First Friday Opening A Huge Success

A Porch Light symbolizes warmth and security. It is an invitation to a safe space sheltered from the most challenging elements; a space where one can truly be well. In light of recent national tragedies, the need is greater than ever to work together towards achieving health and wellness in Philadelphia. Since 2007, Mural Arts Philadelphia and the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS) have worked closely together with behavioral health agencies and communities across the city to co-create public art as an expression of community resilience and a vehicle for personal and community healing, while improving the physical environment. This collaboration is called The Porch Light Program and has resulted in 18 completed public art projects, including 17 large-scale murals, and six ongoing mural projects across Philadelphia. Porch Light Program public art projects focus specifically on mental health and substance use, as well as other issues that significantly influence our mental health, including faith and spirituality, homelessness, trauma, immigration, war and community safety and tensions.

For the first time, the public was able to view the entire collection of Porch Light public art projects through the exhibition opening held on March 1 at the Trust Building (249 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA). Almost 1000 people walked through the exhibition on Friday night and explored this groundbreaking approach to improving public health through public art. The Porch Light Program exhibit features the completed and ongoing public art projects and takes you along the journey of how participatory public art about healing and wellness is crafted. Through the exhibit, viewers are invited explore the initial phases of a project(ENGAGE), delve into the important, challenging, and rewarding subsequent phase(COLLABORATE), and finally take in the power of all the completed public art works(GENERATE).

If you missed the opening, don’t fret! We are opening the doors to the exhibition once again on Thursday, March 14 at 6pm for a Gallery Talk and Reception featuring city leaders, artists, partners, and participants. Hear from those who have been a part of this exciting work at all levels, enjoy the artwork, and join us in supporting this exciting work!

“Porch Light is not simply a series of projects – it is a participatory process and road to renewed freedom and strength. By working together to build a supportive community we have the power to create hope and illuminate the darkness of hardship and the joy of healing.” – Joseph P. Blake, Project Partner