Love + Grit Storefronts Project Transforms Empty Spaces Into Art Installations

BEZOEK vandaag PHILADELPHIA^® announced the launch of the Love + Grit Winkelpuien Project, an extension of its popular Love + Grit-podcast, aimed at reinvigorating and beautifying the city’s empty storefronts by transforming them into art installations. The citywide exhibition features original creations by 12 QBIPOC (queer, Black, Indigenous, people of color) artists that highlight 24 Black- and Brown-owned businesses adversely affected by COVID-19 and gives fans of the art a chance to win nearly $2,000 in prizes from these vital businesses.

The integrated marketing initiative is part of VISIT PHILADELPHIA’s continuing efforts to support Black- and Brown-owned businesses and supplement the City of Philadelphia’s commitment to cultivating and growing small, diverse businesses. It is funded in part by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

On view through the holidays, the art appears in 14 storefronts in multiple neighborhoods — from Chinatown and Roxborough to Northern Liberties and Northwest Philly. Curated by photographer Conrad Benner (of photo blog Streets Dept.) and curator Ginger Rudolph, the installation features works by Fabiola Laura, Tash Billington and Nazeer Sabree, to name a few.

“We’re ecstatic that the Love + Grit Storefronts Project is beautifying the city, building civic pride, shining a light on local QBIPOC artists and supporting the Black- and Brown-owned businesses that are so vital to our neighborhoods,” said Rachel Ferguson, chief innovation & global diversity officer, VISIT PHILADELPHIA. “The love and grit, creativity and resilience of Philadelphia’s artists and entrepreneurs are the soul of this city, and the campaign demonstrates what Philly does best: Turn loss into inspiration and empty spaces into opportunity.”

Each artist collaborated with two businesses that served as the inspiration for their custom-made digital artwork. The full list of artists and businesses is available hier.

Shop Black Business Friday:

In addition to beautifying the city, the project encourages Philadelphians to shop Black- and Brown-owned businesses during the holiday season and beyond — an effort that will be reinforced by the City of Philadelphia through the second year of its Shop Black Business Friday initiative, taking place each Friday in December of 2021. Introduced by The Honorable Cherelle L. Parker, the resolution aims to support the jobs, revenue and economic impact generated by these vital businesses.

“It should come as no surprise that the holiday season is a make-or-break time for most retail businesses, and Uncle Bobbie’s is no different. We do everything we can to make the end of the year a huge success,” said Justin Moore, general manager. “That’s why we’re excited to be working with VISIT PHILADELPHIA on this initiative, and we’re hoping that having this platform will introduce us to future customers who will think of us when it’s time to buy gifts for their friends and family.”

Love + Grit-loterij:

Fans of the art can enter the Love + Grit Sweepstakes, giving them a chance to win a $2,000 prize package with more than 20 gifts curated from some of Philly’s best Black- and Brown-owned stores — many of which are featured in the exhibit. Among the prizes: beauty and wellness products from A Man’s Cave and Ursula’s About Phace Rittenhouse Makeup Studio, clothes from The Modern Republic and  Harriett’s Bookshop, and homewares from YOWIE and Roberto Lugo Studio. Participants can enter the sweepstakes at visitphilly.com/winkelpuien or through the QR code featured on each of the 24 pieces of art. The contest is open through December 30, 2021.

BEZOEK PHILADELPHIA^® is onze naam en onze missie. Als het officiële marketingbureau voor toerisme van de regio bouwen we aan het imago van Greater Philadelphia, stimuleren we het bezoek en stimuleren we de economie.

Op de officiële bezoekerswebsite en blog van Greater Philadelphia, visitphilly.com en uwishunu.com, kunnen bezoekers activiteiten, aankomende evenementen, thematische reisroutes en hotelarrangementen ontdekken. Aantrekkelijke foto's en video's, interactieve kaarten en gedetailleerde bezoekersinformatie maken de sites tot effectieve hulpmiddelen voor het plannen van reizen. Samen met de sociale mediakanalen van Visit Philly communiceren de online platforms rechtstreeks met consumenten. Reizigers kunnen ook bellen of langsgaan bij het Independence Visitor Center voor aanvullende informatie en tickets. 6^th & Market Streets, (800) 537-7676

Opmerking voor redacteuren: Voor foto's in hoge resolutie en high-definition B-roll van Greater Philadelphia kunt u terecht in de sectie Foto's & video's van visitphilly.com/mediacenter.