Jacque Liu – Public Art Consultant

Permanent Public Artwork: Julia Staples. Shared Voices, Common Hearts. 2018. Site: Free Library of Philadelphia – Marerro Branch, Philadelphia, PA. Project Budget: $17,500. Funded through Percent for Art.

Partners: Free Library of Philadelphia, Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation

* More Images Below Text

From 2017–2018, the Free Library of Philadelphia completed major capital renovations on five library sites through its Building Inspiration: 21st Century Libraries Initiative. Building Inspiration was made possible by several transformative gifts in a unique partnership between the public and private sectors, underscored by a historic $25 million gift from the William Penn Foundation—the largest private gift ever received by the Library at the time.

Each of the neighborhood libraries were transformed to be more attractive and welcoming, featuring dedicated space for different age groups and reading levels, places for informal gathering, as well as community meeting space, all while also ensuring full ADA accessibility. Each renovated library is designed to have spaces for unique public programming, in response to identified community needs. The libraries were equipped with new technology and internet access to aid school-age leaners, job searchers, and individuals seeking to access to health and social services.

Julia Staples’ Shared Voices, Common Hearts consists of a series of portrait photographs of neighborhood residents. Set against culturally inspired background patterns, the images reflect the diverse and multigenerational library community. These timeless images pay tribute and respect to the lives and heritage of the people of Fairhill, Philadelphia.

I served as the Percent for Art Project Manager on this project.