City Officials Join Summer Campers and Local Artists to Kick Off … – Philadelphia Water Department

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City Officials Join Summer Campers and Local Artists to Kick Off TheOval Pop-Up Park on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Presented by WSFS Bank, TheOval Philadelphias beloved pop-up park is back with a new large-scale mural and site design, live performances, local vendors, a beer garden, family-friendly programming, and more!

PHILADELPHIA Today Philadelphia Parks & Recreation joined City Representative Sheila Hess, Mural Arts Philadelphia, and The Parkway Council to launch the 2023 summer season of TheOvalpop-up park at EakinsOvalon the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Presented by WSFS Bank, the seven-week summer series will kick off with a performance from SNACKTIME tonight, Friday, July 7th at 6:30 p.m.

Philadelphians love their parks, and we love a block party,said City Representative Sheila Hess.TheOvalis our citywide block party, and this year there is an exciting lineup of free family-friendly fun for all to enjoy.

TheOvalis open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from July 7th to August 20th with the following hours:

TheOval2023 is presented by WSFS Bank.

Summer campers from nearby recreation centers attending todays kick off event enjoyed a preview concert from Lets Rock Recess, the Philly Kids DJ, and a summer staple at TheOval.

TheOvalsummer pop-up has become a must-go destination for anyone looking to enjoy all the ways Philly summers are special,said Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Interim Commissioner Orlando Rendon.From breathtaking views down the Parkway to live music and an exciting lineup of local food and drink vendors, theOvalis the perfect spot to get together under the sun and enjoy one of Philadelphias most iconic parks.

Each summer, the footprint of TheOvalpop-up is defined by a new, dynamic ground mural designed by Mural Arts Philadelphia. This year, Philadelphia-Based Artist Nathaniel Lee designed a Benjamin Franklin-inspired mural to be installed as the centerpiece of this years activation. The design tells the story of Ben Franklins mythical kite experiment, featuring interactive elements and tributes to Philadelphia classics.

Complementing the mural, Groundswell Design Group created a site-specific installation to provide shade, seating, and countless opportunities for passive recreation.

The theme of this summersOvalis a fun riff on the legend of Benjamin Franklins kite experiment and an ode to his lasting impact on the city of Philadelphia today,said Mural Arts Philadelphia lead artist Nathaniel Lee.The mural depicts this scene from Franklins perspective, with a few twists. Philadelphias skyline sits on the distant horizon, and the patterns on the kites silk handkerchiefs feature various Philly motifs ranging from the Liberty Bell to the LOVE statue.

Mural Arts is excited to bring TheOvalto life for thousands of visitors to the Parkway this summer,said Jane Golden, Executive Director of Mural Arts Philadelphia.We are proud to partner with Parks & Rec to enrich Center Citys cultural hub with public art that ignites energy and offers a stunning visual to frame Philadelphias most exciting summer pop-up!

Philadelphias MilkBoy is back to host a 21,000-foot Beer Garden amongst the trees at theOval. Enjoy shaded seating, beers on top, nonalcoholic beverages, and other sweet treats from new partner Forn.

TheOvalfeatures a busy schedule of cultural, youth, and family programming for all ages. Highlights include:

Visitors will enjoy lawn games, childrens play structures, and a variety of seating in the sun and shade.

The Parkway Council is excited to partner with Parks & Recreation on this summersOvalpop-up festival,said Scott Cooper, President of the Parkway Council.TheOvalshows the potential the Benjamin Franklin Parkway has as an activated and beautiful urban park for all. We look forward to working with our partners to realize this vision for the entire Parkway, year-round.

For full event listings, visit:https://www.phila.gov/spotlight/the-oval/.

Follow TheOvalon Twitter and Instagram at @TheOvalPHL

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Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR)advances the prosperity of the city and the progress of its people through intentional and sustained stewardship of nearly 10,200 acres of public land and waterways as well as through hundreds of safe, stimulating recreation, environmental and cultural centers. PPR promotes the well-being and growth of the citys residents by connecting them to the natural world around them, to each other and to fun, physical and social opportunities. PPR is responsible for the upkeep of historically significant Philadelphia events and specialty venues, and works collaboratively with communities and organizations in leading capital projects and the introduction of inventive programming. To learn more about Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, visit us atwww.phila.gov/parksandrec, and follow @philaparkandrec on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

TheParkway Councilis a coalition of institutions, residences, and businesses along Philadelphias Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The Council works to accelerate the transformation of the Parkway into a great urban park filled with exceptional cultural and educational institutions, inviting gardens, active public spaces, and dynamic programming that welcomes and engages everyone.

Mural Arts Philadelphiais the nations largest public art program, dedicated to the belief that art ignites change. For more than 35 years, Mural Arts have united artists and communities through a collaborative and equitable process, creating over 4,000 artworks that have transformed public spaces and individual lives. Mural Arts aims to empower people, stimulate dialogue, and build bridges to understanding with projects that attract artists from Philadelphia and around the world and programs that focus on youth education, restorative justice, mental health and wellness, and public art and its preservation. Popular mural tours offer a firsthand glimpse into the inspiring stories behind Mural Arts iconic and unparalleled collection, which has earned Philadelphia worldwide recognition as the Mural Capital of the World. For more information, call 215-685-0750 or visitmuralarts.org. Follow along on social media: @muralarts onTwitterandInstagram, @MuralArtsPhiladelphiaon Facebook, andphillymuralartson YouTube.

TheOvalis made possible, in part, thanks to the generous support of presenting sponsor WSFS Bank.

About WSFS Financial Corporation WSFS Financial Corporation is a multibillion-dollar financial services company. Its primary subsidiary, WSFS Bank, is the oldest and largest locally-headquartered bank and trust company in the Greater Philadelphia and Delaware region. As of March 31, 2023, WSFS Financial Corporation had $20.3 billion in assets on its balance sheet and $65.6 billion in assets under management and administration. WSFS operates from 119 offices, 92 of which are banking offices, located in Pennsylvania (61), Delaware (39), New Jersey (17), Virginia (1) and Nevada (1) and provides comprehensive financial services including commercial banking, retail banking, cash management and trust and wealth management. Other subsidiaries or divisions include Arrow Land Transfer, Bryn Mawr Capital Management, LLC, Bryn Mawr Trust, The Bryn Mawr Trust Company of Delaware, Cash Connect, NewLane Finance, Powdermill Financial Solutions, WSFS Institutional Services, WSFS Mortgage, and WSFS Wealth Investments. Serving the Greater Delaware Valley since 1832, WSFS Bank is one of the ten oldest banks in the United States continuously operating under the same name. For more information, please visitwww.wsfsbank.com.

Meet the team

Nathaniel Leeis a staff artist who has worked with Mural Arts Philadelphia since 2007. He graduated from the University of the Arts with a BFA in Illustration in 2004. Nathaniel was the lead painter of the first Park on the Parkway ground mural installation at theOvalin the summer of 2013 and has provided artistic and technical support for it at several points since then. He is now honored to be chosen as designer and lead painter for this summers 2023Ovalmural installation!

Groundswell Design Groupis a Philadelphia-based studio that creates vibrant urban, participatory spaces. David Fierabend launched the practice in 2006 and today, a tightly knit group of landscape architects, urban planners, and interior designers work to create uniquely authentic spaces that speak to the local community, both newly developed and revitalized. Groundswells interdisciplinary work has reframed how public space can be activated in collaboration with the local community in cities across the country. Notable projects have included: River Garden in Memphis, TN, Cherry Street Pier in Philadelphia, PA, and Downtown Detroit Activations in Detroit, MI.

MilkBoy Philadelphia

Philadelphia-born MilkBoy encompasses live-music venues, bars, restaurants, film, and their Grammy-winning recording studio. MilkBoy is the brainchild of music industrys Jamie Lokoff and Tommy Joyner.MilkBoy the Studiowas originally founded nearly 30 years ago and is now internationally recognized as a premier recording studio for musical artists ranging from James Taylor, Jazmine Sullivan, Silk Sonic, Patti Labelle, Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry, Lil Wayne, Lil Uzi Vert, Dave Matthews, Erykah Badu, Miley Cyrus to The Roots. Every live show, every late-night drink, every dish from the kitchen at MilkBoy it is all inspired by MilkBoys roots in music and the thriving music scene that got it all started.

Fornis a cafe with two locations in East Kensington offering a robust coffee and cocktail program, house-made wine, and an evening culinary program, alongside daytime bites. Anchored by an ethos of collaboration and connection, forn hosts culinary pop-ups, features limited-release beverage partnerships, and serves as a retailer for international and local lifestyle and apparel brands.

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City Officials Join Summer Campers and Local Artists to Kick Off ... - Philadelphia Water Department