A number of empty storefronts in Philadelphia have been turned into art exhibits as part of an effort to support minority-owned businesses that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and black local artists , brown, aboriginal and LGBTQ.
Visit Philadelphia unveiled its “Love and Grit Storefronts Project” which renovated 14 empty spaces across the city with original artwork designed and created by 12 local artists in partnership with 24 establishments owned by Black and Brown.
Each artist worked and collaborated with two companies which served as inspiration for their respective creations. Notable minority-owned establishments to participate in the effort included South Philly Barbacoa, Cuba Libre and El Merkury.
Art installations can be found in vacant storefronts in areas like Northern Liberties, Old City, Roxborough, Chestnut Hill, Center City and Chinatown. The works of art will be on display across town throughout the holiday season.
Those who love artwork can enter to win a prize of $ 2,000 with over 20 gifts from a number of Black and Brown owned establishments in Philadelphia.
Notable prizes include clothing from Harriett’s Bookshop and The Modern Republic and wellness products from A Man’s Cave and Ursula’s About Phace Rittenhouse makeup studio. Anyone can enter the raffle online or via a QR code that can be found on each of the 24 commissioned works of art. The competition is open until December 30.
“The love and courage, creativity and resilience of Philadelphia artists and entrepreneurs are the soul of this city, and the campaign demonstrates what Philly does best: turning loss into inspiration and empty spaces into opportunity. Visit Rachel, head of innovation and global diversity in Philadelphia. Ferguson said.
The campaign, which is an extension of Visit Philly’s “Love and Grit” podcast series, was funded in part by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
Below you will find each of the local artists participating in the initiative, along with their respective creations and the companies with which each has partnered.
Tiff urquhart
Urquhart, a contemporary artist, has teamed up with Franny Lou’s Porch in Kensington to create “Frances and Fannie,” a pair of multi-media portraits made up of jewelry tones of the cafe namesakes – activists Fanny Lou Hamer and Frances EW Harper. The artwork can be viewed at 806 N. 2nd Street in Northern Liberties.
Urquhart also worked with Girls Auto Clinic in Upper Darby to create “Feminengine,†a blueprint-like multimedia that showcases the inner workings of a car and highlights the store’s technical roots and expertise. The room is located at 7900 Germantown Ave. at Chestnut Hill.
Mz. Icar
A group of mostly black artists who work anonymously, Mz. Icar collaborated with mid-20th century home furnishings store The Modern Republic in North Philly to design “Infinite”. The collage seeks to honor past design, pay homage to the store owner’s journey, and look to the future. The illustration was inspired by the shop building and mid-century decor, as well as the relationship between the furniture period and African aesthetics. The artwork can be found at 244 Race St. in the Old Town.
Mz. Icar has also partnered with the African American Museum in Philadelphia to create “Up and Over,†a visual narrative crafted using the street and the fine art to celebrate movement while helping to amplify all voices. The creation is located at 1500 Market St. in the city center.
Jonai Selix-Gibson
Selix-Gibson, a multidisciplinary designer, worked with Hand of Precision at the South Philly Faheem Barber Shop to design a collage called “Precision.” The artwork features photographs of owner Faheem Alexander, his clients – including several members of The Roots – and his hair salon. The collage can be viewed at 501 South St.
Gibson also teamed up with Freedom Apothecary, a beauty and wellness store in Northern Liberties, to create a collage titled “Freedom.” The artwork includes photographs of owners Morrisa Jenkins and Bonkosi Horn, their customers and products, and the shop itself. The creation is located at 1500 Market St. in the city center.
Tash billington
Billington, a muralist and photographer, collaborated with online store The Sable Collective to create a photo collage of notable items sold by the store to showcase the organization’s mission of spreading joy. The artwork, which bears the same name as the company, is located at 501 South St.
Billington also collaborated with Duafe Holistic Hair Care in North Philly to design an abstract piece featuring acrylic paint and portraits showcasing the various hairstyles on offer at the salon. The creation with the same name as the salon can be found at 8335 Germantown Ave. at Chestnut Hill.
Cindy lozito
Lozito, an illustrator and art director, teamed up with Inked Vintage in Old Town to design an illustration titled “Loved Threads Anew” that seeks to showcase the energy and creativity of the vintage clothing store. creation can be viewed at 501 South St.
Lozito also partnered with Queen and Rook Game Cafe in Queen Village to create an illustration titled “An Afternoon Adventure” using colors and images to show the vibrancy of the restaurant and bar which features over 1,000 games for the game. customer pleasure. The artwork is located at 7900 Germantown Ave. at Chestnut Hill.
Derick Jones
Jones, an illustrator and cartoonist who draws pictures by hand, worked with popular Mexican restaurant South Philly Barbacoa, to create an ink sketch of owner Cristina Martinez towering above her establishment of the Italian market. The artwork bearing the same name as the restaurant can be viewed at 501 South St.
Jones also partnered with Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee and Books in Germantown to design a sketch of owner Marc Lamont Hill overseeing his bookstore and cafe. The creation bearing the same name as the store can be viewed at 636 South St.
Fabiola lara
Lara, illustrator, designer and host, collaborated with South Philly’s Exotic Animals and Houseplant Store ILLExotics to create “Tropical Terrarium”. The coin is an illustration of the store with three hidden thumbnails that viewers can find. It also represents flowers, plants and animals that can be found in the store. The artwork can be found at 501 South St.
Lara also worked with the South Philly Sabbatical Beauty skin care store to design “Scientists at Work,†which is an illustration of three scientists developing beauty items using the company’s products like bamboo, ginseng and lotus flowers. The creation is located at 8123 Germantown Ave. at Chestnut Hill.
Manny Hernandez
Hernandez, illustrator, typographer and graphic designer, teamed up with Society Hill’s Puyero Venezulean Flavor to present the restaurant’s street food and Venezuelan flavors. Called “Latin Flavor”, the multimedia print features vivid colors and the word “Latin” is prominently displayed. The artwork can be found at 636 South St.
Hernandez also partnered with Central American restaurant El Merkury in Center City to create “Delicious,†a three-dimensional black-and-white summary that seeks to appeal to viewers like El Merkury does to its customers. The creation can be seen on 12th and Arch streets in the downtown area.
Illkya Acosta
Acosta, a graphic designer, has partnered with fashion design firm Grant Blvd. in West Philly to create “Love: The Planet”. The artwork is a photo collage of the symbols of love, peace and sustainability, which are the company’s three themes. The creation can be viewed at 2207 South St.
Acosta also worked with food delivery service Black and Mobile to design an illustration titled “The City of Foodily Love†based on the company’s Instagram account and depicting a night out in Philly with photos of hungry foodies. The room is located at 8123 Germantown Ave. at Chestnut Hill.
Kathy chung
Chung, graphic designer and illustrator, has partnered with artisanal ice cream and fruit pie store Lil Pop Shop in West Philly. The artwork with the same name as the boutique is located at 1001 Vine St. in Chinatown.
Chung also teamed up with Vault and Vine, a flower shop, cafe, and event space in East Falls, to create a room that is located at 6117 Ridge Ave. in Roxborough.
Nazeer Sabree
Sabree, a contemporary artist, partnered with P’s and Q’s boutique to create an ink sketch titled “The Crowns of Young Folk”. The creation pays homage to the streetwear and sneakers of the store. The sketch can be seen at 1001 Vine St. in Chinatown.
Sabree also worked with Yowie home and lifestyle boutique in Queens Village to design “My Mother’s Influence”. The collage is a combination of gouache and digital design that highlights stories focused on successful black businesses. The artwork is located at 1500 Market St. in the city center.
Lauren Lopez
Lopez, an illustrator and designer, teamed up with Old City Philadelphia Diamond Co. jewelry store to create a sketch that pays homage to the store’s husband and wife owners, Ken and Nicole Black. The creation with the same name as the store can be found at 7900 Germantown Ave. at Chestnut Hill.
Lopez also collaborated with Cuba Libre in Old Town on a piece called “Esperanza / Hope” which seeks to capture the energy of the Cuban restaurant dining experience and give hope to the Cuban people. The design is located at 8026 Germantown Ave. at Chestnut Hill.
