Conrad Benner
@streetsdept.bsky.social
📍Your guide to Philly’s Art + Public Space since 2011!
🎧 Podcast, Art Outside
🎨 Curation, #StreetsDeptWalls
📸 Founded by Conrad Benner
🎧 Podcast, Art Outside
🎨 Curation, #StreetsDeptWalls
📸 Founded by Conrad Benner
Pinned
Conrad Benner
@streetsdept.bsky.social
· Apr 10
Philly was recently named the “Best City for Street Art.” And if you’re interested in learning more about this dynamic world, I’d love to invite you to check out my podcast with WHYY called, Art Outside!
I just went to a new coffee shop in South Philly that had pastries AND regular old Philly pretzels. Why is this not everywhere?!
Every kid who grew up in Philly had pretzels as a snack for lunch. Let’s bring it back and into our coffee culture. An afternoon pretzel with my coffee sounds ideal.
Every kid who grew up in Philly had pretzels as a snack for lunch. Let’s bring it back and into our coffee culture. An afternoon pretzel with my coffee sounds ideal.
November 26, 2025 at 7:05 PM
I just went to a new coffee shop in South Philly that had pastries AND regular old Philly pretzels. Why is this not everywhere?!
Every kid who grew up in Philly had pretzels as a snack for lunch. Let’s bring it back and into our coffee culture. An afternoon pretzel with my coffee sounds ideal.
Every kid who grew up in Philly had pretzels as a snack for lunch. Let’s bring it back and into our coffee culture. An afternoon pretzel with my coffee sounds ideal.
Philly: Don’t miss this incredible exhibition, “The Source of Self-Regard," on view at Inliquid (1400 N American Street) until November 29. Curated by Tayyib Smith, the exhibition features artworks by Erlin Geffrad, Zakee Kuduro, Gianni Lee, Al-baseer (ABH) Holly, Ron St. Clair, and Mel D. Cole!
November 25, 2025 at 3:16 AM
Philly: Don’t miss this incredible exhibition, “The Source of Self-Regard," on view at Inliquid (1400 N American Street) until November 29. Curated by Tayyib Smith, the exhibition features artworks by Erlin Geffrad, Zakee Kuduro, Gianni Lee, Al-baseer (ABH) Holly, Ron St. Clair, and Mel D. Cole!
As the third Rocky statue is installed this week (at the airport), there are now almost as many Rocky statues in Philly as there are monuments to actual historic women.
Who are some women you’d like to see honored with a future monument in Philly?
Who are some women you’d like to see honored with a future monument in Philly?
November 23, 2025 at 11:57 PM
As the third Rocky statue is installed this week (at the airport), there are now almost as many Rocky statues in Philly as there are monuments to actual historic women.
Who are some women you’d like to see honored with a future monument in Philly?
Who are some women you’d like to see honored with a future monument in Philly?
With today’s third Rocky statue being installed in Philly, there are almost as many Rocky statues as there are monuments to actual historic women anywhere in Philadelphia.
www.associationforpublicart.org/apa-now/stor...
www.associationforpublicart.org/apa-now/stor...
The (Few) Monuments to Women in Philadelphia - Association for Public Art
A look at some of the few existing monuments and memorials to women in Philadelphia and their backstories.
www.associationforpublicart.org
November 22, 2025 at 3:22 AM
With today’s third Rocky statue being installed in Philly, there are almost as many Rocky statues as there are monuments to actual historic women anywhere in Philadelphia.
www.associationforpublicart.org/apa-now/stor...
www.associationforpublicart.org/apa-now/stor...
It’s Philadelphia in 2045, and every intersection has a Rocky statue.
November 22, 2025 at 3:09 AM
It’s Philadelphia in 2045, and every intersection has a Rocky statue.
Wait, why is City Hall purple?
November 22, 2025 at 2:54 AM
Wait, why is City Hall purple?
This weekend, across the country, exhibitions and events will be taking place to push back against authoritarianism and corruption in the US. Together, they’re called Fall of Freedom.
November 21, 2025 at 10:04 PM
This weekend, across the country, exhibitions and events will be taking place to push back against authoritarianism and corruption in the US. Together, they’re called Fall of Freedom.
Gave a fun lecture last night for the people of the William Penn House!
November 21, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Gave a fun lecture last night for the people of the William Penn House!
Artist Rose Luardo is back with her now annual(?) absurdist installation in the triangle of nothing at Washington and Passyunk Avenues. This year, we get Crab Couch! Perhaps a not-so-subtle wink and nod at the location’s previous life.
November 20, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Artist Rose Luardo is back with her now annual(?) absurdist installation in the triangle of nothing at Washington and Passyunk Avenues. This year, we get Crab Couch! Perhaps a not-so-subtle wink and nod at the location’s previous life.
Reposted by Conrad Benner
My hometown has great art, even if the museums happen to be closed when you pass through. But if you love great art, come and visit. The public art. The PAFA. Barnes Foundation. Rodin Museum. Philadelphia Museum of Art. The new Calder Museum. All a few blocks away.
Why does Philly have so much public art? Because we demand it! Come learn about Philly‘s historic Percent for Art mandate. A history-making work of dual legislations that cities across the country are still emulating to this day.
November 20, 2025 at 2:45 AM
My hometown has great art, even if the museums happen to be closed when you pass through. But if you love great art, come and visit. The public art. The PAFA. Barnes Foundation. Rodin Museum. Philadelphia Museum of Art. The new Calder Museum. All a few blocks away.
Reposted by Conrad Benner
I love running into public art all over #Philly! Had a similar experience when walking around Berlin many years ago, it says a lot about the character of a city.
Why does Philly have so much public art? Because we demand it! Come learn about Philly‘s historic Percent for Art mandate. A history-making work of dual legislations that cities across the country are still emulating to this day.
November 20, 2025 at 1:37 AM
I love running into public art all over #Philly! Had a similar experience when walking around Berlin many years ago, it says a lot about the character of a city.
Why does Philly have so much public art? Because we demand it! Come learn about Philly‘s historic Percent for Art mandate. A history-making work of dual legislations that cities across the country are still emulating to this day.
November 20, 2025 at 1:06 AM
Why does Philly have so much public art? Because we demand it! Come learn about Philly‘s historic Percent for Art mandate. A history-making work of dual legislations that cities across the country are still emulating to this day.
I said what I said! 🦅
November 17, 2025 at 11:11 PM
I said what I said! 🦅
Amy Sherald‘s “American Sublime” at the Baltimore Museum of Art is magnificent. You’ve got until April 2026 to check it out!
And if you didn’t know, Philly is actually home to Amy‘s only large-scale outdoor mural, located at 11th and Sansom Streets!
And if you didn’t know, Philly is actually home to Amy‘s only large-scale outdoor mural, located at 11th and Sansom Streets!
November 17, 2025 at 1:03 AM
Amy Sherald‘s “American Sublime” at the Baltimore Museum of Art is magnificent. You’ve got until April 2026 to check it out!
And if you didn’t know, Philly is actually home to Amy‘s only large-scale outdoor mural, located at 11th and Sansom Streets!
And if you didn’t know, Philly is actually home to Amy‘s only large-scale outdoor mural, located at 11th and Sansom Streets!
Abolish ICE by Manuela Guillén.
November 15, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Abolish ICE by Manuela Guillén.
Just got to see the Amy Sherald exhibit at the Baltimore Museum of Art. It’s incredible! Video to come.
November 14, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Just got to see the Amy Sherald exhibit at the Baltimore Museum of Art. It’s incredible! Video to come.
One of my favorite art facts is that graffiti has always existed.
Medieval Graffiti on these marble choir pillars displayed at the Phila museum of Art. The security guard pointed these out to me n my friends.
November 14, 2025 at 2:34 PM
One of my favorite art facts is that graffiti has always existed.
Spotted in South Philly.
November 12, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Spotted in South Philly.
Reposted by Conrad Benner
The Epstein files are clearly more damning than we assumed, which is saying something.
November 12, 2025 at 7:57 PM
The Epstein files are clearly more damning than we assumed, which is saying something.
I feel like we can do better in Philly! Maybe the entrance escalators can be mural tunnels with art from local artists?! The rest of the airport has so much incredible local art. We gotta do better with our entrances to inspire locals and give the best first impression to visitors!
November 12, 2025 at 1:52 AM
I feel like we can do better in Philly! Maybe the entrance escalators can be mural tunnels with art from local artists?! The rest of the airport has so much incredible local art. We gotta do better with our entrances to inspire locals and give the best first impression to visitors!
Everyone’s freezing face in Philly today, knowing it should absolutely still be fall.
November 11, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Everyone’s freezing face in Philly today, knowing it should absolutely still be fall.
David Guinn’s “Schuylkill Falls” is located on JFK a half block west from 30th Street. David created the project with Justin Geller, 10th Floor Productions, Sid, and Le Josh for Brandywine Realty at Schuylkill Yards.
November 10, 2025 at 12:22 AM
David Guinn’s “Schuylkill Falls” is located on JFK a half block west from 30th Street. David created the project with Justin Geller, 10th Floor Productions, Sid, and Le Josh for Brandywine Realty at Schuylkill Yards.
Philly’s newest work of public art was a gift from art collectors and Penn alumni, Glenn Fuhrman and Amanda Fuhrman. Titled "Rui Rui," the sculpture is by famed artist Jaume Plense, who’s perhaps best know for “Crown Fountain” at Millennium Park in Chicago.
November 8, 2025 at 11:51 PM
Philly’s newest work of public art was a gift from art collectors and Penn alumni, Glenn Fuhrman and Amanda Fuhrman. Titled "Rui Rui," the sculpture is by famed artist Jaume Plense, who’s perhaps best know for “Crown Fountain” at Millennium Park in Chicago.
Reposted by Conrad Benner
This week's column is about balancing the legacy of the past with the needs of the present.
www.inquirer.com/opinion/edit...
www.inquirer.com/opinion/edit...
The weight of history falls on Philly neighbors and museum’s CEO | Shackamaxon
Historic district neighbors find it hard to change, while Philadelphia Museum of Art CEO Sasha Suda is out after she changed too much.
www.inquirer.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:18 PM
This week's column is about balancing the legacy of the past with the needs of the present.
www.inquirer.com/opinion/edit...
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!
November 7, 2025 at 2:13 AM
Here’s the history of Philly‘s Front Street Walls project, which is now curated by me (#StreetsDeptWalls) with Mural Arts and CookNSolo!