It is the absolute pleasure of the Free Library of Philadelphia to add our congratulations to Benjamin Volta. His work Diligence was recently recognized by the Americans for the Arts as one of 50 outstanding public arts projects from 2018. And where is this stunning, award-winning mural to be found, you ask? Well, at our very own Tacony Library!

The project was commissioned by the Office of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy's (OACCE) Percent for Art Program and yours truly, the Free Library of Philadelphia. Diligence was one of four site-specific artworks commissioned at neighborhood libraries across the city through our Building Inspiration: 21st Century Libraries Initiative. Commissioned artists, including Volta, engaged in a Knight Foundation-funded community immersion process in their respective library’s neighborhood that deeply informed their artistic process and proposal.

The OACCE manages and oversees City arts programs, provides services to artists and arts organizations, and serves as the primary point of municipal contact for local organizations, businesses, artists, and creative entrepreneurs. As Philadelphia’s local arts agency, the OACCE works in cooperation with the Mayor, City Council, and other City offices to make Philadelphia a great place to live, work, and visit. It was a pleasure for the Free Library to work with OACCE to commission Benjamin Volta's (now award-winning!) work.

Don't take our word for it, though—or even this national recognition bestowed upon Diligence. Go see it for yourselves at Tacony Library!