We Here Community Forum: Clay Heals Minds

Register here for the free event! Registration is required to attend the forum.

Mural Arts will celebrate the artists and community members behind We Here in an afternoon of conversation and convening around art and ideas. Hosted by We Here’s Community Advisory Committee of Kensington residents and Curator of Public Engagement Megan Voeller, the program debuts a preview of a documentary short by Colibri Workshop and a first glimpse at a children’s book.

The Forum features lead artist Roberto Lugo in conversation with Tony Award-winning playwright and poet Lemon Andersen, followed by a roundtable on the arts, behavioral health and community wellbeing with speakers from By Faith Health and Healing; Hispanic Community Counseling Services; the City of Philadelphia; the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services; and Mural Art’s Porch Light Program.

11 a.m. – Children’s Book Reading & kid’s activities with Frank Berrios, Roberto Lugo & Meghan Galloway-Edgar

12 p.m. – Lunch & Forum Welcome: Megan Voeller & CAC Members

12:20 p.m. – Documentary Preview: Colibri Workshop

12:40 p.m. – Roberto Lugo in dialogue with Lemon Andersen

1:15 p.m. – Panel Discussion: Arts Access & Mental/Behavioral Health in Kensington

Nadia Malik, Mural Arts Porch Light Director – Moderator

Brenda Mosley, Executive Director, By Faith Health & Healing

Val Gay, Chief Cultural Officer, City of Philadelphia

Hector Ayala, CEO Latino Behavioral Health Coalition

Representative, Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services

2 p.m. – Closing Remarks: Jane Golden

2 – 3:30 p.m. – Celebration!

After the forum, enjoy hands-on clay sculpting activities with Lugo and We Here artist Nitza Walesca Rosario, a Polaroid photo booth at Lugo’s monumental sculpture with artist Daisie Cardona, music, games and refreshments, and tour Taller’s cultural corridor with Experience Eastern North.

All activities are free and open to the public; families are most welcome! Programs will occur in English.