Migrant Imaginary

What is the future of migration in Philadelphia, and in the United States in general?

artists Layqa Nuna Yawar Ricardo Cabret

Migrant Imaginary © 2019 City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program / Layqa Nuna Yawar & Ricardo Cabret, 1902 South 4th Street. Photo by Steve Weinik.

  • location 4th and Mifflin
  • Neighborhood

    South Philadelphia

  • completion date

    October 25, 2019

Process Photos 

  • Photo by Steve Weinik.

  • Photo by Steve Weinik.

  • Photo by Steve Weinik.

  • Photo by Steve Weinik.

  • Artist Layqa Nuna Yawar works with Art Education students at the Southeast by Southeast hub space in South Philadelphia. Photo by Steve Weinik.

  • Artist Layqa Nuna Yawar works with Art Education students at the Southeast by Southeast hub space in South Philadelphia. Photo by Steve Weinik.

  • Migrant Imaginary by Layqa Nuna Yawar in-process, October 18, 2019. Photo by Steve Weinik.

  • Migrant Imaginary dedication, October 29, 2019. Photo by Steve Weinik.

  • Migrant Imaginary dedication, October 29, 2019. Photo by Steve Weinik.

About the Project 

What is the future of migration in Philadelphia, and in the United States in general? This is a question with evolving answers, but one thing is true: migration is an act of imagination and resilience. Up against geography, language, and other challenges, migrants’ imaginations create cities, communities, and culture wherever they go. In this multimedia project from Ecuadorian muralist and self-described migrant Layqa Nuna Yawar, middle school and high school students dove into these complex questions. After all, these dreams are what helped to create the city of Philadelphia, and continue to shape it to this day.

Youth from our ongoing programs at Southeast by Southeast community center and Furness High School learned about the history of immigration in Philadelphia through an artistic lens, reflecting on personal and external narratives. Their artwork informed the final mural design, and is archived online at migrantimaginary.muralarts.org, built with web developer Ricardo Cabret, who also taught students the fundamentals of HTML coding.

Partners 

Pennsport Civic Association
Southeast by Southeast
Furness High School

Funders 

Forrest C. and Frances H. Lattner Foundation
Surdna Foundation