Conrad Benner

streetsdept.comAnnouncing Summer/Fall ‘26 Excursions, Plus Bonus Evening ToursStreets Dept Excursions are curated, guided walking tours exploring the art of Philadelphia. After 15 years running Streets Dept, we’ve learned a lot about the art and artists that are defining our…

15 July

Our next two Streets Dept Excursions are coming up quick–come explore the art around Philadelphia! streetsdept.com/2026/07/15/a... @billy-penn.bsky.social

Philly‘s own David Guinn has been creating murals in his hometown–and around the country–for the past (almost) 30 years. And this week on the Streets Dept Podcast, I talk with David about building his landmark career. Find it now wherever you get your podcasts! @rowhomeproductions.bsky.social

Just tried to convince my friend that a pretzel is a Philly pastry. Thoughts?

events.ticketleap.comStreets Dept Excursion: The History of Philly MuralsStreets Dept Excursions are guided tours of Philly's art and public space! Each month we lead curated walks around the "mural capital of the world." While the focus and location of each month's Excurs...

The weather is wonderful, and tomorrow morning we've got our second to last tour of the 2026 season! Join us: events.ticketleap.com/tickets/stre...

Honored to have led a special Mural Arts Month tour with Mural Arts’ Founder, Jane Golden, last night!

streetsdept.comStreets Dept Podcast, Ep. 9: Painting Philly with David GuinnDavid Guinn has been painting murals in his hometown of Philadelphia for nearly 30 years. In “the mural capital of the world,” as Philly is often referred, David’s journey as an artist, muralist, a…

The Streets Dept Podcast is back with new episodes, starting with this conversation with one of our city‘s most beloved muralists, David Guinn: streetsdept.com/2026/10/22/s...

Conrad Benner reposted

Come explore Philly's art world with Streets Dept! Next week, I've got two neighborhood Excursions: THURS 10/22, 5 PM-6:30 PM – Solidly South Philly: events.ticketleap.com/tickets/stre... SAT 10/24, 11 AM-12:30 PM – The History of Philly Murals (Fairmount): events.ticketleap.com/tickets/stre...

1/2 “Proximity” is a remarkable street photography exhibition on view now through November 1st at Cherry Street Pier! Featuring work by Public Ledger members Dan Eshleman, Eric DeJesus, Fernanda Gándara, Mekhi Greene, Nazir Wayman, Roshan Basil, and exhibition curator Sammy Rivera,…

2/2 “Proximity” recreates the artists’ photos as a life-size, diorama-style installation, with elements printed to scale, cut apart, and arranged in 3D space. Among other things, the exhibition explores how street photographers engage with their communities and surroundings.

1/2 For the next 90 days, a local artist collective–Members’ Work–has transformed a previously vacant Market Street storefront into a gallery featuring artworks and items made from reused materials. This is one of many storefront activations as part of the Meantime project.

2/2 "Past Lives: Surfaced by Skilled Hands" by Members’ Work is an exhibition of transformation and craft, located at 924 Market Street. It's on view now through December 31 (check out their IG page for times: @membersworking).

1/2 Illuminate Philly came back again–this time to East Passyunk in South Philadelphia! This incredibly executed creative event offers Philadelphians an opportunity to see their neighborhoods in a new light (literally).

2/2 And the crowds that show up at these events only_to me the importance that we invest in Philadelphia’s nightlife. Folks clearly wants stuff to do later at night aside from bars and restaurants! Congrats to everyone involved in this. Can’t wait to see where is next!

designphiladelphia.orgDesign Outside: Who Designs The City?Join Inga Saffron, architecture critic for The Philadelphia Inquirer, and Conrad Benner, founder of Streets Department and longtime journalist, artist, and advocate for street art, for a conversation ...

Tomorrow:

Conrad Benner@streetsdept.bsky.social

Next Wednesday (10/7 at 5:30 PM), join me and Inga Saffron for a one-on-one DesignPhiladelphia conversation about the art and design of Philly's public space at the Step Outside exhibition! Event is free, we just ask that you RSVP: designphiladelphia.org/events/view/...

Philly: Don’t miss your flight! The Bearded Ladies’ Hairport and “Priority Hoarding A Retrospectacle” is open now through December 20. And I could not recommend it more highly!

beardedladiescabaret.comBearded Ladies CabaretThe Bearded Ladies Cabaret is a queer experimental cabaret company based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that produces homegrown performance goodness locally, nationally, and abroad.

More Info: beardedladiescabaret.com

El and Subway trains every 3-4 minutes, and Regional Rail trains every 15 minutes, would revolutionize Philly’s system. People will ditch cars/Ubers when the service is that regular and reliable.

events.ticketleap.comStreets Dept Excursion: Exploring the New in Old CityStreets Dept Excursions are guided tours of Philly's art and public space! Each month we lead curated walks around the "mural capital of the world." While the focus and location of each month's Excurs...

Have you ever seen a mural being created?! We've got one more Streets Dept Excursion this month, and it's this Saturday. This tour includes a special stop in a local artist's studio to see a mural being painted on mural cloth! Get your tickets here: events.ticketleap.com/tickets/stre...

events.ticketleap.comBest-Of Excursion: Gayborhood Mural Walk (Early Evening)Streets Dept Excursions are guided tours of Philly's art and public space! Each month we lead curated walks around the "mural capital of the world." While the focus and location of each month's Excurs...

Philly: It's a WONDERFUL day for a little stroll. And there's still a few tickets left to my 5 PM walking tour of the public art of Philly's Gayborhood! Come join us: events.ticketleap.com/tickets/stre...

17 Sept

1/2 "Echoes Beyond the Stage" is a collection of 12 large-scale banner artworks by artists Nile Livingston and De’von Downes created through a deep community engagement and research process centered on the history, cultural impact, and neighborhood relationships surrounding the Highmark Mann Center…

17 Sept

2/2 The artworks explore the emotional atmosphere created when music extends beyond the stage and becomes woven into daily life. Created with Mural Arts, the project was curated and managed by #StreetsDeptWalls/ Conrad Benner. Special thanks to Wynnefield and Parkside neighbors.

Conrad Benner reposted

PHILLY: We’ve got two more Streets Dept Excursions at the end of this month–come explore Philly’s art world! 📍Gayborhood Mural Walk (THURS 9/24, 5-6:30 PM): events.ticketleap.com/tickets/stre... 📍 Exploring the New in Old City (SAT 9/26, 11 AM-12:30 PM): events.ticketleap.com/tickets/stre...

events.ticketleap.comBest-Of Excursion: Solidly South Philly (Early Evening)Streets Dept Excursions are guided tours of Philly's art and public space! Each month we lead curated walks around the "mural capital of the world." While the focus and location of each month's Excurs...

3 Sept

Join Us – Our rescheduled Streets Dept Excursion exploring the art of South Philly takes place this evening starting at 5 PM! There’s still a few tickets left: events.ticketleap.com/tickets/stre...

2 Sept

On September 1–2, 2021 parts of Philly were flooded by Hurricane Ida. This video captures a long walk I did around Center City, including the flooding of I-676 and the Schuylkill River Trail.

1 Sept

1/3 Initiated in 2023 and completed in 2025, this is a piece of the story of Marian Bailey's "We’re Not Done Yet," located at 23rd and Wharton Streets in Point Breeze! "This mural reflects the weight of the past, the urgency of the present, and the hope we hold for the future…”

1 Sept

2/3 “It’s a bold, vibrant tribute—especially to Black women and femmes—honoring those who have built foundations, created change, and shaped what’s possible. Through color, movement, and layered meaning, the mural serves as both a mirror and a love letter to those who make us feel seen." -Bailey

1 Sept

3/3 Created with Mural Arts, curated by Streets Dept Walls/ Conrad Benner, and with support by assisting artists Donna Grace Kroh and Michele Scott. Special thanks to the New Gethsemane Baptist Church of South Philadelphia and Point Breeze neighbors.

Conrad Benner reposted

27 Aug

Because of the lightning, I’ve postponed today’s Streets Dept Excursion exploring the street art and murals of South Philly until next Thursday (9/3, 5 PM - 6:30 PM)! Which also means, tickets are still available! Get yours here: events.ticketleap.com/tickets/stre...

27 Aug

27 Aug

P.s. Our tours are ticketed, and these tickets help support the work of Streets Dept!

Conrad Benner reposted

25 Aug

Join us for a Best-Of Streets Dept Excursion this Thursday evening (8/27, 5-6:30 PM)! On this tour, I'll be walking you around South Philly to see all kinds of incredible artworks. Get your ticket here: events.ticketleap.com/tickets/stre...

25 Aug

22 Aug

Saw a little piece of history today: new LeBron James Sixers merch being delivered to South Fellini!

events.ticketleap.comStreets Dept Excursion: Art on East MarketStreets Dept Excursions are guided tours of Philly's art and public space! Each month we lead curated walks around the "mural capital of the world." While the focus and location of each month's Excurs...

21 Aug

Still a few tickets left for tomorrow’s tour!

Conrad Benner@streetsdept.bsky.social

On SAT 8/22 (11 AM - 12:30 PM) – JOIN US for the next original Streets Dept Excursion! This month we’ll uncover one of Philly’s most unexpectedly art-filled corridors, East Market Street, where incredible works are hiding in plain sight. Get your ticket here: events.ticketleap.com/tickets/stre...

Conrad Benner reposted

14 Aug

14 Aug

Next time you’re at Spruce Street Harbor Park, be sure to look up to see 16 original works of flag art from 16 local and international artists that center stories of immigration and resilience!

14 Aug

10 Aug

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5 Aug

You’re not normally allowed into this part of Fairmount Waterworks. But, until August 8th, 10 local artists are inviting you in to explore this space and consider our connection to water! In this video you hear from artists Nadia Hironaka, Paul Swenbeck, and Eugene Lew!

1 Aug

Titled “Reconciling Time: in pursuit of Tomorrow with dreams of Liberty in hand,” these nine works of banner art by sāgar kāmath capture the evolution of democracy, liberty, and curiosity from the past (red), present (blue), and future (yellow). The artworks will be un displayed through this year!

30 July

The weather has turned, and it looks like it’s actually gonna be pretty nice tonight! Last chance to join us for our first evening Streets Dept Excursion:

Conrad Benner@streetsdept.bsky.social

Join us for our first Streets Dept “Best-of” Excursion! On this beloved tour, we walk the Gayborhood to see decades of incredible mural making from local and international artists exploring themes of queerness, sanctuary, and everything Philly! 🎟️ (7/30, 5 PM): events.ticketleap.com/tickets/stre...

Conrad Benner reposted

28 July

28 July

27 July

A new episode of the Streets Dept Podcast is waiting for you! This time I talk with Chris Rabb, one of the next members of Congress entering the U.S. House of Representatives next year after a major election victory. Find it now wherever you get your podcasts. @rowhomeproductions.bsky.social