Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Images of Our Mural

There will be more images of the finished mural coming soon, but I wanted to get a few images posted.




Click to Enlarge

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Celebrating our Work

We had a great article in the Philadelphia Daily News on May 20, check it out.

On May 1 we had a great community celebration, with many people helping tell the story of this project. A film and slide show about the project was being projected on the wall as we listed to live music, ate and shared stories with new friends.

It was one of those special and authentic community arts events where you had to be there in person to fully appreciate the feelings of pride in our work. There have been a number of participants who wrote lengthy articles about their experience in Collective Imprints. This project really was a ground breaking experience, and something that I hope will live on not only on the walls of the Rotunda but in the hearts and minds of all who participated in the project in someway. Until the very end new people were coming to get involved. Clearly people in Philadelphia love community arts.



Rashida describing the mural.











Jodi leads a community movement response to the mural.













Ben describing the mural.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

1 year. over 100 imprints. 1 unique art installation. community arts

The Rotunda unveils Collective Imprints
1 year. over 100 imprints.
1 unique art installation. community arts

PHILADELPHIA - On Thursday, May 1, 2008, The Rotunda will unveil the
Collective Imprints
art installation, a
collectively-produced work of visual art that celebrates the life and history of The Rotunda, local history and folklore, and visions for future neighborhoods and communities.

pictured: collective imprints participantThis piece will remain on permanent display at The Rotunda (in a most interesting place), reminding audiences and performers that The Rotunda is a vital connector that inspires genuine dialogue and social change.

Collective Imprints, the first project of its kind in Philadelphia, is unique in that it employed dialogue, movement, music-making, and holistic collaboration from all participants. Everyone was welcome to brainstorm, move, make music, draw, paint, and collaborate on designs. Never before has such a long term multi-faceted and inclusive project been open to the general public in this city. We believe that future projects will be born of this, fostering long lasting connections between disparate communities.




About the Unveiling

Please join us on May 1, from 6pm until 9pm at The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut Street in Philadelphia.

The unveiling will kickoff with music, light refreshments, a photo slide show, and a short presentation by some of the Collective Imprints participants, followed by an open jam session (bring your own percussion instrument).

Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend as we celebrate this historic project.

More about Collective Imprints

pictured: collective imprints brainstormingCollective Imprints was conceived last year by, among others, local community artist, muralist, and activist Michael B. Schwartz, and launched its first collaborative session on November 6, 2007. The work did not stop until the paint was dry last week.
pictured: paint table
The project started off with eye-opening and inclusive conversations about notions of belonging, place, community, activism, The Rotunda's mission, the arts, power of the people, and more. We also brought movement into the work as we explored new ways of brainstorming, using exercises shared by West Philadelphia multi-faceted artist Jodi Netzer. In addition, Bill Feiger, of Stares to Nowhere and other local acts, shared his musical instruments from around the world as we used sound and music to evoke even more ideas.

Shortly thereafter, we began to draw and paint images based pictured: collective imprints journal on ideas spawned during conversations and movement exploration. Nearly 150 people participated, seeking to strengthen connections within the greater Rotunda community while building a sense of ownership and interconnectivity to the surrounding area.

Participants ranged from 5 year old school children to college students, teachers, doctors, professors, truck drivers, homemakers, and much more. On Martin Luther King, jr. Day alone, nearly 80 people spent their Day of Service working on Collective Imprints!

Support for this project was provided in part by
The Puffin Foundation Ltd. and the 40th Street Artist-in-Residence program.

Monday, April 7, 2008

Installation Time!

Well its the final stage of the Collective Imprints project, more opportunities to finish up your project, eat, paint, listen to music and install the work!

THIS Wed, April 9 at 6pm at the Rotunda
We will be doing a final touch up paint night, and meeting to talk about the unveiling

Tues April 22 6-9pm at the Rotunda
We will be listening in to election night results and starting the installation of the panels.

Wed April 23 12-6pm at the Rotunda
Installation - we need your help! Please let us know if your available!

MAY 1 - at the Rotunda
Grand Unveiling and Celebration - time TBA

Hope to see you soon! Congratulations to everyone on a successful and beautiful project.

Monday, January 21, 2008

Day 11: Martin Luther King Day of Service Paint Day


Today more than 70 people participated in our third Community Paint Day from 11am-3pm as part of the 13th annual Martin Luther King Day of Service.


You still have time to be involved in helping with this amazing community driven arts project Tuesday Jan. 22 from 6-8pm at the Rotunda.

Stay tuned to this blog for the installation and unveiling dates.


Here are some more great links to images that Bonnie Macallister sent in: (1) (2)

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Day 10: Painting Builds Community

As we enter the final mile of our project we invite everyone to come out to celebrate MLK Day by painting as a community. We are expecting a huge turn out, so bring your paint clothing and some friends and family.

Jan. 21 from 11am - 3pm at the Rotunda


To date more than 40 people from all walks of life have helped to design and paint this fantastic project. Each person brings their own style of painting, ideas and creative sensibilities.

The final workshop will be Jan 22 - 6-8pm, at the Rotunda, but it looks like we will add some more sessions to do final details, then install and seal the work. Stay tuned for information about the project unveiling as well.

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

Community Paint Days

Just a reminder that we will be having three *community paint days* for Collective Imprints in addition to the Tuesday sessions. All workshops are at the Rotunda. Please bring your friends and family, open to the general public.


* Sunday Jan 6, from Noon - 6pm*

* Saturday Jan 12, from Noon - 6pm*

* Monday Jan 21, 11am - 3pm* MLK Day of Service