As October arrives, Mural Arts Philadelphia begins its annual Mural Arts Month celebration. The theme of this year’s festivities is titled ‘Voices of Philly’ and centers on honoring the voices that shape Philadelphia—their experience, identity, memory, and imagination.
With this weekend marking the first in October, Mural Arts is hosting a pair of free events featuring renowned Nigerian artist Njideka Akunyili Crosby.
Akunyili Crosby, who studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and Swarthmore College, is known for her methodically layered compositions. She combines painted depictions of people, places, and subjects from her life with photographic transfers derived from her personal image archive, Nigerian magazines, and other mass media sources. Akunyili Crosby’s works are visual tapestries that bring to life the personal and social dimensions of contemporary life while powerfully expressing the complexities of African diasporic identity.
In a collaborative effort between Mural Arts and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the internationally renowned artist comes to Philadelphia to recreate her artwork as a permanent mural.
Bridging Worlds: Voices at the Intersection of Art and Immigration
On Friday, Oct. 3, from 6 to 8:15 p.m., enjoy an evening of dialogue on art, migration, and belonging taking place at the Perelman building at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Joining Njideka Akunyili Crosby will be renowned Philadelphia artist Michelle Angela Ortiz, and Anuj Gupta, CEO of The Welcoming Center. The evening will be moderated by Aviva Kapust of Mural Arts Philadelphia. The event is free to attend, guests are simply asked to RSVP for the evening.
2525 Pennsylvania Avenue, muralarts.org
Mural Dedication and Block Party: Njideka Akunyili Crosby – The Beautyful Ones
The following afternoon, on Saturday, Oct. 4, from noon to 4 p.m., Mural Arts will celebrate Njideka Akunyili Crosby’s latest work titled “The Beautyful Ones Series #1c.” The piece will be permanently set in the heart of the city’s Africatown neighborhood. This event is Akunyili Crosby’s first permanent public art installation.
Mural Art’s scheduled plans for the afternoon include a mural dedication for the artwork and a massive block party, celebrating the work of Akunyili Crosby. The Saturday afternoon event is free and open to the public, with water ice and refreshments, live African dance and drum performances, spirited DJ sets, and Henna paintings and other art activations.
5547 Chester Ave, muralarts.org
For more information, including a complete list of Mural Arts Month events and activities, visit muralarts.org
