Art Ignites Change - Mural Arts Month in Philadelphia PA

In celebration of Mural Arts month  we attended MuraLab: Live, a lecture series sponsored by the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program and held at the WHYY auditorium.  The speakers include Michelle Freeman, a community connector, Swoon, a street artist, Gabe Tiberino, visual artist, Connor Barwin, Philly Eagles linebacker, Miquel Robles Duran, urbanist , Betsy Casanas, activist, Josh Goldblum, digital designer, and Poet and performer Ursula Rucker.  Each shared their unique perspective and passion for art and community.

Mural of Poet and Performer Ursula Rucker

Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Conner Barwin (r) participating in a panel discussion about his charity and his dedication to community involvement with Jane Golden (c) Executive Director of Philadelphia Mural Arts.

Designer Stephen Burks at Roche Bobois in Philadelphia

  

As part of Design Philadelphia and Old City Fest, center city furniture store Roche Bobois hosted world renowned African American industrial designer Stephen Burks. “The Traveler Collection” was created by Burks for Roche Bobois’ 40th anniversary. It is a collaborative concept that connects America and Europe through travel and furniture. Burks studied architecture at the Illinois Institute of Technology, and product design at IIT’s Institute of Design, in Chicago where he was born and raised. Today he works out of his New York-based design studio called ReadymadeProjects. This multifaceted style star designs everything from retail interiors, to events, to lighting, furniture and home accessories. His  other A list Clients  include  Audi, B&B Italia, Cappellini, Clinique, Estee Lauder, Herman Miller, Ligne Roset, Missoni, Swatch, Target, and Vitra USA.  His mission is to develop sustainable products and to work with and provide income to local artisan in developing countries. He recently collaboration with West African Senegalese basket weavers from New York and Dakar on a lighting project. The lighting is made from traditional woven baskets but reconfigured to showcase them in unusual yet functional ways. A recipient of numerous awards, Burks travels the globe talking about his passion for design gathering inspiration and motivating others to do good works.