Mural Arts Philadelphia envisions a world where art and creative practice are respected as critical to sense of self and place.
The community is invited to learn about Mural Arts Philadelphia, the nation’s largest public arts program, at the Moorestown library on Tuesday, April 21, at 7 p.m.
The program is sponsored by the First Methodist Church’s Equity and Social Justice Committee.
Mural Arts has spent more than 40 years harnessing the power of art to ignite change. It engages artists and communities in 50 to 100 public art projects a year, and, according to its website, 15,000 residents and visitors annually tour Mural Arts’ outdoor gallery, making Philadelphia the Mural Capital of the World.
“How Philly Moves” – the second largest mural in the world – is a Mural Arts Philadelphia project located along a parking garage at the Philadelphia International Airport. The 85,000-square-foot mural, designed by artist Jacques-Jean “JJ” Tiziou, features dancing figures unified in a rich field of black, giving viewers a taste of the liveliness that awaits them in the city.
“I’d like (attendees) to experience the richness of the art that we are so fortunate to have right in the neighborhood, and to appreciate how art is used to ignite change,” said Mary Starn, chair of the Equity and Social Justice Committee. ” … I just think it’s a wonderful opportunity for everyone to learn about the power of art and the wonderful murals that are available for us to enjoy and learn from in Philadelphia.”
According to the Mural Arts website, 15,000 visitors annually tour the organization’s outdoor gallery, making Philadelphia the Mural Capital of the World.
Nadia Malik, director of Mural Arts Philadelphia’s Porch Light program, will be the library’s speaker next month. The project, a collaboration with the city’s Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services, focuses on achieving universal health and wellness among Philadelphians, especially those dealing with mental-health issues or trauma.
Porch Light offers participants opportunities to use artistic outlets to find creative solutions to systemic concerns. Through Mural Arts, Malik has also had an opportunity to speak about the innovative programs and partnerships in Porch Light at SXSW and in a TedX talk.
“We are trying to provide opportunities to learn about and become more involved in issues that are going on around us in our country and in our world,” Starn explained of the Equity and Social Justice Committee. “We really are trying to encourage (people) to, as we say, nurture their spirit and ignite their activism …
“The First Methodist Church is just really alive with opportunities for getting involved with so many different types of activities …” she added. “(There’s) just a willingness and a desire to be an active part of the community.”
To register for the program, visit the library events calendar at www.moorestownlibrary.org.
