Meet the Blogger Who’s Empowering Philly’s Street Art Community

When he started his blog, Streets Dept, Conrad Benner wasn’t a graffiti artist, professional photographer or journalist. Benner simply had a camera, a passion for art and a curiosity for the people behind the scenes.

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He started the blog on a free WordPress site and took photos while exploring Philly. Already an avid walker, Benner would find pieces of street art, photograph them and share his work online.

Streets Dept quickly gained a following, as others were interested in the people behind the art too. As it progressed, the content changed from just documentation to a platform to promote local artists, many of whom are fueled by a political or ethical position. Streets Dept helps showcase these messages and their meaning.

Benner told Philadelphia Weekly: “It’s really when I knew that this blog is really more of a collaboration to help showcase the work of these artists and at the same time get educated on their work, how it’s made and its inspiration. I knew that if I found this stuff interesting, there has to be a whole network of people out there who feel the same way I do.”

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According to the blog, its primary focus “is documenting and celebrating street art and muralism across Philly’s public spaces.” By featuring collaborations with city officials, activists, political artists and museums, the blog both creates and celebrates a culture.

In addition to running the blog, Benner offers street art tours on the second Saturday of each month. His blog has been named ‘Best Blogs for Travellers’ by The Guardian, and he was named ‘Best Art Curator’ in 2014 by Philadelphia Magazine. And, in 2017, he was named in ‘The 100 Most Influential People in Philadelphia’ by Philadelphia Magazine.

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Aside from showcasing Philly’s street art scene, Benner is heavily involved in activism. Some of his projects have included the following:

#SEPTA247: A 2014 campaign that urged the South Eastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority to offer overnight weekend services to Philly’s elevated railways.

Next Stop: Democracy: A project that worked to increase voter turnout during Philadelphia elections with the help of local artists.

#AmICutOut: A campaign in 2016 that aimed to help end homelessness among Philadelphia’s youth. For this campaign, Benner helped erect a pop-up art installation to raise awareness.

Signs of Solidarity: A public art protest during the Trump inauguration that showed opposition for hate.

Collective Action: A silent art auction that raised over $23,000 for national social justice groups.

Visitors to Streets Dept can find articles showcasing local art exhibitions, the locations of new murals and artist profiles. He announces his street art tours, provides photos of artists working on their pieces and informs his readers about benefits and art-driven missions. The site has a call to artists that encourages them to let him know when they put up a new piece. This helps ensure that the latest artworks are featured on Streets Dept, making it the go-to place to discover new art.

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