Press Release

“To promote art in the public sphere through community collaboration.”

For immediate release: The South-Philly Biennial
Saturday May 31st, noon – 6pm (rain date June 1st)
Outdoors, Italian market (9th and Christian)
Contact: Athena@baratfoundation.org
Athena.b.biz@gmail.com


Southphilly summer beings May 31st , in the bustling Italian Market on a parking lot next to The Dibruno Brother’s sandwich shop. The local population will witness as a network of emerging artists from Philadelphia, New York and Baltimore transform this normally unnoticed lot into a blooming multi media forest including sculpture, painting, drawing, video, and performance.

Anyone who passes through the space can become a rockstar with “The Live Karaoke Band Experience”, while everyone can expect face painting, fortune telling, and magic. Organizer Athena Barat says “the goal of this project is to have artists interact with a brand new audience, one that doesn’t expect art in the middle of the street.” She continues, “I think its important to keep the public on their toes to the fact that transformation can happen anywhere, while its important to keep artists on top of their game and able to communicate their vision with those of us unexposed to the art world. This is an experiment in communication, and I hope everyone involved walks away from the event better able to do so.”

The day will dazzle with performances by Sweatheart, a brass ensemble of students led by David Fishkin, Jimmy Cousins and his live band, the Magnet City Kids, girl group Tayaesha Busay, local legend Darren Finizio, dj sets by Robert Fransisco and the untamed antics of the World Café’s Showcase Family, Bonnie Showcase, as she hosts this summer’s extravaganza.

The South Philly Biennial is a project of the Barat Foundation and vision of local artist and organizer, Athena Barat. The Barat Foundation is a registered 501c3 not for-profit art and education foundation whose mission is to “transform lives through an interactive educational experience based on cultural exchange, artistic expression, humanistic values, and a commitment to each individual's creative potential”. A myriad of artists will be represented and present with their diverse world in this free and open public event.
The South Philly Biennial is working in partnership with local organizations and members of the community, artists and supporters alike, to kick off a truly extraordinary summer.
For further information on the event and a list of participating sponsers and artists please visit http://southphillybiennial.blogspot.com/ or email Athena@baratfoundation.org or athena.b.biz@gmail.com.