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Profiles

9 results
Page 1
Anglin, a Black woman, poses in a black suit jacket, in an outdoor portrait.

Marguerite Anglin and the future of Philadelphia public art

Telling the collective Philadelphia story
The new director of public art in the Office of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy wants more public art in the city to reflect more identities. Anndee Hochman profiles.
Anndee Hochman

Anndee Hochman

Profiles 4 minute read
Raphael on a bike in front of a stoop. He's wearing a hoodie, smiling towards the camera. He has a long grayed beard

Raphael Xavier’s Swerve changes direction for Philly’s stigmatized BMX culture

From freeze moves to freeze frames
Hip hop artist Raphael Xavier turns his talents from the dance stage to the screen with production of Swerve: The Movie. In the short film, Xavier plays a BMXer who mentors a teenage rider as they both undergo transformation. Darcy Grabenstein profiles.
Darcy Grabenstein

Darcy Grabenstein

Profiles 2 minute read
Rosso-Schneider poses with her book. She's wearing a Halloween-themed blouse & pleated skirt, a grassy background

The magic behind Christina Rosso-Schneider's new book Creole Conjure

A second pandemic book release is more than just fairy tales
A Novel Idea’s Christina Rosso-Schneider has released not just one, but two books during the course of the pandemic. Her secret to getting it all done is magic. Jordan Cameron profiles.
Jordan Cameron

Jordan Cameron

Profiles 3 minute read
A wide shot of the mural with an audience in front of it, with a few people near a podium.

Illustrating joy, queerness, and justice with Kah Yangni's mural We Are Universal

Philadelphia's first mural celebrating transgender people
Artist Kah Yangni talks about their new mural, its messages, and how the mural came to be. Jared Michael Lowe profiles.
Jared Michael Lowe

Jared Michael Lowe

Profiles 6 minute read
Cappard, a Black woman, poses for a portrait sitting in a well-lit room with bookshelves behind her.

Opening the doors and turning the pages with Books & Bagels founder Ellen Cappard

A new page for Wilmington booklovers
The new Books & Bagels offers a curated selection and space for community with help from a community launchpad in Wilmington. Dara McBride profiles.

Dara McBride

Profiles 3 minute read
Williams, a Black woman, poses for a portrait with her arms crossed in a grassy field.

Talking stop-motion animation with Kelli S. Williams

Satirical art for the sake of laughs and social change
Kelli S. Williams is a 2021 Mural Arts Philly Black Artist Fellow, and she's using stop-motion animation and comedy to challenge how we think. Christina Anthony profiles.
Christina Anthony

Christina Anthony

Profiles 3 minute read
Johnston, a Black man, takes a selfie in front of a city limits sign that reads Welcome to Denton.

Civil rights, one step at a time: Mural Arts Fellowship for Black Artists recipient Ken Johnston

More than a walk in the park
Ken Johnston is putting the movement back into the civil rights movement one step at a time, literally. Johnston uses “walks” to emphasize protecting civil liberties. Jared Lowe profiles.
Jared Michael Lowe

Jared Michael Lowe

Profiles 4 minute read
A self-portrait of Rivers. He's a Black man, is wearing glasses, dreadlocks, and a colorful, patterned button-up top.

Talking photography with Mural Arts Philly Black Artist Fellow Khalif Rivers

Uncovering Philadelphia's hidden past
Khalif Rivers is part of the 2021 Mural Arts Philadelphia Black Artist Fellow class. The photographer, writer, and fine artist spoke with Blair Krassen about his work.
Blair Krassen

Blair Krassen

Profiles 2 minute read
A life spent dancing: Manfred Fischbeck on stage with members of Group Motion. (Image courtesy of Group Motion.)

Remembering Philly dance icon Manfred Fischbeck

Fifty years of Fridays

Manfred Fischbeck passed away on March 17, 2021, but his Philadelphia dance legacy lives on. Merilyn Jackson remembers.
Merilyn Jackson

Merilyn Jackson

Profiles 5 minute read