Philadelphia Foundation Art Exhibit Showcases Mural Arts Philadelphia’s Porch Light Program

“Extraordinary Memoirs: The Art of Porch Light” Features Works Created By Program Participants

Firebird Wings by Emily Crane and Alvin Tull. Mural Arts Philadelphia Photos by Steve Weinik.

PHILADELPHIA, PA (Feb. 21, 2020) – Art created by participants in Mural Arts Philadelphia’s Porch Light program will be featured in “Extraordinary Memoirs: The Art of Porch Light,” a new exhibit on display through April 24, 2020, at the Community Art Gallery of the Philadelphia Foundation, 1835 Market Street, Suite 2410.

Showcased will be 25 photographs of textile work, paintings, illustrations and needlepoint made in workshops at Porch Light’s storefront sites.

The Porch Light program – a joint collaboration with the City of Philadelphia’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.

Works in the exhibit were created at:

Weaving by Kathryn Pannepacker and Lisa Kelley

• Color Me Back — A same-day work-and-pay program which combines participatory art-making with access to social services for those experiencing economic insecurity.
• Southeast by Southeast – A welcoming, supportive community space for immigrant and refugee families, connecting neighbors to services and each other while transforming the neighborhood through vivid art and activity.
• Northeast Passage – A location that honors the experience of the many immigrants and refugees who call Northeast Philadelphia home through a series of workshops, art installations, and classes.
• Kensington Storefront – A storefront location that serves as a workshop for visiting artists, a safe space for neighbors, and a learning hub for anyone interested in art-making, personal and public safety, or self-care.

About The Community Art Gallery of the Philadelphia Foundation
Extraordinary Memoirs is the 59th exhibition to be held in the Community Art Gallery, which was established in 2000 as a shared space where local arts organizations, artists and patrons can gather to build greater support for the arts. The gallery also highlights Philadelphia Foundation’s Arts & Culture Fund, a permanent endowment that supports local arts organizations’ efforts to build community through the arts. The gallery is open Mondays through Fridays during business hours. Individuals and groups wishing to tour are asked to make arrangements in advance by contacting Maggi Kirk at  mkirk@philafound.org or 215-863-8105.

About Philadelphia Foundation
Founded in 1918, Philadelphia Foundation strengthens the economic, social and civic vitality of Greater Philadelphia. Philadelphia Foundation grows effective philanthropic investment, connects individuals and institutions across sectors and geography, and advances civic initiatives through partnerships and collaboration. A publicly supported foundation, the Philadelphia Foundation manages more than 1,000 charitable funds established by its donors and makes over 1,000 grants and scholarship awards each year. To learn more, visit philafound.org.

Crochet Work by Sahar El Hanafe

Mural Arts Philadelphia is the nation’s largest public art program, dedicated to the belief that art ignites change. For over 35 years, Mural Arts has united artists and communities through a collaborative and equitable process, creating over 4,000 artworks that have transformed public spaces and individual lives. Mural Arts aims to empower people, stimulate dialogue, and build bridges to understanding with projects that attract artists from Philadelphia and around the world, and programs that focus on youth education, restorative justice, mental health and wellness, and public art and its preservation. Popular mural tours offer a firsthand glimpse into the inspiring stories behind Mural Arts’ iconic and unparalleled collection, which has earned Philadelphia worldwide recognition as the “City of Murals.” Follow along on social media: @muralarts on Twitter and Instagram, phillymuralarts on YouTube, and MuralArtsPhiladelphia on Facebook. To stay up on the latest news on Mural Arts, please visit www.muralarts.org.