The Power of Painting for a Fossil-Free Philly

What does Philadelphia’s climate future look like? Mural Arts’ Climate Justice Initiative (CJI) invites you to help “Paint the Future” at this family-friendly evening of art and activism!

Mural Arts is currently painting a 400-foot-long mural that illustrates the past, present, and future of climate change and climate justice in Lenapehoking (the homelands of the Indigenous Lenape people, including Philadelphia and the Delaware River watershed). On July 13, you can help us paint this mural! (Children are welcome to attend, but must be at least 12 years old to participate in painting.)

While painting, you will also learn about the meaning of mural’s imagery from our community of collaborators. Guest speakers from local environmental justice organizations will share their personal stories, describe their work to help end the era of fossil fuels, and invite attendees to take action together. Light snacks and refreshments will be served.

Speakers: Omar Buenaventura (artist and upcycler); Shawmar Pitts (Philly Thrive); Zulene Mayfield (Chester Residents Concerned for Quality Living); and Denise Bright-Dove Ashton Dunkley (Master Artisan and Educator of Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape culture).

This event is part of NextFab’s Second Thursday series, a monthly open-house style event for the growing community of artists and makers based around 1800 N. American St. For more information about NextFab and their Second Thursday open-house event series, visit https://nextfab.com/event/second-thursday-at-nextfab-repair-fair-2023-06-09/