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My painting “Freedom Across Civilizations” will be unveiled at the Penn Museum on March 12th, 5:30 - 7 pm. The Museum commissioned this permanent interior mural. The piece will be located inside the museum’s east entrance from the unveiling event onwards.  East Entrance: 1 Convention Ave. , Philadelphia, PA 19104.   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. Local students contributed their ideas and painting to the painting’s borders.   Penn  Museum: 3260 South Street, Philadelphia, PA www.penn.museum Parking    www.upenn.edu/parking

Secret Show Exhibition

 

My paintings, Swim in Light and Cosmic Collision, will be included in The Secret Show. Presented by Era Contemporary , curated by Emma Hapner and hosted at The Jane Gallery.   32 N. 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Opening Reception: February 6th , 5 - 9 pm. On view February 1st - February 30th, 2026. Thu - Sun 12 - 4 pm.   The exhibition presents an evocative collection of works inspired by secrecy, hidden narratives, and the whispers of what is revealed to those who look closely.   More information at eracontemporary.com    Inquiries can be sent to eracontemporary@gmail.com

"Swim in Light" Oil 8 x 10 inches                "Cosmic Collision" Acrylic and Colored Pencil, 8 x 11.5 inches

Stars of Philadelphia Mural

 

“Stars of Philadelphia” is now on view to the public. At the Tiger Woods Foundation Learning Lab at Cobbs Creek Golf Course inside the Little Horse Tavern restaurant. 7403 Lansdowne Ave., Philadelphia, PA. Featuring Philadelphia celebrities shining like stars as inspiration for others to also share their light. Including Johnny McDermott, Dawn Staley, Kobe Bryant, Wilt Chamberlain, Charlie Sifford, Tina Fey, Will Smith, Patti LaBelle, Quest Love and Eve. Sponsored by Mural Arts Philadelphia. An Inquirer article about the space inquirer.com/food/restaurants/little-horse-tavern-cobbs-creek-golf-philadelphia-20251212.html

Some process behind the mural in video. Part 1 - https://youtu.be/PPGSg5_St3w Part 2 - https://youtu.be/dd7fcXvYkBQ Part 3 - https://youtu.be/BqnBrGu0K3s

An interview describing more of the process hosted by Philly has heART is at https://rss.com/podcasts/philly-has-heart/2260468/. I had a great time talking with Lucinda and Robert about the mural and my art development. There may be a mural unveiling event in the spring once construction at the golf course is completed. If so, I will share an update.

I will be showing three pieces in the Autumn Jam show organized by Shawnna L. Regan (Williams) and Enigmatic Sounds LLC September 20th, 6 - 10pm at Loft Abstract, 954 N 8th St., Philadelphia, PA  To register for admission tickets of $12.51 please visit.  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/you-know-who-autumn-jam-tickets-1563087830779?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

Including ,  “Creative Discovery ”, Oil, 12 x 16 inches. (I changed some costume elements, so this is no longer fan art but an original character). “Song of Gold and Silver ”, Oil, 8 x 11 inches  And, “Healing ”, Acrylic and colored pencil, 8 x 11 inches  After the armor breaks you find how much you can take.

I will be visiting Paris. I have prints and some paintings available in the Paris Manga & Sci-Fi Show. October 4TH & 5TH, 2025 SHOWING IN THE ARTIST ALLEY AREA OF EVENT Parc des Expositions PARIS NORD VILLEPINTE ZAC Paris Nord 2 93 420 Villepinte Paris Nord Villepinte - Hall 5A   www.parismanga.fr More prints available at www.inprnt.com/gallery/arthurhaywood/

 

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