As one of the storefront hubs of Mural Art’s Porch Light program, the Kensington Storefront was created in partnership with Mural Arts and the City’s Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIdS). Over the past five years, Mural Arts has expanded its impact in neighborhoods by developing and maintaining storefront hubs, such as Southeast by Southeast in South Philadelphia and Northeast Passage in Northeast Philadelphia. 

These physical spaces have paved the way for better connections with local communities and organizations, thanks to a dedicated footprint and extended time for interactions with staff and artists. The great success of SExSE and Northeast directly influenced the decision to also open a storefront hub in Kensington, an area of the city that has greatly been affected by issues like homelessness and drug abuse. The Kensington Storefront has made its mission to ensure that all of its neighbors feel welcome and that their voices are heard.

The Kensington Storefront Hub recently hosted a dedication for the Reaching Out mural, created by painter Gabe Tiberino and graffiti artist DISTORT. They completed significant engagement with Kensington community members, reflecting on what’s needed for community recovery, which informed their mural design. Keep an eye out for more events and news from the new Kensington Storefront Hub!