Icon Billboard Series - Mural Arts Philadelphia Mural Arts Philadelphia

location
Various
Neighborhood
Citywide
completion date
June 30, 2024

Wanda E. Payne, Highwire, 2018. Photo by Steve Weinik.

For the 2024 (Re)FOCUS citywide exhibition, Mural Arts is partnering with Smalls Museum Consulting (SMC) to present the Icon Series. In consultation with a committee of iconic curators of color, Smalls Museum Consulting presents a curatorial exercise that uplifts visionary women artists in a billboard series across the city.

The series includes artists featured in Philadelphia Focuses on Women in the Visual Arts/1974, identifies additions to the original list of artists, and places them alongside artists in the contemporary iteration of the exhibition titled Feminist Focus: Fifty Years of Women’s Art in Philadelphia at Moore College of Art and Design. The series will encapsulate the strong history of women and female-identifying artists as iconic Philadelphians and community leaders in the fine arts.

The featured artworks draw connections across historic and contemporary art movements that continue to anchor Philadelphia as a pioneering arts hub. The Icon Series presents exemplary works of museum-quality art throughout the city for citizens to discover the new legacy of iconic women of color in the arts. Artists will include: Brittany Baum, Edith Emerson, Dara Haskins, Violet Oakley, Wanda Payne, Ellen Powell Tiberino, and Ellen Tiberino.

Funded by The City of Philadelphia

Project Partners: Smalls Museum Consulting, (re)FOCUS, Clear Channel

Sites & Dates

April 1 – April 29:
Dara Haskins at 52nd & Market Street
Wanda Payne at Spring Garden & 5th Street

April 15 – May 13
Wanda Payne at Ridge Ave & 10th Street

May 6 – June 3:
Brittany Baum at 26th & Hartranft Street

May 20 – June 17:
Violet Oakley & Edith Emerson at 43rd & Walnut Street

July 1 – July 29:
Ellen Powell Tiberino & Ellen Tiberino at 52nd & Lancaster Ave

Artist

Edith Emerson

Edith Emerson’s story is one of familial influence, artistic mentorship, and dedicated leadership in the arts. Born into a family with a rich background in both artistry and academia in Ohio, Emerson’s early exposure to diverse cultures through travel and her apprenticeship under a Norwegian painter laid the foundation for her burgeoning talent in the visual arts.

Her journey eventually led her to Philadelphia, where she studied under the renowned artist Violet Oakley, a significant figure in the Icon Billboard Series. Oakley’s mentorship proved pivotal for Emerson, igniting her passion and expanding her artistic horizons in ways she had not previously imagined. Emerson’s admiration for Oakley as a teacher and mentor is evident in her portrayal of Oakley in her painting, “Portrait of Violet Oakley,” which was selected for the Icon Series.

Emerson’s leadership and contributions to the Woodmere Art Museum in Philadelphia, spanning several decades, further solidified her place as a notable figure in the art world. Her dedication to fostering artistic talent, curating exhibitions, and preserving cultural heritage at the museum underscores her commitment to the arts beyond her own creative endeavors.

Despite her significant contributions and lifelong dedication to the visual arts, Emerson’s work has, unfortunately, remained largely unrecognized until recently. However, her inclusion in the Icon Series serves as a belated acknowledgment of her talent, influence, and enduring legacy.

Emerson’s paintings can be found in prestigious collections such as the Philadelphia Museum of Art, La Salle University Art Museum, and, fittingly, the Woodmere Art Museum, ensuring that her artistic legacy endures for future generations to appreciate and admire.

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Dāra Haskins

Dara Haskins (b.1992 Baltimore, MD) has rooted her practice in Philadelphia, working primarily in painting oil portraits and figurative oil and mixed media paintings. Addressing the ways the black body has been represented and looked at throughout history, she challenges the identity of being seen and unseen connecting historical content to contemporary spaces and how that relationship coexists. She is currently working on a series called Havana Time expressively from her own photographs of people she spent time within Cuba. Her large to small-scale paintings of objects, people, and places connect daily in domestic environments within the African diaspora. She is also working on a series called Quarantine Paintings that reflects on dealing with isolation, time, and opportunity during the pandemic of COVID-19. Haskins received her BFA at The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in 2019. Winning the Artist of the Week from Rush Art Gallery (May 2020) and The J. Henry Scheidt Memorial Travel Scholarship to Cuba (2019). She currently lives and works in Philadelphia.

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Violet Oakley

Violet Oakley, born in 1874, was a pioneering American artist known for her contributions to mural painting, illustration, and stained glass design. In the early decades of the twentieth century, she broke barriers in the male-dominated field of mural decoration, establishing herself as a trailblazer in the realm of public art.

One of Oakley’s most significant achievements was becoming the first woman artist in the United States to receive a commission for a public artwork. This commission resulted in a mural that still adorns the Pennsylvania State Capitol, showcasing her talent and significance in American art history.

Among Oakley’s notable works is the iconic altarpiece titled “Life of Moses,” located at the Fleisher Art Memorial in South Philadelphia. Commissioned by Samuel Fleisher, an influential supporter of the arts and advocate for public art education, this piece highlights Oakley’s ability to blend artistic skill with profound storytelling.

Oakley’s artistic journey was intertwined with her studies and teaching at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. Additionally, she was associated with Philadelphia’s The Plastics Club, a group dedicated to promoting art for its intrinsic value. Her studio, located at 13th & Chestnut, served as a hub of creativity and innovation.

Upon Oakley’s passing, her life partner, Edith Emerson, who is also recognized in the Icon Series, donated Oakley’s extensive body of work to the Woodmere Art Museum. Oakley’s art can be found in numerous prestigious collections, including the Philadelphia Art Museum, The Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center at Vassar College, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Drexel University, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Violet Oakley’s legacy endures not only through her remarkable artworks but also through her trailblazing spirit, which continues to inspire generations of artists and art enthusiasts alike.

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Wanda Payne

Wanda Payne’s journey as an artist is a testament to her dedication and talent. Born and raised in West Philadelphia, she discovered her love for visual arts at a young age. Despite receiving some formal training at Moore College of Art and the Art Institute of Philadelphia, Payne is predominantly self-taught, demonstrating her innate talent and passion for her craft.

Upon entering the art scene, Payne quickly garnered attention and acclaim from collectors. Her unique style and powerful artistic vision captivated audiences, establishing her as a notable figure in the local art scene.

One of her notable works, “Highwire,” was selected for the Icon Series due to its striking visual impact, which mirrors Payne’s own impact on the local art community.

Payne’s commitment to her roots is evident as she continues to reside and create in West Philadelphia. Her work has been showcased in numerous galleries, including Rush Arts Philadelphia, Trunc, Hudson Guild Gallery, City Arts Salon, and Boston Street Gallery. Additionally, her artistic contributions extend beyond gallery walls, as evidenced by her commissioned mural, “Sowing Desire,” which adorns her neighborhood.

Through her art, Wanda Payne not only expresses her creativity but also contributes to the cultural vibrancy of her community, leaving a lasting impression on all who encounter her work.

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Ellen Powell-Tiberino

Ellen Powell-Tiberino was indeed a remarkable African-American artist, leaving an indelible mark on Philadelphia’s art scene. Born in 1937, her journey to becoming a celebrated artist reflects both talent and resilience.

Powell-Tiberino’s artistic talents were evident from a young age, leading to a scholarship from the City of Philadelphia to attend the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. Throughout her prolific career, she created a diverse body of work, primarily focused on figurative and expressionist art forms. Her pieces often depicted the experiences and history of Black people, with a particular emphasis on women, portrayed in rich, haunting hues that conveyed depth and emotion.

Despite her passing in 1992, Powell-Tiberino’s influence on Philadelphia’s art community remains significant. Her legacy is honored through institutions like the Tiberino Museum in Powelton Village, which preserves and celebrates her work for future generations. Additionally, her impact extends to contemporary artists, including her daughter, Ellen Tiberino, who continues to contribute to the vibrant artistic landscape of the city.

Powell-Tiberino’s works are treasured in numerous collections, including those of prestigious institutions such as the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the October Gallery, the Museum of African American Art in Tampa, and the African American Museum in Philadelphia. Through her art and her enduring legacy, Ellen Powell-Tiberino continues to inspire and enrich the cultural heritage of Philadelphia and beyond.

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Ellen Tiberino

http://www.tiberinomuseum.com

Ellen Tiberino is a mosaic and ceramic artist, Assistant Director at an arts nonprofit community education center, and teacher with over 15 years’ experience as an artist and ten years in specialty education including after school lead teacher, curriculum development and artist workshop development and execution. Born to visual artist parents, Ellen has developed as a prominent artist herself.

Ellen began assisting late Philadelphia artist Joe Brenman on murals, and later took part in Mural Arts’ Neighborhood Time Exchange Residency in 2018. She was also part of the inaugural cohort of the Philadelphia Fellowship for Black Artists in 2020. In 2021, Ellen painted a mural at Suburban Station entitled Opposing Forces as part of the third phase of the Color Me Back: A Same Day Work and Pay Program. These days, Ellen’s art is being featured in the new TV show Bel-Air on Peacock.

Ellen works with stained glass in a method of mosaic, which she equates to “painting with glass.” Nature is one of her biggest inspirations, in which she is constantly amazed and astounded by the natural world around her, and she seeks to glorify it in her artwork.

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