The Monument Lab Artist Residency Program launched in 2024 to support emerging public artists in the city of Philadelphia. Through the theme of “exchange,” the program encourages and resources artists to evolve their practice and prepare for future large-scale public art commission opportunities while building stronger relationships within and across the city’s neighborhoods.
Inaugural artists-in-residence Miguel Horn and Symone Salib have been encouraged to experiment with monumental materials and methods; foster neighborhood-based relationships; and join Monument Lab’s growing community of local, national, and transnational monument changemakers. Through this residency, Monument Lab seeks to contribute to the ecosystem of public art practitioners and support emerging artists in growing their bodies of work through place-based relationships.
To learn more about the program, download the Residency Project Brief.
What's Next?
The culmination of a year-long engagement between Monument Lab and Philadelphia-based artists Miguel Horn and Symone Salib, Held: A Monument Lab Residency Exhibition on view December 10th-January 12th, explores belonging and engagement across two distinctive practices. Learn more and RSVP >
About the Artists
Symone Salib is a first generation Cuban/Egyptian street artist, muralist, and trauma informed educator based out of Philadelphia. Through paint and illustration she works to highlight the lives of people across Philadelphia since 2017. She focuses on vibrantly sharing the stories of people in hopes we can connect and resonate with humans who are different from ourselves. She strives to spread joy and create a space where people are not only seen but heard and valued.
Miguel Antonio Horn is a visual artist from Philadelphia with Colombian and Venezuelan roots. He received a certificate in 2006 from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and apprenticed for five years with Mexican artist Javier Marin. He creates large-format sculptures using digital and analog processes in a variety of media. His artworks have been exhibited at the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Tamaulipas, Brownsville Museum of Fine Art, Philadelphia Museum of Art, University of the Arts, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, and as part of the Vancouver Biennale. He has several permanent public installations in the Philadelphia region, Canada and Mexico. He has received grants for workshops and artworks locally and internationally. From 2011 to 2019 he contributed to exhibitions programming and public outreach for the west Philadelphia artist-run Traction Company. He founded El Cubo in the Parkside neighborhood of Philadelphia in 2019 as a space for experimental projects and programming. He is the father of two young children who he raises with his wife and community in South Philadelphia.
About the Monument Lab Artist Residency Program
The Monument Lab Artist Residency Program launched in 2024 to support emerging public artists in the city of Philadelphia. Through the theme of “exchange,” the program encourages and resources artists to evolve their practice and prepare for future large-scale public art commission opportunities while building stronger relationships within and across the city’s neighborhoods.
Inaugural artists-in-residence Miguel Horn and Symone Salib have been encouraged to experiment with monumental materials and methods; foster neighborhood-based relationships; and join Monument Lab’s growing community of local, national, and transnational monument changemakers. Through this residency, Monument Lab seeks to contribute to the ecosystem of public art practitioners and support emerging artists in growing their bodies of work through place-based relationships.