The Power of Public Art

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This chapter explores the impact of public murals in fostering empathy and social change, particularly for marginalized communities. Through personal experiences and discussions on specific artworks, the speakers highlight the role of art in community engagement and environmental awareness.

Murals! Frescos! Graffiti! Street art! Philadelphia is the birthplace of graffiti and the mural capital of the world so we sit down with city historian, journalist, curator, and Toichographologist Conrad Benner to chat about public vs. private art, cultural movements, commissioned vs. um… un-commissioned murals, how mural topics are chosen, how much it costs to make a mural, where to get that money, vandalism and murals and the fine line between, and how everything you do is art. Let Philly’s history and 5,000 murals inspire you to gaze at what’s in your city and find out who made it, how you can get involved, and why it matters. Also: this episode will have a bonus Field Trip we’ll release in a week or so that will take you to a series of murals in the process of being born.

Follow Conrad on Instagram, TikTok and X

Visit his guide to Philadelphia’s public art and public space at StreetsDept.com

Donations went to the William Way LGBT Community Center and SkypeAScientist.com

Purchase a Frog Facts Advent Calendar at SquidFacts.net