The Philadelphia Story

The Transcendent Choir of Philadelphia performing at the Sail Through This to That opening ceremony at Independence National Historical Park. Photo: Paul Laster.

By PAUL LASTER and RENEE RICCARDO, July 1, 2026

With America’s 250th birthday in mind, we recently journeyed to Philadelphia, the nation’s first capital, at the invitation of ArtPhilly, an arts and culture organization hosting a citywide, multidisciplinary arts festival celebrating the semiquincentennial.

Traveling on one of Amtrak’s rapid NextGen Acela trains, we stayed at The Fitler Club, a private lifestyle and social club that showcases its world-class art collection throughout the hotel, restaurant, and public spaces before delving into the city’s cultural delights.

Featuring over 30 original commissioned projects and more than 100 events spanning music, theater, dance, visual arts, film, poetry, and culinary arts, ArtPhilly’s What Now: 2026 inaugural arts and culture festival spread across Philadelphia from May 27 through July 2, 2026, with several activations extending through the July 4th weekend and into the summer.

After catching a selection of the opening events, we headed to the city’s rich array of museums, galleries, and art centers to see related exhibitions and projects, and to discover new cultural sites in America’s birthplace.

Scroll through to see our take on ArtPhilly’s What Now: 2026, where every picture tells a story WM

 Paul Ramírez Jonas with his Let Freedom Ring installation at Cherry Street Pier. Photo: Renée Riccardo.

The stage set for The America Play by Tony Award-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks at the Wilma Theater. Photo: Paul Laster.

The cast of The America Play at the Wilma Theater taking its final bow. Photo: Paul Laster.

Eric Fischl painting in the restaurant of The Fitler Club. Photo: Paul Laster.

Inside the Founders' Room of The Mütter Museum. Photo: Renée Riccardo.

ArtPhilly Founders Bill Adair and Katherine Sachs speaking at the opening reception at Frankie’s Supper Club. Photo: Paul Laster.

DJ spinning music at the ArtPhilly opening party at Village of Industry and Art. Photo: Paul Laster.

Installation view, Jennifer Bartlett: Sea Wall at Locks Gallery. Photo: Paul Laster.

Artist and public historian Aislinn Pentecost-Farren, curator of the exhibition From Our Forefather: Climate Crisis in Chemistry History at the Science History Institute, discussing work in the show. Photo: Paul Laster.

 Three nuns lunching at the Reading Terminal Market. Photo: Renée Riccardo.

Jessie Krime's Arrowhead (2021) in the exhibition Jesse Krimes: Elegy Quilts at the Fabric Workshop and Museum. Photo: Paul Laster.

 Fabric Workshop and Museum Executive and Artistic Director Kelly Shindler discussing pieces on the Feldman Forum Swatch Wall. Photo: Paul Laster.

Fabric Workshop and Museum Curatorial Fellow Hilde Nelson discussing works in the Some American Dreams exhibition. Photo: Paul Laster.

Fabric Workshop and Museum Print Project Technician Virgil Marti discussing a new fabric print by Katherine Bernhardt in the production studio. Photo: Paul Laster.

William Villalongo's The Thirsty Laborer (If You Build It) (2012) and Marie Watt's Skywalker/Skyscraper (Allegory) (2012) in PAFA's A Nation of Artists exhibition. Photo: Renée Riccardo.

PAFA Curator of Historical American Art Lea Stephenson discussing the A Nation of Artists exhibition in front of Benjamin West's monumental Death on the Pale Horse (1817) painting. Photo: Renée Riccardo.

Kati Gegenheimer's painting The Edge of the Earth Ballet (2023) in the exhibition Kati Gegenheimer: We’ve Only Just Begun in the Morris Gallery at PAFA. Photo: Renée Riccardo.

Paola Morsiani, Director of the Brodsky Center at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts discussing the exhibition Fred Wilson: The Master Plan. Photo: Paul Laster.

 Charles Willson Peale masterpiece The Artist in His Museum (1822) in PAFA's A Nation of Artists exhibition. Photo: Paul Laster.

A 17-foot-tall full-scale replica of Michelangelo's David, dwarfing a spectator, in PAFA's Cast Hall. Photo: Paul Laster.

 Deborah Kass' monumental public art sculpture OY/YO (2015) installed outside the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History on Independence Mall. Photo: Renée Riccardo.

Dominique “Rem’mie” Fells speaking at the Sail Through This to That opening ceremony at Independence National Historical Park. Photo: Paul Laster.

Association for Public Art Executive Director Charlotte Cohen and Sarah Eberle, Vice President of Arts and Programming for the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation/Cherry Street Pier, at the Sail Through This to That opening ceremony at Independence National Historical Park. Photo: Paul Laster.

Bouquet of Flowers (1840-60), an anonymous artwork, in A Nation of Artists at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Photo: Renée Riccardo.

 Philadelphia Museum of Art guide discussing Charles Willson Peale George Washington at Princeton (1779), in A Nation of Artists at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Photo: Paul Laster.

Women's Dress (1866-68) in A Nation of Artists at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Photo: Paul Laster.

Wharton H. Esherick's Fireplace, Doorway, and a Pair of Andirons (1935-38) and Donald Deskey's Screen (c. 1929-31) in A Nation of Artists at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Photo: Paul Laster.

Marcel Duchamp's The Bride Stripped Bare by Her Bachelors, Even (The Large Glass) (1916-1923) at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Photo: Paul Laster.

Garrett Bradley's multichannel video installation America (2019) in the exhibition Freedom Dreams at the Barnes Foundation. Photo: Paul Laster.

 Sky Hopinka's Red Metal Dust (2026) at the Barnes Foundation. Photo: Paul Laster.

Calder Gardens, exterior view. landscape design by Piet Oudolf, working alongside landscape architect Richard Herbert, and building design by architects Herzog & de Meuron. Photo: Paul Laster.

Calder Gardens, interior view with Alexander Calder's Jerusalem Stabile II (1976). Photo: Renée Riccardo.

Calder Gardens, exterior view with Alexander Calder's Tripes (1974). Photo: Paul Laster.

Calder Gardens, interior view with Alexander Calder's Untitled (1948). Photo: Renée Riccardo.

Calder Gardens, exterior view with landscape design by Piet Oudolf, working alongside landscape architect Richard Herbert, reflected in the building design by architects Herzog & de Meuron. Photo: Paul Laster.