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.

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.

Led by artist Nancy Agati, whose own practice includes painting, drawing, and site-specific installation, students will learn about the role of drawing and observation in planning and executing large scale installations and the ways artists connect to a landscape.

Presented by the Association for Public Art and the Preservation Alliance, this walking tour on Sunday, August 20th – “Public Art, Landmarks, and Transformations along the Schuylkill” – will cover the changes and development along the lower Schuylkill River and the industrialization that followed in historical landmarks, and public art spanning the early 18th to the mid-19th century.

Head to The Oval for this free art-making workshop for all ages led by teaching artist Peri Law. Participants will print and collage on Riso prints inspired by the Maren Hassinger “Steel Bodies” sculptures, now on view in Philadelphia along Kelly Drive.

Make your own clay vessel inspired by the new “Steel Bodies” public art exhibition by Maren Hassinger at the Ellen Phillips Samuel Memorial. Created in collaboration with the Clay Studio, this workshop provides an opportunity to learn from experienced ceramic artists and become familiar with both hand building and decorative techniques.

Come for an evening of art and light refreshments along the river! Artist Maren Hassinger will give brief remarks and attendees can explore the “Steel Bodies” sculptures installed throughout the Ellen Phillips Samuel Memorial on Kelly Drive.

Presented by aPA and the Preservation Alliance in celebration of National Historic Preservation Month, this springtime walking tour – “Public Art, Landmarks, and Transformations along the Schuylkill” – will cover the changes and development along the lower Schuylkill River and the industrialization that followed in historical landmarks, and public art spanning the early 18th to the mid-19th century.

Free and open to the public with reception to follow! Join us on December 13th at Moore College of Art and Design for a captivating look at the Association for Public Art’s contributions to the last 150 years of public art and urban design in Philadelphia. Illustrated through archival materials and photographs, this sweeping historical view will include early city planning, untold stories and projects, encounters with artists and more.

The Association for Public Art is celebrating its 150th anniversary with a series of special events this fall: a virtual speaker series that brings together thought-leaders to reflect on the challenges of stewardship, representation, race, gender and power, and walking tours of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway that explore its art, architecture, history and landscape. All events are free with registration, with limited space for in-person tours. We hope you’ll join us!