News

Who will be the new Tacony LAB Resident Artist?

Mural Arts Philadelphia’s Tacony LAB Community Art Center has released an artist call for the latest Artist Residency!

rectangular banner on a light post against a cloudy sky. A tree is visible in the lower right hand corner.

Mural Arts’ Tacony LAB Community Arts Center is seeking applications for an artist residency to take place Summer/Fall 2024 for a 3 month residency taking place from August 1, 2024 to October 31.

The goal of this artist residency is to create a new public artwork in the Tacony neighborhood while engaging the community in the Tacony LAB Community Arts Center. The Tacony LAB is located at 6918 Torresdale Avenue. The Tacony Community Development Corporation (CDC) is a co-sponsor of this residency and will be responsible for the production and installation of the banners once they are designed.

The final form for this artwork is a series of banners along a 1 mile portion of Torresdale Avenue through the neighborhood of Tacony. The artist will lead a community engagement process that highlights the neighborhood’s uniqueness and will ultimately create graphics which will be printed onto weather-proof materials as well as an exhibition of their work. As part of the residency, artists will spend approximately 8 hours per week at the Tacony LAB or in Tacony. Artists based in the Northeast or with connection to Tacony preferred.

The artist will be paid $6000 for this residency. A material budget of approximately $500 will be available for supplies and engagement. The artist fee will be paid at the end of each month in increments of $2,000.

Scherenschnitte at Glen Foerd

The Tacony LAB monthly workshop at Glen Foerd in March featured a deep dive into a part of the art collection of the mansion. The first floor features several small framed cut paper art pieces. Lori Raggio, the Tacony LAB lead kids club teacher, was able to develop a multi-part cut paper workshop so that participants could create their own version. The German word for this art is Scherenschnitte (pronouced -sher ren schnitta) means scissor cut. The workshop included premade patterns, contrasting papers that were cut using exacto knives and scissors.

Spring Maker Market Returns

The application form for the Spring Maker Market is now open. You can find the form and more information about participating in the market at this link.
Like all of our programming, participation in our maker markets is free!

All vendors must complete the form in order to be considered. Apply early as applications are accepted on a rolling basis and all of the spots may be filled before the deadline.

The poster for this event can be found here. Feel free to download and share!

Tacony LAB Maker market gives artists an opportunity to display their original art work for sale. The market takes place on the sidewalk in front of the Tacony LAB Community art center on Torresdale Avenue.

Our maker markets are accompanied by First Friday activities inside the Tacony Lab as well. In April we will be making light painting portraits!

Light Painting is a technique where you can use a flashlight or small source of light and create streaks of light in a photograph. It requires a camera on a tripod and a long shutter speed.
Feel free to download this artwork to help promote our First Friday Spring Maker Market! Right click on the image and choose save image as

Tacony LAB Showcases Northeast Philadelphia Artists!

On Friday March 1, Mural Arts’ Tacony LAB Community Art Center unveils its latest community art showcase. Featuring approximately 30 artists and over 50 pieces of artwork, the multi-use portion of the Tacony LAB will be packed with creativity and innovation. This show will remain on display until March 21, 2024 and available to view during open studio hours.

Since its inception as a community art center in 2017, the Tacony LAB has hosted numerous art exhibits to showcase the artwork of local artists.

Welcome

Welcome to the new version of the website for the Tacony LAB!  While we are still in the process of setting up our page, you can still find out about events

and programs at the lab.  Look for a hard launch in a few weeks, and check back for updates regularly!  Thanks for stopping by!

New Resident Artist Call!

Artist Residency Winter- Spring 2023:

Mural Arts Tacony LAB Community Arts Center is seeking artists to apply for an artist residency to take place Winter/Spring 2023,  February 2023 to April 2023.

The goal of this artist residency is to create new public art in the Tacony/Lower Northeast area while engaging the community in the Tacony LAB Community Arts Center.

Celebrating Five Years!

In September, the Tacony LAB celebrated five years as a community art center with a Maker Market followed by a make and take celebration! It was attended by Mural Arts Philadelphia Executive Director, Jane Golden, Councilmember Mike Driscoll, PA Representative Joe Hohenstein and PA House Candiate Pat Gallagher.