“BE/LONGING,” a new art exhibit at The Free Library of Philadelphia’s Parkway Central location, is all about diversity, community, and collaboration.

The Free Library of Philadelphia (FLP) Parkway Central is currently hosting an exhibition titled “BE/LONGING,” which will run through Tuesday, October 1. The exhibition features collaborative artwork created by participants in workshops throughout the city, exploring the theme of belonging. A prominent Philadelphia-born artist led these workshops, which included contributions from a diverse group of participants.

About “BE/LONGING”

The “BE/LONGING” project is rooted in a series of library workshops led by Joanne Grüne-Yanoff, a transdisciplinary artist based in Stockholm and Philadelphia. Participants ranged from kids and teens to adults and elders, including both vision-impaired and sighted individuals, lifelong residents, and new arrivals to the city. The workshops were conducted at various FLP locations, including Parkway Central, Tacony, McPherson Square, and Thomas Donatucci Sr libraries.

On display at the Parkway Central Branch, the exhibition features a variety of elements such as banners with quotes from workshop participants, embossed and braille images and text, and an audio piece that incorporates voices discussing the concept of belonging. Additional artworks are displayed in the glass cases at FLP’s West Gallery 1. Visitors are also invited to contribute their thoughts on belonging using braille and standard typewriters, with submissions being incorporated into the exhibition.

The exhibition is designed to tell a community-based story of belonging throughout Philadelphia. Group tours of the exhibition are available and can be scheduled by contacting Suzanna Urminska, Curator of Exhibitions. Tours are currently being booked for the weeks of July 22 and September 9, with the possibility of additional slots based on demand.

For more information about the exhibition, visit the Free Library of Philadelphia’s website, and learn more about the artist Joanne Grüne-Yanoff through her official site.