The Free Library of Philadelphia is delighted to announce four new site-specific public art commissions at neighborhood libraries across the city. The art will be placed at four of the libraries undergoing renovation and expansion through the Building Inspiration: 21^st Century Libraries Initiative: Lillian Marrero Library (6^th Street and Lehigh Avenue), Logan Library (Wagner Avenue), Lovett Memorial Library (Mount Airy), and Tacony Library (Torresdale Avenue).

After a competitive process, four artists were selected to engage in a Knight Foundation-funded community immersion process in their respective library’s neighborhood. These community meetings informed the artistic process and the development of these proposals, which received Art Commission approval in March 2016. The artists for these public art commissions are Julia Staples (Lillian Marrero), Ife Nii Owoo (Logan), Cooper O’Neil (Lovett Memorial), and Benjamin Volta (Tacony).

Support for the implementation of these projects is provided by the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy’s Percent for Art Program, which will co-manage the projects alongside the Free Library of Philadelphia.

Congratulations artists!