Travelers passing through Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) now have new reasons to slow down and look around. The airport is home to three new art installations that celebrate the city, its creativity and community through photography and murals.
Collective Works of a Community Darkroom, created in partnership with Fleisher Art Memorial, highlights decades of photography made by Philadelphians. Founded in 1898, Fleisher Art Memorial has been a place where people have learned, experimented, and told their stories through film for more than 50 years. The photographs on view at PHL span generations and capture moments of life in Philadelphia - stories of connection, kinship, and belonging. The exhibition is presented in celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026 and is located Terminal F, by gate F7.
Philly Starts Here by Philadelphia muralist, ceramicist, and animator Isabella Akhtarshenas brings the city’s energy to life in the Customs Arrival area in Terminal A-West. Akhtarshenas’ mural is a love letter to Philadelphia, featuring iconic landmarks and neighborhood references. The mural welcomes Philadelphians home and invites visitors into the City of Brotherly Love.
The newest addition to PHL’s art collection is an expansive artwork by Emily White, located in the lower level A-West International Corridor. It is a lively ceiling mural that highlights Philadelphia landmarks. The design uses City Hall as its main focus and demonstrates how the city’s neighborhoods branch out from that point. Stripes inspired by a SEPTA public transportation map extend outward from behind City Hall to serve as a visual guide through the space. On the ceiling, these stripes curve into a circle inspired by Eakins Oval (located on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway), then continue outward to connect different landmarks and scenes. The soaring artwork immerses viewers with the look and feel of Philadelphia. Throughout the mural, passengers can also spot native Pennsylvania flowers and wildlife hidden in the design, reminding viewers that nature exists alongside the city.
“The Fleisher Art Memorial, Isabella Akhtarshenas and Emily White artworks are the latest in a series of special exhibitions planned to celebrate America’s 250th birthday and our city’s rich cultural history,” shared PHL Collections and Exhibitions Curator Helen Cahng. “Guests from around the globe will be coming to Philly in 2026 and we’re proud to greet them with the exceptional talent that our local artists have to offer.”
The new installations reflect what makes Philadelphia special: creativity in its communities, stories of its residents, and art that feels alive. Whether the visitors are arriving, departing, or just passing through, PHL’s newest artworks offer a moment to connect with the city and its people.
