Black dance has long been a vital thread in the cultural fabric of Philadelphia, with roots that trace back to African traditions preserved through centuries of struggle and resilience. Despite being barred from white ballet institutions, pioneering Black dancers like Essie Marie Dorsey opened doors by teaching classical ballet and other genres to Black students in her home as early as 1926, nurturing talents like Sydney King, Marian Cuyjet, and Joan Myers Brown—each of whom went on to educate and inspire thousands.

Their contributions, largely overlooked by mainstream art history, deserve recognition, along with those of Judith Jamison, former Alvin Ailey director and Cuyjet student, and the late Michaela DePrince, a war orphan from Sierra Leone who became an acclaimed soloist trained in Philadelphia.

Mural Arts Philadelphia is seeking to honor the legacy of these trailblazing dancers by working with an artist that :

• Has the ability to deliver a design in the style of narrative portraiture
• Understands the importance of doing their due diligence in historic research
• Is experienced in painting on a large scale and on a range of different surfaces, specifically rough stucco
• Believes in the power of social activism
• Has the motivation to empower future generations through design