Student Arts Commission, Artist Open Call: Mapping Philadelphia Pharmacy, A People’s History – May 29

Posted by Saint Joseph's University on May 12, 2026

Saint Joseph’s University is commissioning three undergraduate artists this summer 2026. Are you an undergrad or recently graduated artist? Please submit an application to be considered as a featured artist in the summer 2026 exhibition, Mapping Philadelphia Pharmacy, A People’s History, at the Marvin Samson Museum for the History of Pharmacy (MSMHP) at Saint Joseph’s University.

The project: As part of the America250 exhibition Mapping Philadelphia Pharmacy, A People’s History (MSMHP) is creating a map and directory of independent pharmacies operating in Philadelphia today. The Philadelphia Independent Pharmacy Map will be printed as a full color folding pamphlet and be freely distributed in the museum and at participating pharmacies throughout the city. The map will include illustrations of twenty-four featured pharmacies created by undergraduate or recently graduated artists. The originals of the illustrations commissioned for the map will be placed on display in the museum exhibition.

Who’s eligible: Undergraduate students currently enrolled in or within one year of graduation from Philadelphia Higher Education Network for Neighborhood Development (PHENND)-affiliated universities. PHENND is a consortium of over 30 colleges and universities in the greater Philadelphia area. Click here for a full list of participating universities.

What’s required: Selected artists will create illustrations of eight Philadelphia pharmacies. Artists will receive their pharmacies assignments upon their acceptance of the commission. Illustrations must be no smaller than 5×7 in. and no larger than 12×16 in. All eight original illustrations must be received by the museum no later than August 3, 2026.

What’s awarded: Artists will receive a $500 cash prize upon project completion. Original artwork will be displayed in the Marvin Samson Museum for the History of Pharmacy, located at 600 S. 43rd Street in Philadelphia, from August through December 2026.

Selection process: Three artists will be selected by a committee of Saint Joseph’s University faculty and staff and MSMHP’s 2024/2025 Artist-in-Residence Teresa Cervantes. Selected artists will be notified by June 5, 2026.

Applications close at midnight on May 29th, 2026.

APPLY HERE! (This is a google form, so you will need to be signed into a google account to complete it.)