News and Events

Coming soon! The Association for Public Art in partnership with the Historical Society of Pennsylvania has engaged artist Xenobia Bailey to create a singular emblematic image, The Radical Black Elite, that will be displayed on street pole banners on Locust Street outside of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Marking Bailey’s first public art installation in Philadelphia, these commemorative banners will be on view throughout spring and fall 2024.

Gain exclusive insights from Susan Myers, Assistant Curator and Project Manager at aPA, as she shares the fascinating lives and contributions of remarkable women such as Hélène Sardeau, Gwen Lux, Anna Coleman Ladd, and Margaret Brassler Kane.

Join artist Xenobia Bailey at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania as she exposes the deferred historical achievements of Philadelphia’s Radical Black Elite from the early 1800s.

News

Remembering Emanuel Kelly

Posted: January 16, 2024

It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Emanuel Kelly FAIA, longtime Board member of the Association for Public Art (aPA) and co-founder of Kelly/Maiello, Inc. architectural and planning firm in Philadelphia. Recognized as a leader in the space of architecture and design, Kelly contributed his expertise and passion for public art as a member of aPA’s Board for over 20 years.

News

(Re)FOCUS on Women in Public Art

Posted: January 12, 2024

This self-guided tour highlights notable examples of public art in Philadelphia by women artists, emphasizing the contributions women have made and will make to the public art field as a whole. This exploration is part of (re)FOCUS, a citywide exhibition in 2024 that celebrates the 50th anniversary of the original FOCUS festival (Philadelphia Focuses on Women in the Visual Arts/1974) at Moore College of Art and Design.

In partnership with the Historical Society of Pennsylvania to mark its 200th anniversary in 2024, the Association for Public Art presents a special exhibition highlighting the historic accomplishments and recent contributions of women who have worked in the public art field as artists, benefactors, and leaders. On view January 30 – March 15, 2024.

Event

Historic Rittenhouse Square Tour

Saturday, September 30, 2023

Join the education staff from the Association for Public Art and the Historical Society of Pennsylvania for a walking tour to learn about the early development of the Rittenhouse Square and the prominent civic leaders and artists who played a significant role in making it an iconic public park. The tour ends with a trip to the Historical Society to see supporting documents and images.

Event

Artist Talk: Maren Hassinger

Friday, September 8, 2023

Join the Association for Public Art and the Tyler School of Art and Architecture for an artist talk with multidisciplinary artist Maren Hassinger (b.1947) at Temple Contemporary. Hassinger will discuss her life’s work in the public space and the artist’s first outdoor sculpture exhibition in Philadelphia, “Steel Bodies” at the Ellen Phillips Samuel Memorial.