Association for Public Art

Our Executive Director, Charlotte Cohen, shared her thoughts with The Washington Post on this week’s unexpected addition to Philadelphia's Maja Park: "Cohen said that when she first saw the statue, she thought that perhaps it was pro-Trump and antiwoman and that its placement next to the Maja statue was disrespectful. 'When I saw the text, I realized it was not that at all, but was making a different case about his behavior and actions over the years,' Cohen said. 'And that’s what public art is about, igniting these kinds of conversations and dialogues. And it is often confusing and cause for debate and can be very subjective in interpretation.'" Read more in the full article. https://lnkd.in/eNTcY83X

Meet our new Development Manager, Jessica Ragusa! Jessica has worked across External Affairs for 15+ years ranging from capital projects at the Whitney Museum of American Art and New Museum of Contemporary Art to media and strategy work with non-profit organizations including the American Museum of Natural History, New York Public Library, and Curtis Institute of Music. She began her career at Art in America and Interview Magazine, and studied Architectural History at the Bartlett School of Architecture in London and Art History at the University of Pennsylvania. Welcome to the team, Jessica ?? https://lnkd.in/eeaAKRrY

We are so honored and excited to announce that the Association for Public Art has received a generous grant from The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage to bring "Let Freedom Ring" by artist Paul Ramírez Jonas to Philadelphia.?We’ll be installing this monumental bell tower near the Liberty Bell on Independence Mall as part of the semiquincentennial celebration in 2026. Originally commissioned by Monument Lab for its “Beyond Granite” exhibition on the National Mall in Washington, DC, the artwork features 32 bells that play an incomplete 'My Country 'Tis of Thee'—pausing at the final note until someone rings the last bell to complete the melody. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gYTGSmHQ (Digital rendering of the installation in Philadelphia courtesy of the artist) #PewArtsGrants

?? NEXT WEEK: Join the Association for Public Art and Asian Arts Initiative for a talk with Philadelphia-based artist Rachel Hsu as she dives into the inspiration and creative journey behind her new installation, "The Weight of Our Living," now on view in Maja Park on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Inspired by Taiwan’s reflexology footpaths, the artwork invites us to walk along a surface of stones for a tactile and meditative journey. This event also serves as our 2024 Annual Meeting. Come meet the artist, enjoy some light refreshments, and join the conversation! ??? Free and open to all with registration: https://lnkd.in/e5Sse_zc

Congratulations to artist and Association for Public Art board member Pepon Osorio on his powerful "Convalescence" project at Thomas Jefferson University! It will be officially open to the public and free to see starting Sept. 3rd through Nov. 1st in the lobby of 901 Walnut Street (Philadelphia, PA). This richly-detailed installation explores systemic health and healthcare inequities in the U.S. through the experiences of five Philadelphians and Osorio's own journey as a cancer survivor. "Over the course of his career, Pepón Osorio has cracked open monstrously complex, systemic problems in American life by focusing on the details," said Rob Blackson, who curated the project. "By telling real, individual stories and magnifying the everyday objects and environments that surround us, Osorio leads us to new and hopeful understandings of our collective power for change." Check hours and related workshops and events at convalescencetju.org.

?? We're hiring! The Association for Public Art (aPA) seeks an experienced fundraising professional to oversee our development and membership program. This is a full-time, hybrid position based in Philadelphia, PA. Get to know us and apply at the link below.

"'I think the power of it is because it’s quiet,' Hsu said. 'The weight that I’m talking about, this emotional weight, is invisible. But we carry that tension in our bodies.'" WHYY’s Peter Crimmins recently spoke with local artist Rachel Hsu about her new installation on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway – a project of the Association for Public Art and the Parkway Council – and even kicked off his shoes to give it a try. "While the stones are not sharp," said Crimmins, "they protrude aggressively, peering deeply into your sole." Head out there and see for yourself! https://lnkd.in/eVKnnDvR

We are saddened to learn of the passing of Stephan Salisbury, longtime senior cultural writer for The Philadelphia Inquirer who cared deeply about the arts in this city. “Stephan was a gifted journalist and exceptional investigative reporter who could be trusted to unearth the truth,” said Laura Griffith, the Association for Public Art's Deputy Director, who was no stranger to being interviewed by Salisbury about public art in Philadelphia. “Without his dogged attention to ‘The Dream Garden’ story”—which saw the Association actively involved in efforts to save the famed mosaic—“the artwork would likely not be at its intended site in Philadelphia today.” Read more about Stephan’s contributions in his obituary. https://lnkd.in/eJAWByVE

Join the Association for Public Art and the Parkway Council as we celebrate the first-ever public artwork by Philadelphia-based artist and Tyler School of Art and Architecture, Temple University graduate, Rachel Hsu! Inspired by Taiwan's reflexology footpaths, Rachel Hsu's proposal was selected for our "Art on the Parkway" juried competition. This temporary installation, "The Weight of Our Living," will be on view in Maja Park on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway as part of The 2024 Oval. Enjoy complimentary light refreshments, hear from the artist, and walk along a surface of river stones for a tactile and meditative experience! ??? Free with registration: https://lnkd.in/eXQiaxff ?? Thursday, August 1st, 6-7:30 PM ?? Oar Pub, Park Towne Place Museum District Residences (South Tower), 2200 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia

Spread the word: The Association for Public Art and the Parkway Council have announced the finalists for our Art on the Parkway juried competition, and we want your feedback! Your input will help inform this program as we move forward. Proposals from?Rachel Hsu; Bumjin Kim and Team (Anna Lim, Nicholas Houser, and Daniel Ortega); and Sarah Peoples?have been selected as the leading contenders for a temporary public art installation in Philadelphia’s Maja Park as part of the annual summer Oval festival. Please review the proposals and share your feedback at https://lnkd.in/eR3ykz6W