A book and archive with a mission
Over the past months I have had the honor of working with a team of artists, writers, and editors to create The Artblog Atlas of Art & Food in Philadelphia. Artblog is a non-profit online publication started in 2003 by two artist-activists, that is devoted to equality and diversity in the arts. Artblog is a community platform for commentary, advocacy and dialog about contemporary art through discussion of value, truth and power. Artblog will be 20 years old in 2023.
The Artblog Atlas of Art & Food in Philadelphia concept was developed in response to the upheavals created by the pandemic, the recession, and widespread civil unrest.
Artblog writers and editors asked each other, “What can we do?” The answer, from this food-loving group:
“Let’s make a community cookbook! With food stories and recipes and beautiful art. Let’s make a book that merges art, food and social justice! Let’s create a book that is a community archive of a particular time and place important to acknowledge and remember.”
The Artblog Atlas of Art and Food in Philadelphia is a book of stories, interviews, original art and recipes from artists and food industry workers, with a special focus on hunger and food insecurity in a large city with the highest rate of poverty in the nation.
We want the The Artblog Atlas to educate and delight and showcase a more just way of living with food. Publishing in 2023.
The book will be distributed widely, through giveaways, especially to several Philadelphia’s public high schools where students study culinary arts and agriculture management. As an archive with a unique focus on food justice, The Atlas of Art and Food in Philadelphia will be useful to citizens looking to help make the food world a more just and equitable place.
Excerpts from The Artbog Atlas of Art & Food in Philadelphia
“We have strong voices that need to be heard. We want to change the industry from what it’s always known to be, for the better… we are more than just a beverage company. We’re here to make a difference and to show people that you can actually run a company with integrity” — Jamaar Julal (Founder) and Alyssa Foronda (Partner), JamBrü
“My father made this large food processor out of a motor from a washing machine. We would go around Philly and look for things that people throw away.”– Roberto Lugo, ceramicist & activist
“Food justice is ingrained in our mission. We opened our store to help bring fresh and affordable groceries to our community. Access to fresh and affordable food is hugely important in every community, and supports the health and wellbeing of the people who live here. We are always looking to be more accessible and to find ways to support our community and mutual aid groups in the area.”– Rowhouse Grocery, 1713 McKean St. Philadelphia PA 19145
The Artbog Atlas of Art & Food in Philadelphia Team
Urban Creators, JamBrü Kombucha, Justin Favela, Rowhouse Grocery, Patrick Coue, Morgan Nitz, Tessa Mellin, Ashwin Suseendran, Roberta Fallon, Ilana Napoli, Oli Knowles, Angela McQuillan.
Some of the contiributors (list incomplete) include Chloe Luisa Piñero, Chef Kurt Evans, Claes Gabriel, Roberto Lugo, Ken Lum, Dave Kyu, Yvonne Lung, Terri Saulin, Billy Dufala, Justin Favela, Our Mothers Kitchen, Rebel Ventures,
The Artbog Atlas of Art & Food in Philadelphia Team
Urban Creators, JamBrü Kombucha, Justin Favela, Rowhouse Grocery, Patrick Coue, Morgan Nitz, Tessa Mellin, Ashwin Suseendran, Roberta Fallon, Ilana Napoli, Oli Knowles, Angela McQuillan.
Some of the contiributors (list incomplete) include Chloe Luisa Piñero, Chef Kurt Evans, Claes Gabriel, Roberto Lugo, Ken Lum, Dave Kyu, Yvonne Lung, Terri Saulin, Billy Dufala, Justin Favela, Our Mothers Kitchen, Rebel Ventures,