Art + Community

Transforming Tragedy

Community Mural Project | 2021 – 2024

4 Community Artists Contribute to the Next Chapter
of Philly’s 1st Juneteenth Mural

ABOUT THE PROJECT

On June 19th, 1865, Gen. Gordon Granger issued General Order No. 3, which informed the people of Texas that all enslaved people were now free. He proclaimed: “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves.”… but The struggle for freedom continued… so the story continues through history to this very moment. Philadelphia’s first Juneteenth Mural was unveiled in June of 2023 at The Germantown ArtHaus (designed & produced by Founder Keisha Whatley of Custom Arts Studio)

On May 17, 2021, The Germantown ArtHaus hosted the Germantown Artist Summit, an open gathering for local creatives to learn about the newly acquired Germantown ArtHaus, and learn about a Community Artist Mural project, “Transforming Tragedy: A Gateway to Hope.” The concept was inspired by 2 songs (“Might Not Be OK,” by Kenneth Wallum and “Change Gonna Come,” by Sam Cooke).

Multiple artists agreed to participate in the unique creative challenge to create a piece of artwork (painted, 3-D relief, etc.) that honors the life of a victim of police brutality (or gun violence) AND points to a future where we need not create a mural like this ever again. Four artists stuck with the project until the end: Victoria Holmes (@vic_toriaholmes), Keshida Layone (@keshida.layone), Paige Lewis (@PinkTinyAngryMighty), and Kathryn Pannepacker (@kpannepacker).