Radical Americana
Radical Americana is a citywide exhibition initiative led by The Clay Studio for the Semiquincentennial, bringing together exhibitions at Philadelphia-area arts and cultural institutions. The participating artists respond to Philadelphia’s artistic and civic history, including the original 1776 commemoration and later anniversaries in 1876, 1926, and 1976. Their new work considers the nation’s present and future, encourages civic dialogue, celebrates Philadelphia’s diversity, and continues the city’s tradition of creative and community-minded work.
The initiative includes exhibitions at The Clay Studio and partner venues throughout the region, along with tours, conversations, artist programs, and community events.
When: April 9–December 31, 2026.
Venue: The Clay Studio, with additional exhibitions at partner institutions throughout Philadelphia and the surrounding area.
Description: The Clay Studio has organized Radical Americana as a consortium of exhibitions exploring how contemporary artists engage with the art, history, civic life, and diverse communities of Philadelphia. The initiative is presented in connection with the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
Participating artists: Roberto Lugo, Sophie Glenn, Jody Graff, Adam Chau, Michael Biello, Rosalind Sutkowski, Natessa Amin, Janna Gregonis, Naya Lee Chang, Kristen Neville Taylor, Samara Weaver, Jacintha Kruc, Jonathan Wahl, Angelique Scott, Monna Morton, Caitlin McCormack, Jessica Eldredge, Duwenavue Santé Johnson, BA Harrington, Viola Bordon, Bell-Pilar Flemming, Bri Murphy, Dennis Ritter, Miranda Lopez, Hagudeza Rullán-Fantauzzi, Scarlett DeLorme, Justin Jain, Aimee Koran, John Y. Wind, Kate Strachan, Charlotte Lindley Martin, Terri Saulin, and Lyla Kaplan.
The Clay Studio exhibitions: From April 9–July 5, 2026, The Clay Studio presents American Crib: What’s Happening?, an exhibition featuring Roberto Lugo. Lugo’s work addresses the resilience of underrepresented communities and the continuing need to confront systemic forces in contemporary society, while emphasizing art’s ability to open dialogue in a polarized world. The Welcome Hub provides an overview of the broader initiative, showing examples of the perspectives, media, and artistic approaches visitors may encounter at partner locations.
Partner exhibitions: The initiative also includes Changing Faces of Independence at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, January 22–April 24, 2026, featuring Duwenavue Santé Johnson; exhibitions by BA Harrington and Viola Bordon at the Museum of Art in Wood, with openings listed for April 3 and March 6; Radical Americana: Sophie Glenn and Jody Graff at Andalusia Historic House, Gardens & Arboretum, March 28–November 13, 2026; Sadware by Belle-Pilar Fleming and Bri Murphy, along with a solo exhibition by Dennis Ritter, at Stenton beginning April 1 and continuing onward; a solo exhibition by Katie Strachan in the Free Library of Philadelphia’s Rare Book Department, April 8–October 13, 2026; solo exhibitions by Adam Chau and Michael Biello at Biello Martin Studio, April 30–July 31, 2026; a solo exhibition by Scarlett DeLorme at the Dina Wind Art Foundation, May 16–September 7, 2026; solo exhibitions by Terri Saulin and Charlotte Lindley Martin at No. 5 Butchie Alley, May 16–July 1, 2026; solo exhibitions by Hagudeza Rullán-Fantauzzi and Miranda Lopez at Taller Puertorriqueño, with dates listed as May 22 and April 6, 2026; a solo exhibition by John Y. Wind at InLiquid beginning May 29 and continuing through July 11; solo exhibitions by Caitlin McCormack and Jessica Eldredge at Glen Foerd beginning June 7 and continuing through a date to be determined; solo exhibitions by Angelique Scott and Monna Morton at The Colored Girls Museum in spring 2026; Looking Glass at Cliveden, featuring Naya Lee Chang, Janna Gregonis, Jacintha Kruc, Kristen Neville Taylor, Samara Weaver, and Jonathan Wahl, with dates to be determined; a solo exhibition by Adam Chau at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, with dates to be determined; solo exhibitions by Scarlett DeLorme, Justin Jain, and Amy Cousins at the William Way LGBTQ Community Center, June 1–30, 2026; solo exhibitions by Rosalind Sutkowski and Natessa Amin at the John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove in fall 2026; a solo exhibition by Aimee Koran at Moore College of Art, July 25–September 12, 2026; and an exhibition featuring work by more than 10 artists at Historic Yellow Springs, with dates to be determined.
Related programming: Clay Fest takes place June 13, 2026, from 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. at The Clay Studio. The family-friendly event includes hands-on activities celebrating clay, community, and the theme of home, inspired by American Crib: What’s Happening? A Radical Americana bus tour is scheduled for May 30, 2026, from 9 a.m.–1 p.m., visiting The Clay Studio, Andalusia, and Glen Foerd for curator-led tours and artist conversations. Clay and Conversations, formerly called Lunch & Learn, is scheduled on Thursdays in 2026 from 1–2 p.m. and features discussions and gatherings with ceramic artists, curators, scholars, and other guests, either in The Clay Studio’s fourth-floor conference room or online through Zoom.
Showtimes: No general exhibition hours or showtimes are provided in the page text.
Ages: The overall initiative has no stated age restriction. The related Clay Fest program is described as welcoming all ages.
Accessibility: No general accessibility information is provided in the page text.
Tickets: Price not available.