As part of Hispanic Heritage Month, the City of Philadelphia’s Creative Philadelphia office, in collaboration with Councilmember Quetcy Lozada and City Council President Kenyatta Johnson, inaugurated the art exhibition Philadelphia in the Semiquincentennial on October 9 at City Hall.

Creative Philadelphia invited local artists to express what it means to be Hispanic in Philadelphia, asking them to explore their cultural heritage, reflect on contemporary social issues, and share personal narratives. The exhibition features the work of 32 artists and two community organizations: Photography Without Borders and Norris Square Neighborhood Project.

The result is an extraordinary showcase of local art, including painting, photography, sculpture, ceramics, paper masks, and mixed-media works. The exhibition brings together visual artists with decades of experience, including Marta Sánchez, Alberto Becerra, José Sebourne, Johnny Irizarry, and Pedro Fuller, among others, as well as artists from younger generations.

The Jiménez family, of Puerto Rican descent, presented works by Elba, founder of Philadelphia’s first Latino art gallery; her sister María; and her grandson Aries. Their works explore the figure of the jíbarito, which holds personal and cultural significance and is associated with rural workers, stewards of the land, and the knowledge they carry through their daily work.

Elba and María’s parents are Puerto Rican, while their maternal grandparents were born in Sicily, Italy. Their grandfather, Bonanao, brought his family to live on the Caribbean island.

María’s work also celebrates the iconic coquí frog and Little Italy in Luquillo, Puerto Rico. Meanwhile, Aries’s acrylic painting conveys the impact of Hurricane María and presents the flamboyán tree as a symbol of the strength of the Puerto Rican people.

Among the artists who reflected on contemporary social issues was Mexican artist David Enríquez, who was born in Oaxaca, Mexico, and works in painting, sculpture, and ceramics.“My works reflect my feelings about immigration and my own experience as an immigrant. I see what is happening, and many communities feel that they are not protected,” he said.

His acrylic-on-paper work, titled Mean Reads, features shades of blue. Enríquez explained that the color represents “the feelings of anxiety, fear, and depression I experienced for many months when all those raids began, and immigrants were detained and deported to countries that were not their own.”

Councilmember Quetcy Lozada emphasized the importance of including family stories that reflect the struggles and cultures of Latino communities in the exhibition. She also thanked Tu Huynh, Curator of Exhibitions and Programs, for organizing the show.

The Mexican folkloric dance group Tonantzin, under the musical direction of Pamela Plata, participated in the opening ceremony, which brought together artists and their families.

The 32 selected artists, listed alphabetically by last name, are Marlene Adler, Lyn Álvarez, Alberto Becerra, Margery Cedano, Sebastián Colón, Jael Conde, David Enríquez, Linda Fernández, Pedro Fuller, Johnny Irizarry, Aries Jiménez, Elba Jiménez, Victoria Leach, Katsi Lozada, Benny Martínez, Aasya Monroe, Eric César Morales, Ziania Narváez, Génesis Pérez, Justin Plant, Alex Rivera, Amber Rivera, Shawnick Rodríguez, Nitza Rosario, Marta Sánchez, José Sebourne, Martha Sierra, María Torres, Jacqueline Unanue, Vanessa Vega, Ayiana Viviana, and Francesca Williams.

The exhibition also includes work by students from Norris Square Neighborhood Project: Aiyana Bailey-Lyles, Shantel Baylor, Isabella Díaz, Paige Henderson, Lenni Robles, Gaby Rodríguez, and Raúl Vázquez Jr.

The exhibition Philadelphia in the Semiquincentennial will remain open through December 4 on the second, third, and fourth floors of City Hall, in the northeast corner of the building. Visitors must present identification to enter.