About this Event
Join Murals Arts Philadelphia and Philadelphia Housing Authority to dedicate three new public art projects at Webb Plaza, featuring work by artists Amir Campbell and Marian Bailey and spoken word poets Dr. Poetica Bey and Enoch the Poet.
Enjoy live entertainment, free food, and an afternoon of art and community as we celebrate the enduring spirit of Sharswood, as visualized in Campbell’s Rhythm of Resilience and Bailey’s Something I Dreamt Last Night.
Created through Mural Arts’ multi-year partnership with Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA), these colorful murals and sidewalk poetry designs honor the neighborhood’s history, resilience, and vibrant future.
What to expect
- Mural dedication ceremony and speaking program
- Music & refreshments
- Halloween-themed art-making activities for all ages
- Free and open to all!
About the Project
Mural Arts created this series of public artworks that celebrate the enduring spirit of Sharswood as a part of Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA)’s Neighborhood Choice Initiative, with support from City of Philadelphia’s Division of Housing and Community Development, SHIFT Capital, Lower North Philadelphia CDC, Brewerytown Sharswood Community Civic Association, and Brewerytown Sharswood Neighborhood Coalition.
Centered around Webb Plaza, which opened in 2023 on the site of the former Norman Blumberg Apartments, Mural Arts’ installations reflect Sharswood’s long history and recent revitalization. Once emblematic of the city’s disinvestment in low-income Black communities, Sharswood is now a thriving commercial corridor with mixed-income housing and community-focused resources. From placemaking murals to poetry embedded in the sidewalks, Mural Arts’ installations honor the community’s resilience and its ongoing efforts to heal from decades of inequity alongside PHA’s transformation.
About Webb Plaza
This plaza honors Webb Department Store, which operated for 50 years at 2152 Ridge Avenue and was known for its extensive record collection. The store was run by Bruce Webb, a pioneer in the retail music business, a community newspaper photographer, an inspiration and mentor to many music professionals, and a beloved community elder. He was also a leader in civil rights and veterans affairs.
Photo caption: Something I Dreamt Last Night (detail) by Marian Bailey, photo by Sahiti Bonam; Rhythm of Resilience (detail) by Amir Campbell, photo by Steve Weinik; Sharswood sidewalk poetry by Anonymous.
Event venue & nearby stays
Webb Plaza, 2077 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, United States
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