Friday night ⭐️ Allied Universal for overnight security ⭐️ @christophertylerstudio for photography ⭐️ @creativesynergymedia for videography ⭐️ @sunflwer.ev Evelyn at the John Wind Studio for skillful assistance to the development and fabrication of the show ⭐️ @jennifrancis for marketing and strategic expertise ⭐️ @bill.osman.9 for being a great husband and supporter on every level ⭐️ @jerrywind for being a great father and supporter on every level ⭐️ @iamleewind @markwindactor @gavrielleskylar @barbaraeberlein for cheerleading It takes a village and I am so grateful to everyone who participated and to everyone who came out to see Charm Offensive @ Reilly Memorial~ ⭐️🇺🇸💜✨🙏 #charmoffensive #philly250 #semiquincentennial

Zhuzhing up the generals on a breezy Sunday morning ✨ Here today till 6pm, and then we de-install 😢 Charm Offensive @ Reilly Memorial William M. Reilly Memorial Northwest Terrace behind the Philadelphia Museum of Art along Waterworks Drive—search “Fountain of the Sea Horses” in your map app Free and open to the public. @assocpublicart @theclaystudiophl @inliquidart #radicalamericana #reillymemorial #monuments #philly250 semiquincentennial

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia 🌻 @inliquidart @assocpublicart #charmoffensive #reillymemorial #radicalamericana #semiquincentennial

Saturday in the Park… You have to see these sculptures in person to appreciate the scale… stop by today! Charm Offensive @ Reilly Memorial Saturday April 18 & Sunday April 19 10am-6pm William M. Reilly Memorial Northwest Terrace behind the Philadelphia Museum of Art along Waterworks Drive—search “Fountain of the Sea Horses” in your map app Artist Talk, Button Giveaway & Public Workshop Saturday April 18 | 2–4pm All free and open to the public. @assocpublicart @theclaystudiophl @inliquidart #radicalamericana #reillymemorial #monuments #philly250 #semiquincentennial

Why a button giveaway? In Charm Offensive @ Reilly Memorial, I use charms to reframe the Generals’ narratives through familiar, enticing symbols of identity and belonging. Buttons extend that idea—inviting visitors to share their own stories. Wearable and ubiquitous, they become small but powerful ways to mark experience, signal connection, and amplify a voice. Charm Offensive @ Reilly Memorial Saturday April 18 & Sunday April 19 10am-6pm William M. Reilly Memorial Northwest Terrace behind the Philadelphia Museum of Art along Waterworks Drive—search “Fountain of the Sea Horses” in your map app Artist Talk, Button Giveaway & Public Workshop Saturday April 18 | 2–4pm All free and open to the public. @assocpublicart @theclaystudiophl @inliquidart #radicalamericana #reillymemorial #monuments #philly250 #semiquincentennial