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Following the live painting event on Saturday, the Penn Museum is commissioning a permanent interior mural for the museum. Short video of process stages. youtube.com/shorts/RIpB352Nwc4 I will be participating in a Live Painting Event at Penn Museum’s Juneteenth event on June 14th. I will be painting on this piece “Break the chains” from 12 - 4 PM. Located at 3260 South Street, Philadelphia, PA   www.penn.museum/calendar/778/juneteenth-a-celebration-of-freedom The Penn museum was awarded a grant by the Sachs Foundation to produce a mural centered on themes of freedom, education and community. The Office of Staff and Community Engagement, with support from a member of their Community Advisory Group, identified me as an artist who could help bring the vision to life and wanted to highlight my participation in the Mural Arts Philadelphia Fellowship for Black Artists. The piece for the Juneteenth event, called "Breaking the Chains," is meant to highlight some of those themes of freedom, humanity, and community. Later this fall, we will be working on a more permanent project inside the museum that will tell these stories across many different civilizations and bring in the voices of some local students.

 

My pieces will be included in the “Echoes of Identity: Portrait Rooted in Power and Presence” Exhibition at Ultra Silk Gallery.  June 13th - July 3rd. 3859 Lancaster Avenue Reception: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM Friday, June 13, 2025 Gallery open : Wed - Sat 12 - 6 PM, Sun 1 - 5 PM Ultrasilkgallery.com This exhibition brings together four Philadelphia-based artists—Leon Dewitt Finney III, Amir Lyles, Shawnna Regan, and Arthur Haywood—whose portraiture explores layered expressions of identity, legacy, and human presence. Through distinct yet complementary approaches, each artist renders the portrait not just as a likeness, but as a vessel of memory, strength, and transformation.   Leon Dewitt Finney III's symbolic realism honors African American heritage through regal, richly textured figures that embody cultural pride and resilience. Amir Lyles incorporates mixed media, music, and historical cues to construct bold, vibrant portraits that speak to joy, protest, and personal history. Shawnna Regan offers reflective and socially grounded portrayals that center vulnerability, dignity, and lived experience. Arthur Haywood’s narrative style blends the everyday with the imaginative, illuminating the strength of human potential through fantasy-infused storytelling.   Together, these works invite viewers into a dialogue—portraits that look back as much as they look forward, grounded in presence yet echoing across time. For collectors, the show offers technically masterful and emotionally resonant works that capture both individual and collective spirit.     We look forward to welcoming you into this powerful celebration of portraiture and identity. This invitation can be shared through this link www.greenvelope.com/card/1yz6al8/0#card_1 "Elevate" Acrylic and Colored Pencil, 8 x 12 inches   "Eternal Stream of Stardust", Acrylic and  Pencil, 8 x 12 inches "Star Shower" Acrylic and Colored Pencil, 8 x 12 inches           "Stellar", Acrylic and Colored Pencil, 8 x 12 inches "Space Jams" Oil, 11 x 14 inches                                         "Let it Go", Acrylic and Colored Pencil, 5.25 x 8.5 inches My piece “Let it Go” will be included in the “Echoes of Identity" Exhibition at Ultra Silk Gallery.  It is a page from my 2022 - 2024 sketchbook that I will be exhibiting in its entirety in the future. A video of the pages www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Rq_zdc2cRc   I will be participating in a Live Painting Event at Penn Museum’s Juneteenth event on June 14th. I will be painting on this piece “Break the chains” from 12 - 4 PM. Located at 3260 South Street,Philadelphia, PA   www.penn.museum/calendar/778/juneteenth-a-celebration-of-freedom

Writers of the Future Volume 40, including my illustration “Magical Encounters”, won TWO Gold International Book Awards. One in the Science Fiction category and one in the Fantasy category. You were also a Finalist in Anthologies category.   Here is the announcement from IBA: https://www.internationalbookawards.com/2025awardannouncement.html

Endless Reflections Exhibition and Other News

 

I am sharing my Endless Reflections Exhibition. On view May 15th - June 11th 2025  at Plaza Artist Materials, 3200 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19104 Reception : May 24th 2 - 4 PM A collection of paintings depicting heroism and thought through a fantastical lens. From defeating evil to shining among the stars these pieces are metaphors for the trials we overcome and human potential. Paintings available through Etsy.com/shop/ArthurHaywoodFineArt     Full catalog can be viewed at Arthurhaywood.com/endlessreflections M- F 10 - 6  S - Sn 12 -5 Video process behind the painting "Safe Space". Also sharing an online preview of "The Legend of Dorin and Estelle". An illustrated YA book in development. The tale of a boy and girl from opposite worlds on a mission to save their pets. They use their inner light to defeat evil.

Red Rising Book Covers and other News

 

I am sharing the Alternate Dust Jacket covers for the Red Rising series by Pierce Brown that I collaborated on with Joel Daniel Phillips. I painted the acrylic illustrations from compositions designed by Joel Daniel Phillips. Additional digital edits and designs were made by Joel. Available at lit-escalates.com  Signed and Personalized Copies of the Second Trilogy of the Red Rising Series are available on their site through April 18th while supplies last. Books signed by Pierce Brown and Joel Daniel Phillips. © 2025 Lit Escalates First Trilogy Covers            Second Trilogy Covers New paintings as fan art inspired by Marvel’s “Captain America: Eli Bradley”, “Shuri” and “The Kingpin”

"Rise Up", Oil, 12 x 16 inches "Creative Genius", Oil, 12 x 16 inches "Evil Heights", Oil, 12 x 16 inches A recent article is at canvasrebel.com/meet-arthur-haywood

Space and Time Magazine #148 Cover

My painting “Dragon Tales” is featured on the cover of Space and Time Magazine issue #148. Available at spaceandtimemagazine.net and Amazon.com

The painting was based on a photo by my friend, Joy, of her daughter. joysphotographie.com 

I am available for a few portrait commissions in the fantasy/sci-fi genre for the fall. Inquiries can be made by email. ahaywoodstudio@gmail.com More information on the process is at arthurhaywood.com/commission-a-painting

Paintings on view in Philadelphia

 

I have paintings on view in Philadelphia now that I have moved back to the area.   I am honored to have my painting “Return of Spring” on view in my dad’s office.    Senator Art Haywood   7106 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19119 Having a father who has organized reading camps and mother who was president of the Cheltenham school board showed me the impact of engaging others in literacy. This painting was created as a project with students at Lycée Paul Lapie, in Courbevoie, France to encourage them to continue reading. This piece shows students looking into a scene inspired by “The Chronicles of Narnia”. They drop petals around Aslan, the lion, as he is walking. A cheetah greets him with his crown. This piece celebrates the light mood of this story. Students selected their favorite books, posed for the painting and helped paint the border sections of the painting

Paintings on view at the Fitler Club. 24 South 24th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103     Paintings from my book “The Great Library” about scholars from the Library of Alexandria in Egypt. More info about my book at arthurhaywood.com/book