2026 Artist Convening Critical Making: Reimagining Community Care through Arts Education

Philadelphia, PA — January 20, 2026 — The Arts League, West Philadelphia’s longstanding center for arts education and community building, is pleased to announce its 2026 Artist Convening Weekend, a multi-day celebration of artistic practice, collaboration, and support for expanding access to the arts.

The weekend begins on Friday, February 27, 2026, with The Arts League Auction, a free community art auction supporting the Accessing the Arts campaign. The auction will take place from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM at The Arts League and will feature original work by local artists including Ben Woodward, Nicole Rodrigues, Alaina Ewins, and artwork from members of The Arts League Board. All proceeds help extend and remove barriers to arts education and creative opportunities in West Philadelphia, making art accessible to learners of all ages.

The weekend continues on Saturday, February 28, 2026, with the Artist Convening: Critical Making — Reimagining Community Care Through Arts Education. This full-day gathering brings together visionary workshop teachers, educators, and cultural workers to explore practical strategies for equity-driven teaching, community-centered creative engagement, and responsive pedagogy. Participants will connect with peers, engage in hands-on workshops, dialogue with thought leaders, and gain tools for building inclusive, impactful arts education practices.

The Arts League Artist Convening Weekend creates space for meaningful exchange among artists, teachers, cultural organizers, and creative community members. It reflects The Arts League’s commitment to championing artistic voices, cultivating community care, and strengthening social networks through shared creative practice.

Weekend Highlights
● The Arts League Auction — Friday, February 27, 6:00 PM–8:30 PM: A free art auction featuring local and board artists.
● Artist Convening: Critical Making — Saturday, February 28, 11:00 AM–4:00 PM: A conference of workshops, dialogues, and collaborative sessions for artists and educators featuring keynote speaker Conrad Brenner, workshop teachers Deb Reaves Charmelus, Candy Gonzalez, Manuella Guillen and Kate Lien (see bios below)
Ticket Information
● General Admission: $42.26
● Sliding Scale / Reduced Rate: $20 for students
● Group Tickets: 50% off for groups of three or more
Group pricing is designed to encourage collective participation among teaching artists, organizations, and creative teams.
More information and tickets:
https://www.theartsleague.org/artistconveningweekend

The Artist Convening Weekend reflects The Arts League’s ongoing commitment to
artist-led learning, intergenerational exchange, and community care through the arts—creating space not only to share knowledge, but to build lasting relationships among those shaping Philadelphia’s cultural landscape.

About The Arts League
Founded in 1967, The Arts League is a West Philadelphia arts organization dedicated to intergenerational arts education, community engagement, and expanding access to creative opportunity. Located in a historic Victorian space, The Arts League champions artistic growth through classes, exhibitions, workshops, and events that amplify creative voices from diverse backgrounds.