Under the warmth of Saturday's sun, the El train rumbled by the KCT Community Garden as community members gathered for a special event celebrating the arrival of Roberto Lugo’s first Kensington sculpture installation.
The “Garden Party” was not an ordinary event; it was a vibrant display of art, culture, and community spirit, marking the unveiling of one of the major sculptures from the “We Here” project at the Kensington Corridor Trust (KCT) property at Kensington Avenue and Madison Street.
“It feels really surreal... when you imagine something really big, and you see it come to life... it’s wonderful,” Lugo said on Saturday.
Lugo, a Kensington native and award-winning artist, leads the “We Here” project, a public art initiative focusing on youth, creativity, and pottery, in collaboration with the Mural Arts Porch Light program and the project's community advisory council.
“We Here” is supported by organizations like The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage and the City of Philadelphia's Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS).
The project includes free community pottery workshops, public programs, and a bilingual children’s book based on Lugo’s artistic journey to increase the community’s accessibility to art.
Lugo said that growing up in Kensington, his introduction to art was through city murals and graffiti with his cousins.
“That’s the thing about growing up here; a lot of times, we don’t get the opportunities to do things like make art,” he said. “I never had any art classes growing up in Kensington.”
On Saturday, Lugo made his vision clear.
“For me, art is about resistance and overcoming. Growing up here, I would have felt a sense of pride seeing someone take the time to bring public art to the community, especially art that represents us,” he said. “I feel deeply committed to creating opportunities for other artists to make art.”
For the installation, Lugo designed three outdoor sculptures incorporating patterns and designs inspired by and created by local residents.
“We taught people how patterns are made all over the world and then taught them how to make their own patterns,” Lugo said. “We used a lot of those patterns to paint the pots, so the pieces are in the community, but they’re also of and for the community.”
Saturday's event featured a variety of activities and vendors, including free tacos from Korea Taqueria and popsicles from Fríos Gourmet Pops.
There were also art-making stations, face paintings by Kelsie Lilly, and pottery demonstrations with Lugo, which helped attendees create some art of their own.
Dancers from Urban Movement Arts brought energy and movement to the celebration.
“I feel like if this happens more often, a lot of kids will come over here and have fun... usually it is nothing but violence and drugs... if y’all keep on doing this, I will have to keep coming because I usually never leave the house,” said McKenna Williams, a Kensington resident.
At the event, community members emphasized how the “We Here” project is more than just an art installation; it catalyzes positive change, promoting healing and unity through creativity.
“It means a lot because it’s not only something new and unique in the community of Kensington, but it’s something I’m a part of,” said Margarita Gonzales, a community advisory council member and the community coordinator and connector for Impact Services. “It brings them some hope because they see some change... we all came together to create that idea.”
As the “Garden Party” event came to a close, it was evident that the event had left a lasting impression on everyone there, including Lugo.
“I love Kensington,” said Lugo. “This is home for me.”
Have any questions, comments, or concerns about this story? Send an email to editors@kensingtonvoice.com.
