After seeing the redesign plans for McPherson Square Park and Library, residents asked for more shade, and requested the library stay open during construction.
Backpack season is underway! We’ve got lots of places for you to scoop up new school supplies before classes start – plus a few opportunities to get wet and cool off on hot days.
McPherson Square Library, which has been closed since June 21st due to a broken air conditioning system, may reopen by next Tuesday in time for a meeting with the City of Philadelphia’s Rebuild program.
Guests, artists, community members, Grupo Alegría, and Mad Beatz pose for a group photo in front of a new mural celebrating the Norris Square community and its Caribbean roots, hosted by Mural Arts, at Front and Susquehanna streets on April 19, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)
On April 19, community members, artists, and organizers gathered at the corner of Front and Susquehanna streets (2200 N. Front St.), formerly known as the Fine Fare Supermarket, to celebrate the unveiling of a new mural honoring the Norris Square community and its Caribbean roots. Hosted by Mural Arts Philadelphia (MAP) and CAICU, a public art initiative that connects Norris Square with Loíza, Puerto Rico through murals and cultural exchange, the event featured performances by Grupo Alegría and Mad Beatz Philly, music by DJ Bobby Flowers, food by Amy Pastelillos, and reflections from guest speakers on the neighborhood’s cultural legacy.
The mural was created by a collaborative artist team including Celso González, Omar García “Angurria”, Dan One, Calo Rosa, and Vanessa Vega of the Taína Sisters. Together, they reimagined the wall to reflect the energy of the community and preserve its layered history.
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Check out our photos from the mural dedication below 👇
Celso González, one of the lead artists behind the mural, listens to speakers alongside Grupo Alegría during the unveiling of a new mural celebrating the Norris Square community and its Caribbean roots, hosted by Mural Arts, at Front and Susquehanna streets on April 19, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)Maya Angelique, a spoken word artist, speaks during the unveiling of a new mural celebrating the Norris Square community and its Caribbean roots, hosted by Mural Arts, at Front and Susquehanna streets on April 19, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)Iris Brown, known as “The Dreamer” and the visionary behind the Norris Square Neighborhood Project gardens, listens to speakers during the unveiling of a new mural celebrating the Norris Square community and its Caribbean roots, hosted by Mural Arts at Front and Susquehanna streets on April 19, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)Councilmember Quetcy Lozada speaks during the unveiling of a new mural celebrating the Norris Square community and its Caribbean roots, hosted by Mural Arts, at Front and Susquehanna streets on April 19, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)Grupo Alegría prepares to perform during the unveiling of a new mural celebrating the Norris Square community and its Caribbean roots, hosted by Mural Arts at Front and Susquehanna streets on April 19, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)State Rep. Danilo Burgos, who represents Pennsylvania’s 197th District, speaks during the unveiling of a new mural celebrating the Norris Square community and its Caribbean roots, hosted by Mural Arts, at Front and Susquehanna streets on April 19, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)(Left) Susie and Jose Zoraida listen to speakers during the unveiling of a new mural celebrating the Norris Square community and its Caribbean roots, hosted by Mural Arts at Front and Susquehanna streets on April 19, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)Calo Rosa, a Philadelphia-based artist who collaborated on the mural, speaks during the unveiling of a new mural celebrating the Norris Square community and its Caribbean roots, hosted by Mural Arts at Front and Susquehanna streets on April 19, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)Grupo Alegría performs a traditional bomba dance during the unveiling of a new mural celebrating the Norris Square community and its Caribbean roots, hosted by Mural Arts at Front and Susquehanna streets on April 19, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)Vanessa Vega, a North Philadelphia-based artist and cofounder of the Taína Sisters who collaborated on the mural, speaks during the unveiling of a new mural celebrating the Norris Square community and its Caribbean roots, hosted by Mural Arts at Front and Susquehanna streets on April 19, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)Guests, artists, and organizers gather as speakers address the crowd during the unveiling of a new mural celebrating the Norris Square community and its Caribbean roots, hosted by Mural Arts, at Front and Susquehanna streets on April 19, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)Omar García, also known as "Angurria," a Dominican artist and member of the team behind the mural, speaks during the unveiling of a new mural celebrating the Norris Square community and its Caribbean roots, hosted by Mural Arts, at Front and Susquehanna streets on April 19, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)Grupo Alegría performs a traditional bomba dance during the unveiling of a new mural celebrating the Norris Square community and its Caribbean roots, hosted by Mural Arts at Front and Susquehanna streets on April 19, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)Grupo Alegría performs a traditional bomba dance during the unveiling of a new mural celebrating the Norris Square community and its Caribbean roots, hosted by Mural Arts at Front and Susquehanna streets on April 19, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)The EL passes by as Grupo Alegría performs a traditional bomba dance during the unveiling of a new mural celebrating the Norris Square community and its Caribbean roots, hosted by Mural Arts at Front and Susquehanna streets on April 19, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)The EL passes by as Grupo Alegría performs a traditional bomba dance during the unveiling of a new mural celebrating the Norris Square community and its Caribbean roots, hosted by Mural Arts at Front and Susquehanna streets on April 19, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)Grupo Alegría performs a traditional bomba dance during the unveiling of a new mural celebrating the Norris Square community and its Caribbean roots, hosted by Mural Arts at Front and Susquehanna streets on April 19, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)Grupo Alegría performs a traditional bomba dance during the unveiling of a new mural celebrating the Norris Square community and its Caribbean roots, hosted by Mural Arts at Front and Susquehanna streets on April 19, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)Grupo Alegría performs a traditional bomba dance during the unveiling of a new mural celebrating the Norris Square community and its Caribbean roots, hosted by Mural Arts at Front and Susquehanna streets on April 19, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)Grupo Alegría performs a traditional bomba dance during the unveiling of a new mural celebrating the Norris Square community and its Caribbean roots, hosted by Mural Arts at Front and Susquehanna streets on April 19, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)Guests watch Mad Beatz Philly perform during the unveiling of a new mural celebrating the Norris Square community and its Caribbean roots, hosted by Mural Arts, at Front and Susquehanna streets on April 19, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)Mad Beatz Philly performs during the unveiling of a new mural celebrating the Norris Square community and its Caribbean roots, hosted by Mural Arts, at Front and Susquehanna streets on April 19, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)Guests watch Mad Beatz Philly perform during the unveiling of a new mural celebrating the Norris Square community and its Caribbean roots, hosted by Mural Arts, at Front and Susquehanna streets on April 19, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)(From left) Artists Calo Rosa, Celso González, Vanessa Vega, and Omar García, who collaborated on the mural, pose for a group photo in front of a new mural celebrating the Norris Square community and its Caribbean roots, hosted by Mural Arts, at Front and Susquehanna streets on April 19, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)Grupo Alegría, along with artists Celso González and Omar García, also known as “Angurria,” pose for a group photo in front of a new mural celebrating the Norris Square community and its Caribbean roots at Front and Susquehanna streets on April 19, 2025. (Photo by Solmaira Valerio)
Solmaira Valerio is a North Philly–born photographer and musician whose work draws on their cultural roots to capture the energy, vulnerability, and authenticity of communities while challenging stereotypes and stigma.
The 2025 Norris Square Neighborhood Profile sought to capture information on the area’s population, quality of life, and economic status and spark dialogue among community leaders and residents.
