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Screenprint and print sale popup with Steve Powers at a former bank at 1201 Spring Garden Street. Photo by Steve Weinik.

How ESPO transformed an empty bank into a work of art

Philly-famous for his A Love Letter For You mural series along SEPTA’s Market-Frankford Line in West Philadelphia, Stephen (ESPO) Powers returned to his hometown in December 2019 to transform an empty building into a screen-printing pop-up shop with flair.

The building at 1201 Spring Garden Street operated for many years as a bank and was filled to the brim with visitors on Saturday, December 21, as ESPO screen-printed BYO items and sold his work, a portion of the proceeds going to benefit Mural Arts Philadelphia.

ESPO’s work on the exterior of the building features call-backs to his Love Letter series and helps reimagine the space as something full of creativity and promise.

This work will be visible at the bank building through March 2020 thanks to a collaboration with Arts + Crafts Holdings. Mural Arts plans to host a series of events in the space through the Spring – stay tuned for details!

Screenprint and print sale popup with Steve Powers at a former bank at 1201 Spring Garden Street. Photo by Steve Weinik.
Screenprint and print sale popup with Steve Powers at a former bank at 1201 Spring Garden Street. Photo by Steve Weinik.
Screenprint and print sale popup with Steve Powers at a former bank at 1201 Spring Garden Street. Photo by Steve Weinik.
Screenprint and print sale popup with Steve Powers at a former bank at 1201 Spring Garden Street. Photo by Steve Weinik.
Screenprint and print sale popup with Steve Powers at a former bank at 1201 Spring Garden Street. Photo by Steve Weinik.
Screenprint and print sale popup with Steve Powers at a former bank at 1201 Spring Garden Street. Photo by Steve Weinik.
Screenprint and print sale popup with Steve Powers at a former bank at 1201 Spring Garden Street. Photo by Steve Weinik.