Ballroom culture is a big part of today’s world, influencing language, dress, and social interaction. It functions as a social redress and a life-giving space for a community who is otherwise faced with social and economic disparity. It was important for us to highlight the unique space and local history of Philadelphia Ballroom. “Finally on 13th”, created by visual artist Nile Livingston, offers a face to Philadelphia’s particular community that may be largely unknown or obscured by Ballroom’s recent mainstream posture. It honors important figures, such as Michael Gaston, Tina Cartier, Kerri Mizahri, Renee Karan, Aber Cartier, Kelly Harper, Alvernian Prestigue, Jay Blahnik, Meechie Lanvin, and Jacen Bowman, who, despite outside attacks, helped shape the Philadelphia Ballroom scene and community.
Livingston, strived to authentically represent Philadelphia Ballroom greats in the mural design. When conducting research for the project, she relied on people from the community who could share their personal archives (such as photos, invites, and vocabulary) and stories about the Philadelphia Ballroom scene. A special thanks to Jacen Bowman for reaching out to Mural Arts Philadelphia to inquire about bringing this mural to life.
“Finally on 13th” aims to transcend time, connecting with those who experienced Philadelphia Ballroom firsthand and future generations. Ballroom, as a celebratory event that embraces diversity and redefines the home spaces. Ballroom is a safe space for marginalized communities. The colorful mural, placed in Philadelphia’s gayborhood, represents the scene’s vastness and resilience and matches the lives of the people coming into their being in this small section of the city.
