52 Weeks of Firsts

Up, up, and away! Philadelphia was the launch site of America’s very first balloon flight, lifting imaginations sky-high. The dream of flight took off from right here.

Photo courtesy Colibrí Workshop

Artist Bio
Allegra Yvonne Gia is a visual artist whose work integrates her backgrounds in film, architecture and graphic design. She first became interested in architecture while attending a charter school focused on design, later studying Design and Technology at Parsons School of Design, where she concentrated on animation and motion graphics. Allegra completed her bachelor’s degree in Film and Media Arts at Temple University. Influenced by her upbringing in both Philadelphia and New York City, her work blends structural principles with narrative visual language. She currently lives in Montgomery County and works as a freelance visual artist.

About the ONE Sculpture
Allegra’s design highlights the first hydrogen balloon flight in America, featuring colorful early hydrogen balloons along with imagery of the Athenaeum building and the Walnut Street Prison yard, the site of the original launch.

“I’ve always been fascinated with hydrogen balloons and how they evolved into the hot air balloons we know today. They’re so colorful. I knew I could illustrate something exciting with this First.”

Strut into history with the celebration of Philadelphia’s first official folk parade or as we know it, the Mummers Parade! Discover how a rowdy neighborhood tradition became the country’s longest-running folk parade and why the New Year just isn’t the same without sequins, satire and saxophones.

Photo courtesy Colibrí Workshop

Artist Bio
Anh Ly is a Vietnamese sculptor and muralist whose concept-driven work draws from personal, cultural and ancestral memory. Her practice combines materials that balance strength and delicacy — steel, wood, plexiglass, reed, textile, yarn and paint — to evoke both vulnerability and resilience. Her work has been recognized by Creative Quarterly (Issue 75) and exhibited at state and regional institutions. Through Mural Arts Philadelphia, Anh collaborates on murals that reflect care, empathy and lived experience. She also advises tech companies on combating online child exploitation.

About the ONE Sculpture
Anh’s design celebrates the Mummers Parade, highlighting its vibrant costumes, instruments and playful traditions. Visitors can “wear” the painted costumes or “play” the illustrated saxophone.

“Who wouldn’t love such a positive, quirky, joyful parade? I attended my first Mummers Parade as an international student in 2010 — and it remains one of my most memorable first impressions of Philadelphia.”

Spark your curiosity about the birth of America’s first volunteer fire company, founded by Benjamin Franklin. Step into the boots of early citizen-firefighters and see how Philly set the standard for public service.

Photo courtesy Colibrí Workshop

Artist Bio
Jenn Procacci is a multidisciplinary visual artist and designer whose practice includes mural making, painting, printmaking, photography and sculpture. She has worked with Mural Arts Philadelphia since 2010 and has received support from the California Arts Council and the Community Foundation of Mendocino County. She believes deeply in the ability of public art to activate communities and break down socioeconomic barriers to creative expression.

About the ONE Sculpture
Created with input from the Fireman’s Hall Museum, Jenn’s sculpture incorporates maps of 1700s Philadelphia, an excerpt from the 1884 book History of Philadelphia, 1609-1884 and imagery of original firefighting equipment.

“My maternal grandfather, Joseph Gallagher, was a volunteer firefighter. I’m honored to celebrate him and the origins of volunteer firefighting through this ONE sculpture.”

Dribble, pass and shoot into history! Philadelphia tipped off the very first professional basketball league, setting the stage for the sport we love today.

Photo courtesy Colibrí Workshop

Artist Bio
Daniel Lipschutz is a Philadelphia-based artist and educator who creates large-scale collaborative works exploring our interconnectedness to nature and each other. After leaving an engineering career in 2015, he pursued art full-time, producing WonderPHL World, a Philadelphia-themed coloring book. His collaborations with Mural Arts began in 2017 and include participation in over forty public art projects.

About the ONE Sculpture
Daniel’s approach blends personal memory, community collaboration and historical research.

“Basketball was my first love and this ONE brings me back to my earliest creative roots.”

Thin Mints, Trefoils, history! Philadelphia was the site of the very first public Girl Scout cookie sale featuring commercially baked cookies, launching a sweet tradition that still supports girls nationwide. Once again, Philly took the first bite.

Photo courtesy Colibrí Workshop

Artist Bio
Born and raised in Northeast Philadelphia, Carol Cannon-Nesco studied at the Hussian School of Art and is a longtime gardener who created and maintains one of Pennsylvania’s largest labyrinth gardens.

About the ONE Sculpture
A fitting match for this First, Cannon-Nesco was the top cookie seller in her Girl Scout troop as a child. Her sculpture celebrates the legacy of the first public Girl Scout cookie sale and the spirit of entrepreneurship it represents.

Stand on sacred ground where history was made. Founded by Richard Allen in 1794, Mother Bethel is the first autonomous, organized and incorporated African American congregation in America, an enduring symbol of faith, resilience, and self-determination.

Artist Bio

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Iris Barbee Bonner is an artist, muralist and graphic designer with more than two decades of professional experience. Her work centers on empowerment, femininity and cultural storytelling, informed by her upbringing, education at Arcadia University and the inspirational foundation of her brand, These Pink Lips.

About the ONE Sculpture

This piece is a tribute to the first African Methodist Episcopal congregation and its founder, Richard Allen. Iris honors the AME Church as a vital cornerstone of community, pride and resilience. Drawing from her own upbringing in the AME Church, this work reflects cherished childhood memories of worship, family gatherings and celebration within the community. The design acknowledges the Black church as a lasting sanctuary of hope, unity and cultural strength.

“As someone who grew up in the AME church (Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church), this theme spoke to me. It brought back childhood memories of going to church with my mom, sister, aunts and grand moms. It’s where I cherish memories with my family and celebrate with the community.”

Honor the fight for freedom and celebrate the first American abolitionist society, launched in Philadelphia in 1775. Discover how bold thinkers and brave activists laid the groundwork for a national movement to end slavery.

Photo courtesy Colibrí Workshop

Artist Bio

Iris Barbee Bonner was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and began expressing herself through art at a young age. She later pursued higher education at Arcadia University, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts with a major in Graphic Design. Iris uses her passion for art and design to celebrate femininity, empowerment and self-expression. While finding her voice as an artist, she created the inspirational brand These Pink Lips, which encourages women to be soft, strong, beautiful and confident in their femininity and power. With over 20 years of professional experience, Iris has developed a unique artistic approach and believes that every surface can be a canvas.

About the ONE Sculpture

This piece honors the founding of the first Abolitionist Society in America and pays tribute to William Still, a remarkable Black abolitionist whose work with the Underground Railroad exemplified resilience and the enduring fight for freedom. Through this design, Iris celebrates pivotal moments in history that reflect empowerment, cultural richness and the strength of the human spirit that continues to shape communities today.

Step through the iconic archway that sparked a cultural renaissance. Built in 1984, Philadelphia’s Friendship Gate was the first authentic Chinese gate in the U.S., a stunning symbol of international partnership and community pride.

Photo courtesy Colibrí Workshop

Artist Bio

Anh Ly is a Vietnamese sculptor and muralist whose concept-driven work draws from personal, cultural and ancestral memory. Her practice combines materials that balance strength and delicacy, steel, wood, plexiglass, reed, textile, yarn and paint, to evoke both vulnerability and resilience. Her work has been recognized by Creative Quarterly (Issue 75) and exhibited at state and regional institutions. Through Mural Arts Philadelphia, Anh collaborates on murals that reflect care, empathy and lived experience. She also advises tech companies on combating online child exploitation.

About the ONE Sculpture 

The first authentic Chinese Gate in Philadelphia’s Chinatown remains a powerful emblem of the enduring friendship between Philadelphia and its sister city, Tianjin. The artwork unites the historic gate with Tianjin’s Ferris-wheel bridge, whose supporting legs resemble two people holding hands across cultures and distances. A touch of the Chinese dragon’s spirit reinforces this connection with resilience and reverence.

“As a Vietnamese immigrant (with partial Chinese ancestral roots), I’m honored to represent my Asian heritage.”

Long before the Civil War, Philadelphians took a stand. Commemorate the bold 1688 petition by Mennonites and German Quakers, the first recorded public protest against slavery in America, and reflect on a legacy of conscience and courage.

Photo courtesy Colibrí Workshop

Artist Bio

Malachi Floyd is a West Philadelphia–based, multi-disciplinary artist whose work explores spirituality, realism and expressive technical styles. Drawing from a wide range of materials and artistic practices, his work often depicts resistance, reflection and the power of collective voices.

About the ONE Sculpture

This piece commemorates the first public protest against slavery in America, recognizing the early courage to challenge injustice and advocate for human dignity. The work acknowledges art as a vehicle for resistance, truth-telling and progress.

“The interesting thing about being an artist is that there are so many paths to choose from. I think art has always been a bit of a resistance against standards of the time, pushing forward a reality while not necessarily shying from the darkness. I did get into the arts to make a statement. This First is the history of the statements you can make and beliefs to support for the greater good.”

Breathe in the blooms at the world’s very first flower show, right here in Philadelphia! What began as a gathering of green thumbs blossomed into a global tradition of horticultural wow. Stop and smell the history!

Photo courtesy Colibrí Workshop

Artist Bio

Sean Martorana is a self-taught multidisciplinary artist and designer who brings his bold, beautiful, iconic visuals to various materials and applications. His illustrative style deconstructs the physical existence of figures, florals and fauna to reveal the power, energy and spirit that connects all things and beings. Sean is inspired and motivated by knowing the powerful effect that creativity can have on people by showing us new ways of thinking, different ways to look inside ourselves and extraordinary ways to experience the world.

About the ONE Sculpture

This piece commemorates America’s first flower show, celebrating an early public gathering devoted to beauty, cultivation and shared civic pride. The work honors the role of art and nature in bringing communities together, reflecting creativity, care for the natural world and the enduring human impulse to grow and beautify our surroundings.

“My artwork and designs are based on wanting to share the feeling I get when experiencing the world with an open and creative way of thinking. I want to reveal the energy and emotion that lies beneath the surface of everything we see. Show the beauty along with the imperfections of nature.
What motivates me to continue to create is knowing the powerful effect that art and design can have on people. How important it is to have experiences with creativity that can show all of us new ways of thinking, open different ways to look inside ourselves and unveil extraordinary ways to see the world.”

Paging pioneers! Celebrate the women who broke barriers (and a few norms) at the first degree-granting medical school for women. This is where women took medicine into their own hands.

Photo courtesy Colibrí Workshop

Artist Bio

Alana Sxmone’s work is guided by storytelling and shaped by the influence of modern media and pop culture. She creates using digital art and acrylic paint, two mediums that allow her to move between sharp contemporary visuals and expressive, hand-painted texture. Each piece begins with identifying the emotion or message she wants to communicate, then building a visual narrative filled with thoughtful details that deepen the story. She aims to make art that people of all ages and backgrounds can connect with, often capturing moments or feelings that feel familiar and personal. Her practice blends nostalgia, contemporary culture and symbolic elements that invite viewers to pause and reflect. Through her work, Alana strives to create pieces that feel timeless, relatable and emotionally honest.

About the ONE Sculpture

Alana designed two doctor figures — one in a vintage style and one in a modern style — to illustrate the evolution of women in medicine. The earlier figure reflects the raw reality of the tools used in the 1800s, while the modern figure highlights the advanced equipment and progress of today.

“I connect to this project through my family, because many of them have always worked in care centered fields. Growing up around people who dedicated their lives to helping others made me appreciate the impact that compassion and support can have on a community. That is why the stories behind the Ronald McDonald House and the Women’s Medical College stood out to me, and creating artwork for them felt meaningful. It gave me a chance to honor the spirit of care I grew up seeing while bringing those stories to life through my art.”

Small but mighty, the first paper match folder — the precursor to the matchbook — was struck right here in Philadelphia! Explore how this fiery little invention lit the way for advertising, science and everyday convenience.

Photo courtesy Colibrí Workshop

Artist Bio

Malachi Floyd was born and raised in West Philadelphia and is a multimedia artist with a background in graphic design, sculpture, glassblowing, sewing and screen-printing. A self-taught painter, his personal work blends spiritual themes with realism, gestural marks and technical precision. Malachi enjoys creating art in any medium available to him, often incorporating found and recycled materials. He is a self-motivated artist who frequently collaborates with others, weaving personal experiences, shared stories and new perspectives into his work.

About the ONE Sculpture

This piece reflects the cultural history and everyday ritual of the match folder, a small but meaningful object tied to travel, memory and place. The design captures how simple items can become keepsakes that mark moments in time and experience.

“I love to travel. When I’m at a nice restaurant or hotel, I would try to collect and save the match booker. I no longer collect them as often because I’ve been collecting art on my travels, but I will use matches over lighters when I can.”

In 1765, Philadelphia became home to the nation’s first medical school, setting the standard for training America’s earliest physicians. More than 250 years later, the Perelman School of Medicine continues to blend innovation and tradition, shaping the future of healthcare.

Artist Bio

Jenn Procacci is a visual artist and designer working in a variety of media. She often utilizes mural making, painting, printmaking, photography and sculpture in her practice. Procacci has worked with Mural Arts Philadelphia since 2010. Her honors include generous funding from the California Arts Council and the Community Foundation of Mendocino County. She is driven by the way public art activates communities and promotes egalitarianism by breaking down the socio-economic barriers that often control access to the arts. Procacci holds a Bachelor of Art from Temple University’s Tyler School of Art & Architecture.

About the ONE Sculpture 

Drawn from historic source material, this uplifting First captures the spirit behind the founding of the First Medical School. Reproductions of a 1780 portrait of Dr. John Morgan (founder and first professor of Penn’s medical school) and a 1799 Birch & Son engraving titled Library and Surgeons Hall, in Fifth Street Philadelphia (home to Penn’s Medical Department from 1963 to 1802) provide a glimpse into the architecture and style during which the school was founded in 1765.

Artist Jenn Procacci provides a visual gateway to the present day with DNA helixes and hands cradling a ball of light, which speak to both modern medical advancements and “the light of knowledge” that Dr. John Morgan spoke of during his 1935 address, Upon the Institution of Medical Schools in America. Completing the First is a reproduction of an admission ticket to “A Course of Lectures” given by Dr. John Morgan in 1765.

Cheer loud for history! Franklin Field was the nation’s first stadium, home to roaring crowds, thrilling games and unforgettable moments. Philly built the stage for American sports.

April Firsts are sponsored by The Bellwether District.

Photo courtesy Colibrí Workshop

Step right up! The thrills, the acrobatics, the spectacle … America’s first circus performance wowed crowds in Philly. Celebrate the art of awe at the place where center ring first stole the show.

April Firsts are sponsored by The Bellwether District.

Photo courtesy Colibrí Workshop

Rooted in curiosity, Bartram’s Garden was America’s very first botanical garden, a living laboratory where science bloomed and Philly’s green thumb took root.

April Firsts are sponsored by The Bellwether District.

Photo courtesy Colibrí Workshop

Artist Bio

Tommy McShane is an artist from the Philadelphia area. He has worked on many murals and is a student at the Community College of Philadelphia. He likes to experiment with different artistic mediums and is currently focused on ceramics and quilting.

About the ONE Sculpture 

The front is a Franklinia tree, named after Benjamin Franklin. The species died out in the wild in the 1800s, and still exists today because of the specimens tended by the Bartrams. On the sides of the one are prints of leaves found at the garden, which are inspired by the prints made by Joseph Breintnall and John Bartram using printing presses to document different species. On the back are botanical illustrations of plants from the garden, and on the base shows different ways the garden is utilized by people and animals.

“I was interested in Bartram’s Garden because it’s a place where people, animals and plants have interacted with each other for centuries within the city. I’m interested in urban ecosystems and I live near the garden.”

Before there was email, there was Ben! Franklin became America’s first postmaster, creating a system that did more than deliver mail, it brought people together. See how one man’s mail shaped a new nation.

April Firsts are sponsored by The Bellwether District.

Photo courtesy Colibrí Workshop

Artist Bio

Caresh Walker is a Philadelphia-based narrative artist currently experimenting with various resurfaced textiles, abandoned intentions and circumvented processes to integrate with his broad experience in stained glass, screen printing, graphic design and multi-medium ephemeral collage. Through his research and manipulations, Caresh brings stories — some forgotten and some untold — into experiences that can create new adventures, reflect on old accounts or fire up a cause for the viewer. Caresh owns SoulPurl 77 Design, which began in 2005 as an experimental stained glass studio in South Philly’s Italian market. SoulPurl 77 remains an enigma and shares its observations, revelations and creations as needed.

About the ONE Sculpture

Ben Franklin, a man of many firsts, established the nation’s initial postal routes as the first Postmaster General of the United States. This piece celebrates the creation of the American postal service, honoring the beginnings of couriers across the country and the enduring motto — “Nor snow, nor rain, nor heat …” — that Franklin helped establish, symbolizing dedication, reliability and the vital role of communication in a growing nation.

From ivory keys to booming brass, Philadelphia hit all the right notes with the first American-made piano and sousaphone. Music history was composed right here in the city of harmony.

Photo courtesy Colibrí Workshop

Artist Bio

Iris Barbee Bonner is a Philadelphia-born artist, graphic designer and founder of These Pink Lips. A graduate of Arcadia University with a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, Iris brings over 20 years of experience to her professional practice. Her work blends personal history, music and cultural pride, guided by the belief that creativity can live on any surface.

About the ONE Sculpture

Inspired by the city of Philadelphia, this design celebrates the creation of the first American-made piano and sousaphone, highlighting the soulful power of music to connect people across generations. The piano holds deep personal meaning for Iris, symbolizing her lifelong relationship with music, which she played from age five through college. Its beauty mirrors the many elements of her life that come together in her artistic expression.

“The piano is a symbol of my childhood passion. Having played from age five through college, music has always been a part of my creative expression. The piano’s beauty inspires me just as the various elements of my life which comes together in my art.”

Give it up for Mom … Philly-style! The nation’s very first public Mother’s Day celebration took place right here at Wanamaker’s Department Store, honoring the women who do it all. Bring the flowers, bring the love, bring the tissues.

Photo courtesy Colibrí Workshop

Artist Bio

Allegra Yvonne Gia is a visual artist whose work integrates her backgrounds in film, architecture and graphic design. She first became interested in architecture while attending a charter school focused on design, later studying Design and Technology at Parsons School of Design, where she concentrated on animation and motion graphics. Allegra completed her bachelor’s degree in Film and Media Arts at Temple University. Influenced by her upbringing in both Philadelphia and New York City, her work blends structural principles with narrative visual language. She currently lives in Montgomery County and works as a freelance visual artist.

About the ONE Sculpture

This piece celebrates the first Mother’s Day by depicting a diverse group of women with their children, emphasizing the universal nature of maternal love and care. The design is highlighted with a motif of flowers, symbolizing appreciation, growth and the enduring beauty of the bond between mothers and their families.

“Mother’s Day is an important day for me because of the appreciation I have for all the amazing moms like my own mother.”

Take a pulse on history … America’s first hospital, founded by none other than Ben Franklin, set the gold standard for care and still stands today as a monument to healing and hope.

Photo courtesy Colibrí Workshop

Artist Bio

Award-winning artist Derrick Ross is a man from the Philadelphia community — a father, son, grandson and a leading vessel for so many whose passing will not be forgotten. Derrick was born to be a creator, a designer and an amazing artist. Inspiring audiences by using natural artistic talents and skills, Derrick has beautified multiple areas of Philadelphia with teamwork and mural art.

By partnering with City Council and nonprofit organizations, Derrick’s been able to expand the width of his goal, establishing safe conditions in Philly’s neighborhoods with the expression of calming, peace-resolving artwork. Derrick pushes his purpose so that eventually the city will be able to recognize that there’s art in each person. And, as a collective, we can be a masterpiece.

About the ONE Sculpture

This piece commemorates the first hospital in America, honoring the beginnings of organized healthcare and compassion in the nation. The work reflects themes of care, resilience and service, celebrating the commitment to healing, community well-being and the enduring human responsibility to care for one another.

“Pennsylvania Hospital saved my mother’s life by ridding her of cancer, which I am deeply appreciative of, as well as Pennsylvania Hospital also being the birth home of my wife.”

Philadelphia welcomed the world and showed off the future at the 1876 Centennial Exposition, the first World’s Fair in the U.S. Relive the inventions, innovations and international flair that made history.

Photo courtesy Colibrí Workshop

Artist Bio

Janice Kim is a visual artist based in Philadelphia. In 2022, they received a BA in Visual Studies at the Tyler School of Art & Architecture. For the past five years, they assisted in painting large-scale murals for Mural Arts Philadelphia. They have done private commissions in photography, drawing, acrylic and oil painting. Their personal works focus on human connection and emotion through detail.

About the ONE Sculpture

This piece commemorates the Centennial Exposition of 1876, the first official World’s Fair held on American soil, celebrating 100 years of independence. The work honors innovation, culture and global exchange, highlighting groundbreaking inventions like the typewriter and telephone while reflecting the optimism, ingenuity and progress of the era. It celebrates humanity’s drive to explore, create and connect across communities and nations.

“Prior to this project, I’d never heard about the Centennial Exposition of 1876. When I dove into the history of the First World Fair, I was intrigued by the richness and complexity of its history and how it ties to Philadelphia. This piece is a modern interpretation of the 100th birthday of America.”

All aboard! The first American steamboat to carry both passengers and cargo set sail from Philadelphia, charting a new course for travel and trade. Smooth sailing, revolutionary style.

Photo courtesy Colibrí Workshop

Artist Bio

Since 2003, Gwenn Seemel has been painting in a polka-dot Cubist style that lends their feminist figurative art an aura of joy, even as the artist addresses serious issues. Seemel’s work has been featured everywhere from Newsweek and Hyperallergic to the cover of an Oxford University Press book. An avid questioner of copyright, the artist speaks regularly about creativity, notably giving a TEDx talk in Switzerland. Seemel is both French and American, and they live in Lambertville, New Jersey.

About the ONE Sculpture 

John Fitch’s steamboat carried both passengers and freight over a thousand miles back and forth between Philadelphia and Burlington, New Jersey for several months in the summer of 1790. On the side of the sculpture, the steamboat is on the river with other ships of the day in the background and a duckling in the foreground, emphasizing the unusual duck-paddling design of Fitch’s 1790 steamboat. On the back of the sculpture, Fitch is thinking about his engine, and, on the final side, there’s a beautiful river view of the Delaware.

“The inventor John Fitch had many false starts in life. For example, early on he was apprenticed to a clockmaker, but, fearing competition, his master refused to train him. Though Fitch eventually taught himself clockmaking and then went on to much adventure and invention, he never managed to make any of his endeavors a real success. His story is thoroughly relatable to me. Working as a full-time artist for over twenty years feels like constantly starting over. In each new context and with every new client, I not only work to prove the value of my own work, but also the value of art. Imagining Fitch’s struggles makes me feel less alone.”

Stars, stripes and stitching history! Visit the birthplace of the first American flag and learn the story behind the bold woman who started it all … Betsy Ross. Red, white and brave!

Photo courtesy Colibrí Workshop

Artist Bio

Alana Bograd is an artist, muralist, educator and freelancer with over 20 years of experience working in and around Philadelphia. She has participated in exhibitions and residencies in New York, Philadelphia and Dubrovnik. Her work is held in private collections, including the James T. Dyke collection. Alana currently works out of her 500-square-foot basement home studio in Philadelphia.

About the ONE Sculpture

Alana’s design celebrates the creation of the first American flag in Philadelphia, the birthplace of the nation. With Betsy Ross as her guiding inspiration, the artwork honors the city’s role in shaping one of the most enduring symbols of the United States. The piece reflects both historical significance and the excitement of bringing this foundational moment to life through design.

Before there was even a country, there were heroes. Philly is where the U.S. Army was born, kicking off a legacy of service, courage and dedication that still stands strong today.

Photo courtesy Colibrí Workshop

Artist Bio

Sean Bryant is a muralist and fine artist with a background in large-scale public art and game art. He has worked with Mural Arts for four years and completed an award-winning internship supporting major mural projects in Philadelphia. Sean’s artistic practice emphasizes realism, patience and a strong foundation in technical skills, which guide both his traditional and mural work.

About the ONE Sculpture

This piece commemorates the founding of the United States Army in 1775. The design reflects discipline, service and commitment, honoring the Army’s foundational role in the nation’s history and its enduring presence as a symbol of strength and perseverance.

Before Stonewall, there was Philly. In 1965, activists gathered at Independence Hall for the first “Annual Reminder,” boldly demanding LGBTQ rights where America’s freedoms were first declared. Celebrate the city that stood for liberty — for everyone.

Photo courtesy Colibrí Workshop

Artist Bio

Jenn Procacci is a visual artist and designer working in a variety of media. She often utilizes mural making, painting, printmaking, photography and sculpture in her practice. Procacci has worked with Mural Arts Philadelphia since 2010. Her honors include generous funding from the California Arts Council and the Community Foundation of Mendocino County. She is driven by the way public art activates communities and promotes egalitarianism by breaking down the socio-economic barriers that often control access to the arts. Procacci holds a Bachelor of Art from Temple University’s Tyler School of Art & Architecture.

About the ONE Sculpture

In 1965, the first Annual Rights Reminder picket took place in front of Independence Hall. This piece features historic photographs of the event rendered as a high-resolution print, paired with a vibrant rainbow sky that symbolizes the LGBTQ+ community’s ongoing pursuit of equality, protection and freedom. The work honors the courage, activism and enduring impact of those who advocated for civil rights and social justice.

“Coming of age in the late 1990s, I became engaged in the movement to promote equal rights for the LGBTQ+ community when a few close friends of mine began to come out. As an adult, I am a proud ally to the LGBTQ+ community and believe in celebrating a diverse world where all people are free, safe and equal to love whomever they choose. As such, it is an honor to create this ONE sculpture, which commemorates the first Annual Reminder Demonstration in 1965.”

Long before Wi-Fi and word processors, there was paper and it all started at Rittenhouse Town. Discover the handmade beginnings of America’s paper trail and the mill that made it happen.

Photo courtesy Colibrí Workshop

Artist Bio

Ava Haitz is a Philadelphia-based artist, educator and co-founder/co-director of the Philadelphia Animation Festival. They create animations, sculptures, video installations, and interactive books and zines. Ava is a Zine Librarian at The Soapbox: Community Print Shop & Zine Library and a member of The Philadelphia Animation Ensemble. Their art practice is focused on building bridges through vulnerability, encouraging play and a belief that a better world is possible.

About the ONE Sculpture 

This piece honors the first paper maker, celebrating the invention and craftsmanship that made widespread written communication possible. The design reflects the importance of paper in sharing knowledge, preserving ideas and shaping culture, highlighting the transformative impact of this early innovation on education, art and society.

America’s first big investment! Founded by Alexander Hamilton (yes, that Hamilton), the First Bank built the financial foundation of the nation, and it all started right here in Philadelphia.

July Firsts are sponsored by Fulton Bank.

Photo courtesy Colibrí Workshop

Artist Bio

Born and raised in West Philadelphia, Malachi Floyd is a self-taught painter and multimedia artist who works across sculpture, design and found materials. His work is deeply informed by personal history, collaboration and an ongoing relationship with Philadelphia’s cultural and historical landscape.

About the ONE Sculpture

This design honors the establishment of the First Bank of the United States and reflects Malachi’s personal connection to history through family experiences in Philadelphia’s Old City. The piece bridges past and present, recognizing both historical legacy and new creative futures.

“My dad was a bit of a history fanatic. When I was younger, I remember him taking us on a tour of Old City explaining each building’s history. Now, I’m soon to be a part of a bit more historical first in Old City, being one of the featured artists in the first interactive art bank called the M.O.A., soon to open in 2026.”

Before the Phils, there were the Olympics! The Olympic Ball Club of Philadelphia was the nation’s very first organized baseball team, planting the roots of America’s favorite pastime right here in the city. Batter up for some serious sports history.

July Firsts are sponsored by Fulton Bank.

Artist Bio

David McShane has been designing and painting murals for Mural Arts Philadelphia since 1995, and has completed well over 270 large, outdoor, community-based murals in the Philadelphia area. His murals include the Phillies Mural, the Philadelphia Stars Negro League Mural, the Herman Wrice Mural, the Larry Fine Mural, the Mural at Dirty Franks, the Jackie Robinson Mural, the Legendary Blue Horizon Mural, the City of Champions Mural and nineteen elementary school transformation projects in partnership with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Outside of Philadelphia, David has received grants to create community murals in the local region (Coatesville and Middletown Township); in the suburbs of Paris, France; and in Dublin, Ireland. He also creates fine art paintings in his studio, and has exhibited his work at the LaSalle University Art Museum, the Artists’ House Gallery, the Temple Gallery of the Tyler School of Art, the University City Arts League, the Philadelphia Office of Arts & Culture, and the Nexus Gallery.

David was raised in Audubon, New Jersey, and received degrees from LaSalle University and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. He is married to artist Eurhi Jones and has two children.

About the ONE Sculpture

Before rules were standardized and gloves were worn, forerunners to the game of baseball were springing up in America from the 1820s or even earlier. Variations on games that featured bats and balls and bases — referred to as “town ball” and other names — became popular in Philadelphia, and the first organized team to emerge was the Olympic Ball Club, which later in 1860 adopted the rules of baseball that further evolved into the current game.

David chose to represent three non-specific ball players from the early- and mid-1800s to represent this first team and the key elements that made this new sport unique: a batter, a pitcher and a fielder. David included an image of the original clubhouse (located at Broad and Wallace streets).

Also in the design, David references a famous moment in the team’s history when, in 1869, the all-white Olympic Club played the all-Black Pythian Base Ball Club (founded by Octavius Catto) in the first-ever interracial game in the sport’s history. The Olympic Ball Club played into the late 1880s, but dissolved around the time that today’s Major League Baseball emerged and overtook most competing leagues.

“I have a passion for painting the figure in motion and have done many sports murals in Philadelphia. In particular, I am probably best known for my baseball murals (especially the Jackie Robinson Mural, the Philadelphia Stars Negro League Mural, and the Phillies Mural). Getting to paint about the first baseball team (the Olympic Ball Club) seems ideal for me.”

What do you get when you mix ice cream and fizzy soda? A delicious Philadelphia invention! Cool off and sip back in time with the first-ever ice cream soda. Sweet, creamy and bubbly fun.

July Firsts are sponsored by Fulton Bank.

Photo courtesy Colibrí Workshop

Brush up on history where American artists first found their muse. Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, the nation’s first art school, launched a creative revolution, one masterpiece at a time.

July Firsts are sponsored by Fulton Bank.

Photo courtesy Colibrí Workshop

Artist Bio

In 2005, Jonathan Laidacker decided to move to Philadelphia to be a muralist. As Jonathan was packing up his apartment outside Pittsburgh, he received my acceptance letter to the MFA program at PAFA. He was a thorn in Jane Golden’s side until, eventually, he was put on a project. Twenty years, one MFA, and over 70 murals later, Jonathan still gets nervous and excited to work with new communities and facilitators to create new work.

About the ONE Sculpture 

This piece honors the Academy, a singular institution rich in art history, Philadelphia history and American history. It reflects the artist’s personal connection to the Academy, celebrating the opportunity to develop his skills within its walls and to contribute, in a small way, to the legacy of an institution that has nurtured creativity and education for over 220 years.

“In 2007, I received my MFA from PAFA. Not only am I very proud of my connections with such a prestigious institution, but I’m also happy to have been there during the relatively brief period in PAFA’s history where they were granting degrees to students.”

Dinosaurs, dioramas, discoveries! The Academy of Natural Sciences became America’s first scientific society devoted to natural history. Curiosity and collections that still spark wonder.

Artist Bio

Ibi Padrón Venegas is a 23-year-old emerging 2D artist with a special affinity for mural and public art works. Their artistic journey began with markers, pens and pencils, creating vibrantly intricate illustrations filled with creatures and landscapes bursting from their imagination. At 17, they were introduced to the mural process and their imaginative world pounced on the possibilities of this new medium. Through various paint mediums and assistance on countless murals, their practice began to develop its own style.

The past couple of years have marked the debut of their own professional murals, projects and expansive endeavors of their craft. Obsessed with the interactivity of large-scale public works, they have set their eyes on the integration of sculptural elements in their work and have most recently embarked on the academic pursuit of sculptural practices.

About the ONE Sculpture

Primarily utilizing spray paint and acrylic paint, Ibi Padrón Venegas translates daydreams, everyday sensations and experiences of curiosity into playful pieces of color, texture and vibrant forms. Their constant bewilderment of the natural world and its unfoldment reflects itself in their art through themes of interconnectedness and emergence. Since a very young age, public art has captivated their artistic aspirations and has naturally found itself at the heart of their practice.

“My passion for the natural sciences has been with me since childhood and is a constant source of inspiration for my artistic practices. Over the years The Academy of Natural Sciences has offered a place for my curiosities to indulge in the wonderful resource of accessible scientific research. I am honored to be using my art to commemorate the First Scientific Society of Natural Sciences.”

Lions and tigers and history, oh my! The Philadelphia Zoo opened its gates as America’s very first, combining animal wonder with conservation. Wild from the very beginning.

Photo courtesy Colibrí Workshop

Artist Bio

Since 2003, Gwenn Seemel has been painting in a polka-dot Cubist style that lends their feminist figurative art an aura of joy, even as the artist addresses serious issues. Seemel’s work has been featured everywhere from Newsweek and Hyperallergic to the cover of an Oxford University Press book. An avid questioner of copyright, the artist speaks regularly about creativity, notably giving a TEDx talk in Switzerland. Seemel is both French and American, and they live in Lambertville, New Jersey.

About the ONE Sculpture

The first zoo in the United States is an institution full of big milestones: the first birth of a cheetah in a zoo in 1956, the first birth of a giant river otter in North America in 2004, the first birth of an orangutan in a US zoo in 1928 and the first recorded parent-reared sheik in 1985 — part of the captive breeding program that the institution undertook to help save the species. In 2025, the Philadelphia Zoo added yet another big moment to its annals when Mommy, the Western Santa Cruz Galápagos tortoise, became a mother for the first time at 97 years old.

“The Philadelphia Zoo’s most important firsts don’t involve records. Instead, they’re in the private moments of wonder when a child encounters an animal they’ve only ever seen in video and understands in a deeper way that humans are simply one of the many extraordinary animals that inhabit our amazing planet. I know this to be true, because zoos are where I learned to place myself in nature, connected to all life on Earth.”

Where did American money first make cents? Right here in Philadelphia! Celebrate the launch of the first U.S. Mint and the shiny beginning of coin-making in the new nation.

Photo courtesy Colibrí Workshop

Artist Bio

Sean Martorana is a self-taught multidisciplinary artist and designer who brings his bold, beautiful, iconic visuals to various materials and applications. His illustrative style deconstructs the physical existence of figures, florals and fauna to reveal the power, energy and spirit that connects all things and beings. Sean is inspired and motivated by knowing the powerful effect that creativity can have on people by showing us new ways of thinking, different ways to look inside ourselves and extraordinary ways to experience the world.

About the ONE Sculpture

This piece commemorates the first U.S. Mint, honoring the establishment of a national currency and the foundations of America’s economic identity. The work reflects themes of craftsmanship, trust and unity, celebrating the role of the Mint in shaping commerce, stability and the shared values that helped build the nation.

“My artwork and designs are based on wanting to share the feeling I get when experiencing the world with an open and creative way of thinking. I want to reveal the energy and emotion that lies beneath the surface of everything we see. Show the beauty along with the imperfections of nature.

What motivates me to continue to create is knowing the powerful effect that art and design can have on people. How important it is to have experiences with creativity that can show all of us new ways of thinking, open different ways to look inside ourselves and unveil extraordinary ways to see the world.”

Say cheese, Philly! Long before camera phones and filters, local innovator Robert Cornelius snapped the world’s very first selfie right here in 1839, with a homemade camera in his own backyard, no less. One bold pose and a flash of genius changed photography forever.

Photo courtesy Colibrí Workshop

Artist Bio

Alana Bograd is an artist, muralist, educator and freelancer with over 20 years of experience working in and around Philadelphia. Her exhibitions and residencies span from New York and Philadelphia to Dubrovnik, and her work is included in private collections such as the James T. Dyke collection. She works from her basement home studio in Philadelphia.

About the ONE Sculpture

This design highlights the surprising fact that the first photographic self-portrait — now known as the selfie — was taken in Philadelphia in 1839. Blending historical discovery with playful modern energy, the piece connects a 19th-century innovation to today’s culture of self-expression, capturing the excitement of realizing that something so contemporary has deep local roots.

It walked from Philadelphia right into America’s heart! Celebrate the wobbly, wonderful debut of the Slinky, born in a local shipyard and still bouncing strong. It’s more than a toy — it’s a cultural icon.

Photo courtesy Colibrí Workshop

Artist Bio

Jenn Procacci is a visual artist and designer working in a variety of media. She often utilizes mural making, painting, printmaking, photography and sculpture in her practice. Procacci has worked with Mural Arts Philadelphia since 2010. Her honors include generous funding from the California Arts Council and the Community Foundation of Mendocino County. She is driven by the way public art activates communities and promotes egalitarianism by breaking down the socio-economic barriers that often control access to the arts. Procacci holds a Bachelor of Arts from Temple University’s Tyler School of Art & Architecture.

About the ONE Sculpture

Featuring the original blueprints of the Slinky’s design, this piece commemorates one of America’s most beloved toys. The work celebrates creativity, playfulness and the joy of invention, highlighting the lasting impact of a simple yet iconic creation that continues to delight generations.

“As a child of the ’80s and ’90s, Slinkys were a staple of my childhood. In my memories, I can still hear the sound my metal slinky made when it climbed down our stairs. Slinkys manage to fuse science and whimsy in a way that has always impressed me, and I am honored to design and paint the Slinky ONE sculpture to commemorate this timeless toy.”

We the People … signed here first! The U.S. Constitution was inked in Philadelphia, setting the course for democracy. Step inside history where every signature still speaks volumes.

September Firsts are sponsored by Firstrust Bank.

Photo courtesy Colibrí Workshop

Artist Bio

Kat Black is a painter who specializes in murals and photo-realistic gouache paintings. She is inspired by independent film, literature, nature and cultural rituals. Living and working between Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Oaxaca, Mexico, Kat’s work reflects the visual and historical richness of both places. Based in Philadelphia, she has collaborated on numerous large-scale mural projects, honing her technical precision, color theory and installation expertise.

About the ONE Sculpture

This design emphasizes the dedication and collaboration behind the signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787. The Founding Fathers traveled to Independence Hall and spent four months debating and drafting the document that established the framework of the American government. Opposing viewpoints are symbolized through red and blue, while the compromises reached between them are represented in purple — the blending of those colors.

Before there was a nation, there was a meeting. The First Continental Congress gathered in Philadelphia to hammer out unity and independence, setting the stage for the next Congress, where that very famous declaration was signed. Big ideas, bold voices: it all started here.

September Firsts are sponsored by Firstrust Bank.

Photo courtesy Colibrí Workshop

Artist Bio

Since 2003, Gwenn Seemel has been painting in a polka-dot Cubist style that lends their feminist figurative art an aura of joy, even as the artist addresses serious issues. Seemel’s work has been featured everywhere from Newsweek and Hyperallergic to the cover of an Oxford University Press book. An avid questioner of copyright, the artist speaks regularly about creativity, notably giving a TEDx talk in Switzerland. Seemel is both French and American, and they live in Lambertville, New Jersey.

About the ONE Sculpture 

Patrick Henry is speaking to John Adams and John Morton, the representative from Pennsylvania who would later provide the swing vote that allowed the state to vote in favor of the Declaration of Independence. The back of the sculpture shows a map of the 13 colonies along with a reworking of Ben Franklin’s “Join, or Die” snake that was published in The Pennsylvania Journal after the First Continental Congress. The final figure is Charles Thomson, a Philadelphian who was secretary of the Continental Congress as well as being a defender of the rights of Indigenous people and one of the designers of the Great Seal of the United States.

“This First is also a first for me in that I’ve never made a history painting in my two decades as a professional artist. While I’ve always admired the way painters in the era before photography depicted the drama of historical moments, I usually concentrate more on the present in my studio. The biggest surprise in working this way is the emotion I’ve felt in reproducing a small portion of the handwritten declarations and resolves from the First Continental Congress. Recreating what Charles Thomson’s hand wrote so many years ago helped me to bond with our history on a new level.”

What’s in a name? Everything. At Independence Hall, “The United States of America” was spoken into being, giving a brand-new nation its identity. We still say it proudly, but Philadelphia said it first.

September Firsts are sponsored by Firstrust Bank.

Photo courtesy Colibrí Workshop

Artist Bio

Kat Black is a painter who specializes in murals and photo-realistic gouache paintings. She draws inspiration from independent film, literature, the beauty of nature, and cultural celebrations and rituals. Kat divides her time between Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Oaxaca, Mexico, and is deeply influenced by both places. Currently based in Philadelphia — the mural capital of the world — she has worked on large-scale projects alongside teams of highly skilled artists, where she has refined her technical painting, color mixing and mural installation skills.

About the ONE Sculpture

Kat’s design illustrates how the United States received its name. It traces the origin back to Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci, who was the first to propose that Europeans had discovered an entirely new continent rather than Asia. The artwork represents the original 13 colonies that formed the foundation of the country. The name “United States of America” was officially established in 1776.

A first that warms the heart. The very first Ronald McDonald House opened in Philadelphia, giving families care, comfort, and community while their children heal. Home, hope and history under one roof.

September Firsts are sponsored by Firstrust Bank.

Photo courtesy Colibrí Workshop

Artist Bio

Alana Sxmone’s work is guided by storytelling and shaped by the influence of modern media and pop culture. She creates using digital art and acrylic paint, two mediums that allow her to move between sharp contemporary visuals and expressive, hand-painted texture. Each piece begins with identifying the emotion or message she wants to communicate, then building a visual narrative filled with thoughtful details that deepen the story.

Alana aims to make art that people of all ages and backgrounds can connect with, often capturing moments or feelings that feel familiar and personal. Her practice blends nostalgia, contemporary culture, and symbolic elements that invite viewers to pause and reflect. Through her work, Alana strives to create pieces that feel timeless, relatable, and emotionally honest.

About the ONE Sculpture 

This piece was created in a pop art, ’70s-inspired comic style to capture warmth and optimism. The founders, Dr. Audrey Evans and Jimmy Murray, are shown surrounded by children and families to represent the comfort, care and hope they brought to the community.

“I connect to this project through my family, because many of them have always worked in care-centered fields. Growing up around people who dedicated their lives to helping others made me appreciate the impact that compassion and support can have on a community. That is why the stories behind the Ronald McDonald House and the Women’s Medical College stood out to me, and creating artwork for them felt meaningful. It gave me a chance to honor the spirit of care I grew up seeing while bringing those stories to life through my art.”

With soaring stone walls and a radical design, Eastern State Penitentiary created the philosophy of America’s first true penitentiary. Walk the halls where history was made, and experience the human stories of early prison systems.

Photo courtesy Colibrí Workshop

Artist Bio

Cody Stuhltrager is a versatile, meticulous artist who became connected with Mural Arts Philadelphia and the region’s robust public art scene while incarcerated at Graterford State Prison. He works in a variety of media and has had works exhibited at numerous venues, including the Barnes Foundation. He aspires to make art that challenges beliefs and practices that perpetuate injustice. In 2020, Cody earned a B.A. in Liberal Arts from Villanova University.

About the ONE Sculpture

With this work, Stuhltrager captures the distinctive aesthetic of Eastern State Penitentiary and its enduring presence in Fairmount. The piece reflects both the institution’s current mission — to foster public understanding of the criminal justice system — and the artist’s own carceral experience, highlighting the potential for positive transformation through reflection, effort, education and opportunity.

“This First is extremely personal for me. I lost myself on drugs in my teens, drove my life completely off the rails and ended up spending 20 years in PA state prison as a result. It was during that lengthy incarceration that I discovered and developed my artistic talents. I even got to know a man who had done time at Eastern State. He was a fellow artist and member of the MAP program at Graterford, and for years we facilitated an art group for prisoners who were struggling with mental health issues. I found prison overall to be a cold, dysfunctional and desperate place, yet I also found opportunities to process my past, heal from it and educate myself in ways that could engender a brighter future. And now I’m working as an artist in this beautiful city, and things just seem to keep coming full circle.”

Honor the nation’s first inhabitants and celebrate the vibrant cultures and enduring traditions of Indigenous communities rooted in Philadelphia. Discover the Penn Museum’s new Native North America Gallery, shaped in collaboration with Indigenous curators.

Artist Bio

Ben Scott Miller is a citizen and artisan of the federally recognized Delaware Tribe of Indians. As a Lenape artisan, he works in Lenapehoking, Pennsylvania, with a focus on restoring Lenape art and cultural identity to his ancestral homelands.

About the ONE Sculpture

This sculpture represents the culture, resilience and perseverance of the Indigenous peoples of Pennsylvania. It honors the Lenape as the first inhabitants of the land, acknowledging their enduring presence, strength and commitment to preserving cultural identity despite generations of displacement and hardship.

“I get to share traditional authentic native art back in my hometown. This is my dream and hopefully it gives me the opportunity for future projects for me and the Lenape people. To contribute to Lenape art and share our stories means so much to me.”

Anchors aweigh! Philly also gave birth to the Navy and Marine Corps, launching fearless sailors and marines into a tradition of service and adventure that sails on to this day.

Photo courtesy Colibrí Workshop

Artist Bio

Sean Bryant is a muralist who has worked as an artist’s assistant with Mural Arts for four years. He has created murals for private companies in Washington D.C., New York City and Tampa. In 2022, Sean completed a summer internship where he participated in and supported Chenlin Cai and Eurhi Jones on the Chinatown crane mural project. Following the internship, he was awarded Mural Artist of the Year and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Game Art. In his traditional work, Sean is passionate about realism and mastering artistic fundamentals, valuing patience and precision as essential parts of his creative process.

About the ONE Sculpture

This design honors the founding of the United States Navy and Marine Corps in 1775. Through this work, Sean pays tribute to the service, dedication and sacrifice of those who protect the nation, bringing respect and care to the creation of a three-dimensional piece that reflects the strength and legacy of these military branches.

“I wanted to work on this project because I have a brother that serves in the Air Force. I wanted to give my respect to the Marines and the Navy and do my best for this three-dimensional project. When everything is all said and done, it will turn out to be very successful.”

Lights, camera, Philadelphia! The flicker of the very first public motion picture lit up a local screen, launching the magic of movies. Grab the popcorn: the show started here.

Photo courtesy Colibrí Workshop

Artist Bio

Ava Haitz is a Philadelphia-based artist, educator and co-founder/co-director of the Philadelphia Animation Festival. They create animations, sculptures, video installations, and interactive books and zines. Ava is a Zine Librarian at The Soapbox Community Print Shop & Zine Library and a member of The Philadelphia Animation Ensemble. Their art practice is focused on building bridges through vulnerability, encouraging play and a belief that a better world is possible.

About the ONE Sculpture 

This piece commemorates the first public screening of a motion picture, celebrating the birth of cinema and the power of storytelling through moving images. The design highlights the excitement, innovation and cultural impact of this moment, honoring how film has since become a shared experience that entertains, inspires and connects people across generations.

It was a dark and stormy night … and another Philadelphia first! Edgar Allan Poe penned the world’s first modern detective story here, giving birth to mystery, suspense and serious shivers. Case closed.

Photo courtesy Colibrí Workshop

Artist Bio

Janice Kim is a visual artist based in Philadelphia. In 2022, they received a B.A. in Visual Studies at the Tyler School of Art & Architecture. For the past five years, they assisted in painting large-scale murals for Mural Arts Philadelphia. They have done private commissions in photography, drawing, acrylic and oil painting. Their personal works focus on human connection and emotion through detail.

About the ONE Sculpture

Reading Edgar Allan Poe’s works in grade school was a formative and memorable experience that continues to influence this artist’s work. Poe’s writing inspired a deeper exploration of self-expression, shaping a creative approach rooted in detail and color. This design brings together elements from Poe’s The Murders in the Rue Morgue — the first modern detective story, published in 1841 — honoring its lasting impact on literature, imagination and the art of storytelling.

Marching bands, giant balloons and holiday cheer … Philadelphia started it all with the nation’s very first Thanksgiving Day Parade. A tradition so big, it could only begin here.

Photo courtesy Colibrí Workshop

Artist Bio

Caresh Walker is a Philadelphia-based narrative artist currently experimenting with various resurfaced textiles, abandoned intentions and circumvented processes to integrate with his broad experience in stained glass, screen printing, graphic design and multi-medium ephemeral collage. Through his research and manipulations, Caresh brings stories — some forgotten and some untold — into experiences that can create new adventures, reflect on old accounts or fire up a cause for the viewer. Caresh owns SoulPurl 77 Design, which began in 2005 as an experimental stained glass studio in South Philly’s Italian market. SoulPurl 77 remains an enigma and shares its observations, revelations and creations as needed.

About the ONE Sculpture

Charged with the colors of fall and the spirit of celebration, this piece honors the storytelling and vibrant imagery that inspire much of the artist’s work. It pays homage to community, homecoming and the arrival of a new season, capturing the timeless energy and joy of the Thanksgiving Day Parade as it marches down the parkway.

“My grandmother and I used to sit on the front steps watching the parade and waiting for the boom of the big drum as the bands marched by. She would act as if it were an explosion, and I would play along every time to see her smile. My family was spread out across the country, and these parades meant I was about to see them all again at Thanksgiving dinner.
As the years went on, sitting on the steps faded, and having the TV play the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade became a new tradition. We would judge the floats and talk about the amount of creativity and time that went into making each one. My grandmother smiled because we were all together, and it always felt like that drum was outside the window during that dinner.”

Higher learning, Philly style. The University of Pennsylvania (Penn) claimed the title of the nation’s first university. With innovation baked into its DNA, Penn launched generations of leaders. Knowledge has a home, and it’s right here!

Artist Bio

Anh Ly is a Vietnamese sculptor and muralist whose concept-driven work draws from personal, cultural and ancestral memory. Her practice combines materials that balance strength and delicacy, steel, wood, plexiglass, reed, textile, yarn and paint, to evoke both vulnerability and resilience. Her work has been recognized by Creative Quarterly (Issue 75) and exhibited at state and regional institutions. Through Mural Arts Philadelphia, Anh collaborates on murals that reflect care, empathy and lived experience. She also advises tech companies on combating online child exploitation.

About the ONE Sculpture

Founded by Benjamin Franklin, the University of Pennsylvania is rooted in his legacy of scientific curiosity and innovation-focused education. This design weaves together many of the university’s “firsts”, from Franklin and his iconic kite experiment to the ENIAC, Rittenhouse’s orrery and College Hall. They collectively symbolize the institution’s DNA of innovative spirit and enduring impact on technological advancement and higher learning. Together, these elements honor generations of students and educators who have shaped both Penn and Philadelphia.

“Philadelphia is a city for education, with many high-ranked institutions across the city, covering all kinds of majors and careers and having producing leaders in various industries on all scales (city, regional, national, international). Although I didn’t attend Penn (went to Drexel), it is an honor to know that I studied in the same city pioneering and championing higher education and that I get to pay tribute to one of its major enduring legacies of lifelong learning.”

Philadelphia made history in 1855 by opening the nation’s first hospital devoted exclusively to children. For more than 170 years, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia has combined groundbreaking research with heartfelt care both within and outside its walls — a tradition of healing that continues to inspire today.

Photo courtesy Colibrí Workshop

Artist Bio

Aaminah Rasheed is an artist and graphic designer with a growing focus on community-based work. Her pieces have been featured in multiple pop-ups across the city and at Grounds For Sculpture in New Jersey in 2022. In 2021, she completed her first large-scale mural for the local organization PHonk!Philly, which sparked her passion for mural-making. Aaminah’s work is driven by a love of creative expression and a desire to inspire others to share their stories. Her goal as an artist is to foster genuine connections and make people feel seen through her art.

About the ONE Sculpture

Since children are the focus, this piece uses bright, bold and complementary colors alongside inviting imagery representing a diverse range of young patients. Doctors and parents are included as the children’s biggest supporters, emphasizing care and community. Several motifs appear throughout the design, including a bell at the top of the sculpture being rung by a mother and child, symbolizing both Philadelphia and the hope, change and triumph associated with hospital bell-ringing ceremonies that celebrate patients completing treatment. The base features a nostalgic roadmap-style carpet pattern, designed to engage and delight both children and adults alike.

“I am choosing to represent the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) because I believe children’s health is extremely important to society, and I take pride in being from the city that is home to the first one of its kind in America. I have also spent quite some time there on and off as a child being treated for a severe case of asthma for years. So, being able to now give back in a way as a thank you feels like a full circle moment. Children should be able to spend as much time outside living their lives and enjoying their childhood as possible, but if their families have a choice of where to have their health needs met, I believe that CHOP and its team is a great place to prioritize children’s health.”

Mistakes were made … and fixed! Celebrate the bright idea that stuck, a pencil with its own built-in eraser, invented right here in Philly. It’s the write stuff.

Artist Bio

Daniel Lipschutz is a Philadelphia-based artist and educator who creates large-scale collaborative works exploring our interconnectedness to nature and each other. After leaving an engineering career in 2015, he pursued art full-time, producing WonderPHL World, a Philadelphia-themed coloring book. His collaborations with Mural Arts began in 2017 and include participation in over forty public art projects.

About the ONE Sculpture

Daniel’s approach blends personal memory, community collaboration and historical research.

“Designing a ONE for the first pencil with an attached eraser has provided a moment to celebrate my journey from engineering into art. The eraser is such a potent tool and powerful symbol, honoring the possibility of acknowledging our mistakes or misdirections, and giving ourselves the permission to rewrite and reroute our course.”

Philly was first at forecasting the future! The very first U.S. Weather Bureau office opened in Philadelphia in 1870 as part of the Signal Service, laying the foundation for modern meteorology.

December Firsts are sponsored by Fulton Bank.

Artist Bio

Daniel Lipschutz is a Philadelphia-based artist and educator who creates large-scale collaborative works exploring our interconnectedness to nature and each other. After leaving an engineering career in 2015, he pursued art full-time, producing WonderPHL World, a Philadelphia-themed coloring book. His collaborations with Mural Arts began in 2017 and include participation in over forty public art projects.

About the ONE Sculpture

Daniel’s approach blends personal memory, community collaboration and historical research.

“The Franklin Institute, where the first weather bureau ONE sculpture will be placed, has been a pillar in my journey of creativity and wonder, and is now a favorite place to take my young son to engage him at the intersection of art and science.”

Before smartphones and laptops, there was ENIAC. Born at Penn, the world’s first programmable, electronic computer crunched numbers and changed everything. From circuits to cyberspace, it all began in Philly.

December Firsts are sponsored by Fulton Bank.

Photo courtesy Colibrí Workshop

Artist Bio

Allegra Yvonne Gia is a visual artist whose work integrates her backgrounds in film, architecture and graphic design. She first became interested in architecture while attending a charter school focused on design, later studying Design and Technology at Parsons School of Design, where she concentrated on animation and motion graphics. Allegra completed her bachelor’s degree in Film and Media Arts at Temple University. Influenced by her upbringing in both Philadelphia and New York City, her work blends structural principles with narrative visual language. She currently lives in Montgomery County and works as a freelance visual artist.

About the ONE Sculpture

This piece illustrates the evolution of computing, tracing the progression from the ENIAC, one of the earliest electronic computers, to the modern laptops we use today. The design highlights technological innovation and the rapid advancement of digital tools, celebrating humanity’s ingenuity and the transformative impact of computers on everyday life.

“I like that I had sculpture for the first computer. It’s cool to see the evolution of computers and technology.”

Check it out … no, really! Founded by Ben Franklin, the Library Company became America’s first public lending library, putting books in hands and ideas in motion. Not surprisingly, Philadelphia wrote the first chapter.

December Firsts are sponsored by Fulton Bank.

Photo courtesy Colibrí Workshop

Artist Bio

Cody Stuhltrager is a versatile, meticulous artist who became connected with Mural Arts Philadelphia and the region’s robust public art scene while incarcerated at Graterford State Prison. He works in a variety of media and has had works exhibited at numerous venues, including the Barnes Foundation. He aspires to make art that challenges beliefs and practices that perpetuate injustice. In 2020, Cody earned a B.A. in Liberal Arts from Villanova University.

About the ONE Sculpture

In designing this piece, Stuhltrager visited the Library Company of Philadelphia, exploring its remarkable collection of books and artifacts and speaking with the staff who care for them. Inspired by the library’s aesthetic and the idea that shared knowledge enriches and enlightens communities, the design reflects both the visual character of the space and the overarching concept of pooled public knowledge.

“After earning a degree in Library Science, my mom worked in libraries throughout my youth. She’s always been an avid reader, and she tried her best to pass that on to me. So, when I saw the opportunity to design the First for the Library Company, I felt compelled — perhaps even hereditarily obligated.”

Philly has an appetite for history! From the very first cheesesteak to the first water ice and bubble gum, the city served up iconic tastes that still satisfy today. Delicious history, Philadelphia-style.

December Firsts are sponsored by Fulton Bank.

Photo courtesy Colibrí Workshop

Artist Bio

Jenn Procacci is a visual artist and designer working in a variety of media. She often utilizes mural making, painting, printmaking, photography and sculpture in her practice. Procacci has worked with Mural Arts Philadelphia since 2010. Her honors include generous funding from the California Arts Council and the Community Foundation of Mendocino County. She is driven by the way public art activates communities and promotes egalitarianism by breaking down the socio-economic barriers that often control access to the arts. Procacci holds a Bachelor of Art from Temple University’s Tyler School of Art & Architecture.

About the ONE Sculpture 

Celebrating Philadelphia’s beloved foodways, this piece features playful and mouthwatering imagery of the city’s iconic cheesesteak alongside water ice and bubblegum — treats all invented in Philadelphia. The work honors local culinary creativity and community traditions, capturing the flavors, joy and nostalgia that make the city’s food culture unique and beloved.

“As someone who loves to cook and eat, getting to depict our classic Philadelphia food ways through this ONE sculpture is an honor for me. My paternal great-grandfather, James Procacci, who emigrated from Italy to New Jersey in the early 1900s, invented and sold a variety of water ice in Camden that he called Yum Yum. I guess you could say it’s in my blood.”