Conrad Benner
@streetsdept.bsky.social
4.7K followers 520 following 700 posts
📍Your guide to Philly’s Art + Public Space since 2011! 🎧 Podcast, Art Outside 🎨 Curation, #StreetsDeptWalls 📸 Founded by Conrad Benner
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streetsdept.bsky.social
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!
streetsdept.bsky.social
As rainbow crosswalks are being eliminated in towns and cities across the country, Philly is hosting a conversation with LGBTQ+ artists and leaders about the importance of queer representation in the public space!

Learn more here: epgn.com/2025/10/14/m...
Mural Arts Philadelphia to celebrate queer art with ‘Love, Tribute, Joy’ panel - Philadelphia Gay News
In celebration of Mural Arts Month, Mural Arts Philadelphia is hosting a panel: Love, Tribute, Joy: Voices from the Philly LGBTQ+ Arts Scene.
epgn.com
Reposted by Conrad Benner
petallu.bsky.social
Vote YES #PA for all judges and all democratic candidates! 💙💙💙
streetsdept.bsky.social
Go Birds! Go Vote! As Philly D.A. Larry Krasner says, you've only got until October 20th to register for this crucial November 4th election that will decide the PA Supreme Court and our rights. Not to mention, you want to vote in next year's Midterms too.
streetsdept.bsky.social
What's extra frustrating is that this is happening because of a right-wing Billionaire (of course) Jeffrey Yass, who is attempting to use his fortune to reshape our courts, our rights, and our democracy. F$@* Yass, vote 'YES' to retain Donohue, Dougherty, and Wecht on November 4th!
streetsdept.bsky.social
I'll add this: On November 4th, we decide if PA's Supreme Court will follow the U.S. Supreme Court and possibly become a ultral-conservative majority aimed at taking away our rights. To prevent this, we have to vote 'Yes' to retain Justices Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty, and David Wecht.
streetsdept.bsky.social
Go Birds! Go Vote! As Philly D.A. Larry Krasner says, you've only got until October 20th to register for this crucial November 4th election that will decide the PA Supreme Court and our rights. Not to mention, you want to vote in next year's Midterms too.
streetsdept.bsky.social
Philly is the best city in the United States to be in if you’re a living artist who doesn’t come from generations of family wealth. 🦅
Reposted by Conrad Benner
jayrosen.bsky.social
"Journalists have until Tuesday at 5 p.m. to decide whether or not to sign the form. Those who do not must turn in their credentials a day later."

www.nytimes.com/2025/10/13/b...

Why have a credential system at all? Because both institutions got something out of it.
Several News Outlets Reject Pentagon’s Reporting Restrictions
www.nytimes.com
streetsdept.bsky.social
Located on the African American Museum at 7th and Arch Streets, this 2024 mural by Ernel Martinez with Mural Arts and Worth Rises advocates that we #EndTheException to the 13th Amendment.
streetsdept.bsky.social
4/4 This new mural reimagines the histories explored in the original mural. And it includes some new histories, like the creation of the Crane Community Center, a flagship mixed-use residential, retail, and community center for Chinatown.
streetsdept.bsky.social
3/4 So, over the last several years, neighbors have come together to talk about, advise, and approve a new re-imagination of this iconic mural created by a new artist, Chenlin Cai.
streetsdept.bsky.social
2/4 …the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation. (FYI: This construction includes commercial space on the ground floor and six apartments made affordable through Philadelphia Housing Authority project-based vouchers.)
streetsdept.bsky.social
1/4 Sometimes a mural is so beloved by its community that when it faces obstruction neighbors demand action!

That’s what’s happened with Chinatown’s “History of Chinatown” mural. The original mural, painted by Arturo Ho in 1996, will soon be obstructed by new construction from…
streetsdept.bsky.social
I’ve been mixing travel content with Philly content since my August Europe trip, and now I’m getting 2 million monthly views and reaching over 1 million people.

Is the universe telling me to travel more?! Wouldn’t mind being a part-time Rick Steves/Anthony Bourdain of art travel.
streetsdept.bsky.social
On October 30, I’m excited to bring together a group of LGBTQ+ artists and leaders to talk about sharing our stories in the public space! This is part of a special Mural Arts Month panel discussion we’re hosting at Broad Street Love.

Event is free, please RSVP: www.eventbrite.com/e/love-tribu...
streetsdept.bsky.social
ICONIC new collaborative wheatpaste spotted today by City Kitty, Sean 9 Lugo, and stikman.

P.s. We’ve got interviews with two of these artists–you know where to look!
streetsdept.bsky.social
The future of SEPTA is brilliant, keep fighting for it!
streetsdept.bsky.social
I seem to hold the unpopular opinion that I like the PMA‘s redesign! (And yes, I’m always gonna call the PMA.)

But, you can’t convince me that Smith & Diction, Creative Repute, or any number of Philly agencies couldn’t have done an equal or better job!
streetsdept.bsky.social
Today, I’d like to announce that I’m officially rebranding to… 🥁🥁🥁

The Dept of Streets
streetsdept.bsky.social
Featuring 16 murals painted by 16 internationally acclaimed street artists, this district of murals in Copenhagen has been called one of the largest open-air galleries in Northern Europe!
streetsdept.bsky.social
Nearly done posting the videos I’ve created about my 10-day trip to Copenhagen this August. But one of the biggest things that is sticking with me is just how different a place can look and feel when its third spaces are actually invested in. From public transit to parks to street infrastructure.
streetsdept.bsky.social
Friday night, Philly remembered hitchBOT on the 10th anniversary of its fateful visit to our fair city.