ArtWell

What an inspiring week of creativity, connection, and artistic exploration! During the 2026 Poetry & Art Show exhibit week, ArtWell welcomed creatives of all ages to a series of free workshops at The Galleries at Moore College of Art & Design, surrounded by powerful poetry and artwork created by talented K–12 students from across Philadelphia.

Throughout the week, participants explored collage-making with Destiny Crockett during Lyrical Fragments, transforming poetry into visual art through abstract and figurative compositions. At Artbreak with ArtWell, attendees created vibrant fabric mosaic collages using textiles, paint markers, and thread. During The Art of Roses, led by Essence McCants, participants learned the art of reflexing roses and designed stunning embellished bouquets. The series concluded with The Ekphrastic Eye: Writing After Art, where writers and artists explored the relationship between visual art and poetry, creating original work inspired by the exhibit.

Thank you to our incredible workshop facilitators, participants, and everyone who helped make this week so special. We loved seeing our community come together to create, connect, and be inspired by the brilliance of Philadelphia’s young artists.

What a day. What a room. What a reminder of what’s possible when young people are given the space to create. Our annual Poetry & Art Show filled the Galleries at Moore with color, courage, imagination, and stories that linger long after the final applause. From striking visual art to powerful poetry, every piece invited us to see the world through a new lens.

We were especially honored to share the afternoon with feature poet Yolanda Wisher, whose words moved through the space like music, Youth Poet Laurette Rashawn Dorsey, who performed alongside friends, and an amazing group of student performers.

To everyone who attended, supported, cheered, volunteered, and celebrated our students: thank you. You helped create an afternoon where creativity wasn't just displayed, it was alive.

Click here to learn more and help us continue creating spaces where young voices can be heard, seen, and celebrated. https://www.theartwell.org/

There's still time to visit the ArtWell Poetry and Art Show exhibit!

Swipe to see highlights from Greene Town Montessori School's recent field trip to the Galleries at Moore! As students explored, they engaged with powerful artwork and poetry created by young artists from ArtWell's partner schools across the region.

Seeing student voices celebrated in a gallery setting is always inspiring and we loved welcoming these curious young visitors into the space. The exibit will be on display until Monday, June 8th, so stop by and see it for yourself this weekend!

Our 5th Annual Poetry and Show was amazing! If you missed our opening reception this past weekend, it’s not too late to check out the exhibit.

The community-themed artwork and poetry created by our students and Teaching Artists will be on display at the Galleries at Moore until Tuesday, June 9th, and we are offering free workshops in the gallery space throughout the week! Links are in our bio.

We are beyond grateful for the outpouring of love and community at the opening reception, which showcased artistic works created by our students and Teaching Artists, along with live performances by student performers, the Youth Poet Laurette Rashawn Dorsey, featured poet Yolanda Wisher and our feature artist Faridah Ismaila. We are so grateful for you sharing your gifts with us!

Here are a few snapshots from the event. More photos/video coming soon!

Meet the featured artist for our upcoming Poetry & Art Show! Faridah Ismalia is a 15-year-old artist, entrepreneur, and community leader whose creativity is rooted in both expression and service. Faridah has been painting since she was a toddler and is the founder of A Paint-full of Promise, a nonprofit that provides free art supplies and monthly art classes for K–6 students at Great Valley High School.

What began as a summer camp in her garage during the pandemic has grown into a beautiful space where young people can explore creativity, build confidence, and express themselves through art. In addition to teaching, Faridah also shares her work through Faridah’s Art, where her artwork appears on totes, bags, shirts, and more. We’re honored to feature Faridah’s work at ArtWell’s Annual Poetry & Art Show as we celebrate 25 years of uplifting young voices through creativity and community.

Join us at the opening reception on Sunday, May 31, from 1–4 PM at The Galleries at Moore College of Art and Design! It will be a joyful, family-friendly celebration of our young artists—their voices, stories, imagination, and visions for the future. Expect live performances and immersive art experiences. It will be a beautiful afternoon rooted in creativity and community.

Click the link in our bio for tickets! https://bit.ly/4x006vq

It’s almost time! Join us in celebrating the power of youth creativity at our annual ArtWell Poetry & Art Show. We’re honored to welcome Philadelphia Youth Poet Laureate Rashawn Dorsey as one of this year’s featured performers. Rashawn is a two-time slam poetry champion of the Philly Slam League. He has hosted and performed for numerous events, including City Hall, Alpha Phi Alpha’s Voter Registration Drive, and the Mental Health Fair Fest.

The opening reception is on Sunday, May 31, from 1–4 PM at The Galleries at Moore College of Art and Design! It will be a joyful, family-friendly celebration of our young artists, their voices, stories, imagination, and visions for the future. Expect live performances and immersive art experiences. It will be a beautiful afternoon rooted in creativity and community.

As ArtWell celebrates 25 years, this event also honors the community that continues to shape and inspire our work. Come celebrate with us!

Click here for tickets! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/artwell-poetry-and-art-show-tickets-1989299397047

Calling all creatives, dreamers, and storytellers! Join us during the 2026 Poetry & Art Show exhibit week for an inspiring series of FREE workshops designed to spark your imagination and celebrate your creativity. Sign up for one workshop or experience them all! Each event takes place at The Galleries at Moore College of Art & Design, surrounded by powerful poetry and artwork created by talented K–12 students from across Philadelphia.

Workshops:

Lyrical Fragments: A Collage Making Workshop - Tuesday June 2nd, 5–7 PM
In this workshop led by Destiny Crockett, you’ll begin by reflecting on a poem by a Philly-born poet before creating our own collages that combine the abstract with the figurative.

Artbreak with ArtWell: Creating Fabric Mosaic Collages– Wednesday June 3rd, 12–2 PM. During this event, attendees will use scraps of fabric, paint markers, and thread to create a textile wrapped canvas piece.

The Art of Roses: Floral DesignWorkshop – Thursday June 4th, 5–7 PM
Led by Essence McCants learn how to reflex roses! At this creative floral design workshop, attendees will get to make a rose bouquet and add embellishments such as jewels, pearls, glitter, and paint.

The Ekphrastic Eye: Writing After Art– Friday, June 5th, 5–7 PM
Hosted by Elijah Mosley, explore the relationship between visual arts and poetry! Learn about ekphrastic poetry and compose original poems inspired by art in a welcoming and supportive environment.

Come create, connect, and be inspired in a space filled with young artistic brilliance. Spots are limited. Register now to claim yours! https://linktr.ee/artwellphilly

ArtWell’s Poetry & Art Show is happening on Sunday, May 31st at The Galleries at Moore College of Art and Design (), and you won’t want to miss it! We’re honored to announce our feature poet: Yolanda Wisher (yolandawisher).

A Philadelphia-rooted poet, musician, and cultural leader, Yolanda brings a powerful blend of poetry and song to the stage. A former Philadelphia Poet Laureate and the inaugural Poet Laureate of Montgomery County, she is the author of Monk Eats an Afro and has shared her work everywhere from major literary journals to national media. Known for her dynamic performances with her band, Yolanda Wisher & The Afroeaters, she continues to push the boundaries of spoken word and sound. Don’t miss this chance to experience her work live alongside an afternoon of art, poetry, and community.

We'll announce the full lineup of performers soon, so stay tuned! And join us for an afternoon that celebrates creativity and connection. Click here for tickets! https://www.theartwell.org/artshow

We visited ArtWell classrooms throughout April (National Poetry Month) to see our programs in action! Swipe through to catch Teaching Artist Mugo Muna bringing the energy to Science Leadership Academny Middle School in Philly as part of our Art of Growing Leaders program. Led by Mugo and fellow ArtWell Teaching Artist, Marcy Morris, students kicked things off with team Pictionary, then dove into collage-making inspired by the legendary Romare Bearden. The results? Bold, brilliant, and full of stories only these young artists could tell. There’s something powerful about watching ideas come alive piece by piece.

If you’re moved by youth art, join us on May 31st at the Galleries at Moore for our annual Poetry & Art Show. Grab your tickets now and bring a friend. Get tickets: https://www.theartwell.org/artshow