This week's column is about balancing the legacy of the past with the needs of the present. www.inquirer.com/opinion/edit...

Here’s the history of Philly‘s Front Street Walls project, which is now curated by me (#StreetsDeptWalls) with Mural Arts and CookNSolo!

You know his name, now get to know the artist: streetsdept.com/2025/11/05/a...

This is just a fun reminder that a Philly artist (Fabiola Laura) designed THE “vote” sticker for Instagram, and a Philly artist/company can easily create the next PMA redesign!

🗳️🗳️🗳️

This morning, I stopped by the Share Food Program to learn how you can get help and give help to your neighbors in Philly right now during the government shutdown.

The Philly collab I’ve been dying for

Sometimes you just have to go appreciate the art of your city with the people who love doing the same! If you don’t know Philly With Lena yet, you will. And if you’ve walked by this mural a million times without truly noticing it in all its glory, slow down next time you’re in the neighborhood!

Pennsylvania vote YES on all three Supreme Court judges on November 4th!

For last month’s Streets Dept Excursion, we checked out murals in West Philly, including this 20-year-old landmark from artist Ana Uribe! Located at 47th and Upland Streets, the mural was created with kids from the neighborhood and celebrates the power of mentorship!

New wheatpaste by Symone Salib on South Broad Street in Philly. If you have the means, find ways to support those who might soon to be facing new or growing food insecurities. Talk to your neighbors; donate to community fridges, food banks, and food programs.

TOMORROW!!!

What a gorgeous piece of work!

Philly’s newest mural was hand-painted by artist Sāgar Kāmath in one of the windows of the Wanamaker building. Created with Mural Arts Philadelphia and #StreetsDeptWalls, the artwork was inspired by a collaboration Opera Philadelphia!

If you have ever noticed a little something extra on Philly’s street sign poles, allow us to introduce you to Amy Orr! (Video created with words from Streets Dept Lead Contributor, Eric Dale.)

Today we learn about Getting to Green, a multi-layered project that is encouraging Philadelphians to use SEPTA to get to our city’s public green spaces! The project is guided by Shira Walinsky and Laura Deutch, who I interview for this video.

Proud to be a judge for the 17th annual Kensington Kinetic Derby, and to get a front row view of all the action! I love this city so much ❤️🦅

Pennsylvania: The Courts

✅ Donohue ✅ Dougherty ✅ Wecht ✅ TELL EVERYONE #PennsylvaniaElection

Last night, I had the honor of hosting the Artblog farewell party. For over an hour, the floor was open for people to share memories and admiration for this remarkable 22 year effort. Libby and Roberta started something so incredibly special that benefited Philly‘s art community in countless ways!

I want all my PA peeps to know that if we MUST note this upcoming November 4th. Judges are IMPORTANT! Tell your friends.

PHILLY/ PA: Vote on November 4, and vote YES on all three PA Supreme Court judicial retentions! 🗳️✅ #PACourtsMatter #PAVotes #StayInformed #ProtectPACourts

If you saw me almost get hit by a car at 18th and Walnut on this day, no you didn’t! (I accidentally walked on red when I didn’t notice the light had changed. Sorry to the person who laid on their horn at me.)

We’re looking for an LGBTQ+ Philly artist to help us paint history in 2026! Application is open until November 2: www.phillyvoice.com/mural-arts-q...

Love this playful reclamation of adspace!

Today we learn more about Theodore A. Harris’ “Thesentür: Conscientious Objector to Formalism,” on view now at 15th and Morris Streets in Point Breeze!

Next week, I’ll be on a panel with other local creatives talking about the business of making art in an emergency. If you’re interested, would love for you to join: www.frankcreativesolutions.com/rw-happy-hou...

Perfectly situated between a park that’s popular for dogs and an actual dog park, this new mural by artist Emily White celebrates man’s best friends! Featuring 10 neighborhood dogs (and one guinea pig), you can find it on North 3rd Street between Poplar Street and Liberty Land Park!

Philly’s No Kings rally was exactly what you thought it would be! 🦅

Let the record show: the building owner, the developer, the arts community, and many great neighbors tried very hard over several years to keep one of our city’s most historic works of public art preserved in the creation of a new building project.

If you’ve been in Old City anytime over the last two years, you’ve likely seen a massive new mural slowly start to go up at 4th and Market Streets. This is the story of that freehanded mural, from artist Sophie Roach, as the project nears completion!

Wait, who’s your favorite comedian in Philly right now?

Well before social media became a place for video, Streets Dept (started in 2011) was documenting the art of Philly’s public space with photography. So, as Spooky Season 🎃 nears, I thought it’d be fun to throwback to Kid Hazo’s “Gr-‘IT’-ty.” Installed in 2018 at Front and Bainbridge Streets!

As rainbow crosswalks are being eliminated in towns and cities across the country, Philly is hosting a conversation with LGBTQ+ artists and leaders about the importance of queer representation in the public space! Learn more here: epgn.com/2025/10/14/m...

Vote YES #PA for all judges and all democratic candidates! 💙💙💙

Go Birds! Go Vote! As Philly D.A. Larry Krasner says, you've only got until October 20th to register for this crucial November 4th election that will decide the PA Supreme Court and our rights. Not to mention, you want to vote in next year's Midterms too.

Philly is the best city in the United States to be in if you’re a living artist who doesn’t come from generations of family wealth. 🦅

"Journalists have until Tuesday at 5 p.m. to decide whether or not to sign the form. Those who do not must turn in their credentials a day later." www.nytimes.com/2025/10/13/b... Why have a credential system at all? Because both institutions got something out of it.

Located on the African American Museum at 7th and Arch Streets, this 2024 mural by Ernel Martinez with Mural Arts and Worth Rises advocates that we #EndTheException to the 13th Amendment.

1/4 Sometimes a mural is so beloved by its community that when it faces obstruction neighbors demand action! That’s what’s happened with Chinatown’s “History of Chinatown” mural. The original mural, painted by Arturo Ho in 1996, will soon be obstructed by new construction from…

I’ve been mixing travel content with Philly content since my August Europe trip, and now I’m getting 2 million monthly views and reaching over 1 million people. Is the universe telling me to travel more?! Wouldn’t mind being a part-time Rick Steves/Anthony Bourdain of art travel.

New sign by Emeyewhisky.

On October 30, I’m excited to bring together a group of LGBTQ+ artists and leaders to talk about sharing our stories in the public space! This is part of a special Mural Arts Month panel discussion we’re hosting at Broad Street Love. Event is free, please RSVP: www.eventbrite.com/e/love-tribu...

ICONIC new collaborative wheatpaste spotted today by City Kitty, Sean 9 Lugo, and stikman. P.s. We’ve got interviews with two of these artists–you know where to look!

The future of SEPTA is brilliant, keep fighting for it!

I seem to hold the unpopular opinion that I like the PMA‘s redesign! (And yes, I’m always gonna call the PMA.) But, you can’t convince me that Smith & Diction, Creative Repute, or any number of Philly agencies couldn’t have done an equal or better job!

Today, I’d like to announce that I’m officially rebranding to… 🥁🥁🥁 The Dept of Streets

Featuring 16 murals painted by 16 internationally acclaimed street artists, this district of murals in Copenhagen has been called one of the largest open-air galleries in Northern Europe!

Nearly done posting the videos I’ve created about my 10-day trip to Copenhagen this August. But one of the biggest things that is sticking with me is just how different a place can look and feel when its third spaces are actually invested in. From public transit to parks to street infrastructure.

Friday night, Philly remembered hitchBOT on the 10th anniversary of its fateful visit to our fair city.