OUR MARKET PROJECT

ABOUT

“Our Market” is a community-centered, multi-layered, multi-year public art project created and led by local artist Michelle Angela Ortiz. The project was developed in April 2019. “Our Market” is focused on supporting the (im)migrant vendors, business owners, and neighbors that work and reside in the 9th Street Market, the artist’s home for 40+ years. The Project invests in the 9th Street Market by offering creative community strategies to tackle the issues of gentrification, racism, displacement, and erasure.

COMMUNITY STORYTELLING

The 9th Street Market in Philadelphia was created over 100 years ago by newly arrived immigrants that collectively fought to claim space in the city. Prior to the arrival of Italian immigrants, there was already the presence of Jewish and Irish vendors and African American laborers in the Market. The Market has paved the way for many families to build a better life. Italian, Mexican, Central American, South American, Southeast Asian, and African Americans are the mix of people that continue to contribute to the livelihood and spirit of the Market.
Widening the narrative is a crucial component of the project that we are building with Community Connectors in the Market. We are developing community-led tours, story circles, and a growing digital archive.

GATHERINGS

Gatherings are a way to acknowledge and celebrate our traditions and collective efforts in our Market. Since October 2020, we have offered several events that involve performances, tours, and a block party.

The "Honoring Our Ancestors" features footage of the Market in 1937 along with a performance with Orchestra 2001 showcasing musical compositions featuring life, loss, transitions, enlightenment, and memory. The main goal for this event was to open a space of collective grieving during the pandemic as well as using music to bring light and honor to our Market loved ones as a way of elevating their spirit.