Charm Offensive Part 1, 2026
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See a Monument, Reimagined — Two Days Only
John Y. Wind: Charm Offensive @ Reilly Memorial
Saturday April 18 & Sunday April 19, 2026 | 10am – 6pmArtist Talk, Button Giveaway & Public Workshop
Saturday April 18 | 2 – 4pm
Free and open to the public
William M. Reilly Memorial
Northwest Terrace, behind the Philadelphia Museum of Art Along Waterworks Drive (Search “Fountain of the Sea Horses” in map apps)
Septa 38 bus to Art Museum Dr & Back Entrance -
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For one weekend only, artist John Y. Wind presents a site-specific installation at the William M. Reilly Memorial.
It transforms a historic monument to six foreign-born generals of the American Revolution. Originally conceived by General William M. Reilly as a tribute to “liberty-loving men” from abroad, the memorial reflects ideals of courage, migration, and shared purpose.Now, those figures are considered through a more nuanced lens. Wind revisits the monument through research with the Association for Public Art. Its’ histories open to new readings. Oversized charm jewelry, fringed flags, and banners enter the scene. Reflective elements catch the light and move in the open air.Part adornment. Part interruption. Light shifts the terms.
Presented as part of Radical Americana, organized by The Clay Studio.
A follow-up exhibition, John Y. Wind: Charm Offensive, will be presented by InLiquid May 22 – October 6, 2026 at Park Towne Place, South Tower. -
https://docs.google.com/document/d/181pp9by_s9292JFP8aU3pG0PSFti9xPo_-e7TV-qfi0/edit?pli=1&tab=t.0 -
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Learn About The Generals
Click to enter personalized glossaries containing info about each charm and banner used to adorn the monuments ~Baron Von Steuben
General Casimir Pulaski
General Nathanael Greene
General Richard Montgomery
Marquis de Lafayette
John Paul Jones -
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Radical Americana is a city-wide project organized by The Clay Studio that unites Philadelphia’s arts & culture institutions in a series of 25 exhibitions responding to the Semiquincentennial. Charm Offensive @ Reilly Memorial is part of this collective celebration and exploration.
Special thanks to:Clay Studio — Vision & additional supportAssociation for Public Art — Research partnerReilly Trust — Permission & additional support
InLiquid — Exhibition partner
Creative Philadelphia
Philadelphia Parks & Rec
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Christopher Tyler Studio — Photography
Creative Synergy Media — Video
Evelyn Bergquist — John Wind Studio
Jennifer Francis
Bill Osman
Jerry Wind -
