South Street Businesses Seek Artists for Banner Project

The South Street Headhouse District is inviting 15 to 20 artists for a lamppost banner project hat celebrate the corridor's spirit and history. The deadline to apply is Friday, Jan. 30. Selected artists will receive a dedicated page on the district's website to showcase their work.

Applicants with backgrounds in painting, illustration, or graphic design are encouraged to apply and should submit three to five samples, along with a concept description. Submissions must include work samples and brief descriptions of how the artists would represent South Street in the banners.

According to PhillyVoice, the banners project was created to acknowledge South Street's heritage as a cultural and nightlife hub. The district traces its roots to early Swedish and Dutch settlement, as well as to the Southwark Theatre and the 1960s counterculture era. 

"This is a beautification project with a goal of supporting and highlighting Philadelphia's creative community," the South Street District said in an Instagram post. 

Stretching from Front Street to 11th Street, and extending along Fourth Street from Lombard to Christian, the South Street Headhouse District encompasses notable sites such as the Headhouse Shambles, Isaiah Zagar's Magic Gardens, and Fabric Row.

Eleanor Ingersoll, who became the South Street Headhouse District's executive director two years ago, explained to the PhillyVoice that she wanted to reinvigorate the banner program on South Street to reflect the community through art more thoughtfully.

"After the last two years, spent stabilizing the budget and creating a more robust events schedule, it was time to turn to the physical identity of the District — as it was a bit rudderless," Ingersoll said. "The members of the Vision Committee were committed to having South Street visually embrace its artistic roots."