On 52nd Street in West Philadelphia, an urban art renaissance is taking root. Urban Art Gallery (UAG) is nestled between Spruce and Locust Street, at the heart of this artistic awakening. The gallery's founder, Karl Morris, has evolved from art enthusiast to community patron by transforming a building into a vibrant creative hub. We sat down with Karl to discuss his journey, his upcoming Urban Art Fest 52, and his vision for Philly's urban art scene.
A Mailman's Creative Detour
Forbidden Fruit: Your background is pretty unique for a gallery owner. Can you tell us more?
Karl Morris: You're right, it's not your typical path. I've been a mailman for 30 years, which doesn't exactly scream "art world." But I've always been an art lover.
For years, I've spent my free time exploring galleries, soaking in all kinds of art. That passion, plus my experience in real estate, led me to where I am today.
FF: How did the idea for Urban Art Gallery come about?
KM: It was a mix of things coming together at the right time. I had this building from my real estate investments, and I wanted to do something special with it. Not just another barbershop or hair salon – nothing wrong with those, but we had plenty already.
I was also talking to local artists who were struggling to break into the Center City gallery scene. It felt like a closed club to them. At the same time, I was chatting with my children about giving back to our community. All of these different pieces – my love for art, the needs of local artists, and wanting to contribute to our neighborhood – came together to form the idea for Urban Art Gallery.
Stepping Stone for Artists
FF: UAG seems to play a crucial role in the local art ecosystem. Can you elaborate on that?
KM: Absolutely. We position ourselves as a stepping stone for artists. I always say, "Use us until you can get to the next phase." This applies not just to visual artists but musicians as well. We host music showcases for performers who might not have a large following yet. It doesn't make sense for them to rent out a large venue like the TLA when they only have 50 fans. Here, they can build their audience and maximize this space before moving on to bigger venues.
Our goal is to be that crucial local launch pad. We understand how important it is for artists to have a gallery in their community as a starting point. From here, they can build the momentum needed to break into those Center City galleries and potentially take their art around the world.
The Birth of Urban Art Fest 52
FF: You're gearing up for Urban Art Fest 52. What inspired you to create this Festival?
KM: Urban Art Fest 52 has been a vision of mine for the past five years. The inspiration came from attending art festivals in places like Manayunk and Rittenhouse Square. I thought, "If they can do it in those locations, why can't we do it right here in our hood?"
One thing I noticed at other festivals was that while they're great events, the majority of the artists weren't from our community. There's nothing wrong with that, but I wanted to create something where we could flip those numbers. It's like FUBU—For Us, By Us. We're not excluding anyone, but we want to create a space that reflects and celebrates our community's talent.
FF: What impact do you hope the festival will have on the neighborhood?
KM: This festival is about more than art—it's about showing what's possible in our community. We're creating an activation at a scale that hasn't been seen here before. It's a signal to West Philadelphia that we care about our neighborhood and we're actively working to have a positive impact.
By bringing all these people together, we're amplifying our culture and showcasing the beauty of 52nd Street. We want to demonstrate that there are organizations here doing meaningful work and contributing to the vibrancy of our community.
Community Engagement and Support
FF: How can the community get involved with Urban Art Gallery?
KM: The most important thing we ask of our community is simply to show up. We offer a variety of free programs, and our main request is for people to participate. Bring your children, enjoy the different events we're hosting. The more people who engage with what we're doing, the more we can spread the word about our presence and mission.
We're not asking for monetary contributions—just your presence and support. One of my favorite phrases is "Support the arts," and that's really what it comes down to. Whether it's attending an exhibition, participating in a workshop, or just stopping by to see what's new, every visit helps strengthen our community's artistic foundation.
Advice for Artists
FF: What advice would you give to an artist just starting out in the urban art scene?
KM: The key is to commit to your craft and continuously work on honing your skills. Learn as much as you can about your medium and the art world in general. But beyond that, in today's landscape, it's crucial to leverage social media.
Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok are powerful, free tools to get your work out to the masses. Use these platforms to build your audience and create a digital portfolio of your work.
Also, don't be afraid to engage with local galleries and art spaces. Places like UAG exist to support emerging artists, so take advantage of these resources in your community.
The Future of the Urban Art Renaissance
FF: What can people expect from the upcoming Urban Art Fest 52?
KM: We're pumped about what we've put together for this Saturday, August 17th, 2024. We've teamed up with the African Cultural Art Forum to bring 25 amazing artists to 52nd Street. They'll be set up in tents along the block, creating that classic festival vibe. This is just the start – we're dreaming big, hoping to grow to two or three blocks next year, maybe even stretching all the way to Malcolm X Park one day.
We're not just about visual art, though. We've got six bands lined up to perform throughout the day. It's going to be a real celebration of our community's creative spirit, blending art you can see with music you can feel.
This first event is our chance to show what's possible. We know we can grow to 50, 75, even 100 artists in the future, but we need this first one to be unforgettable. We're laying the groundwork for something we hope will become a must-see event on Philly's cultural calendar.
Urban Art Gallery is a launchpad for rising talents, sparking community engagement & opportunities for local artists.
Morris’ vision for West Philly's art scene is bold and inspiring. UAG is nurturing a cultural rebirth that is primed to reshape Philadelphia's artistic landscape.
Urban Art Fest 52 is this Saturday, August 17th, 2024. If you're looking to be part of this movement or just want to experience the creative energy of West Philly, swing by Urban Art Gallery.
Follow UAG on social media @urbanartgallery
Check out www.urban-artgallery.com for more info.
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