Family, Exhibition Related, Special Events

MLK Day of Service: Illustrating the Dream

Join us for a meaningful MLK Day of Service as we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy through reflection, community, and action. This year’s theme, “Illustrating the Dream,” draws inspiration from Imprinted: Illustrating Race, currently on view, and celebrates the transformative power of art to inspire social change!

With a special keynote address by Patty Jackson of WDAS, the event highlights include nonprofit community vendors, free fresh groceries provided by Delaware Urban Greens, Imprinted: Illustrating Race gallery tours, and a performance by the Wilmington Children’s Chorus. Throughout the day Tay the Creator will lead a hands-on art activity. Select artworks from this creative activity will be chosen for display at The Sold Firm Gallery (Wilmington, DE) throughout the month of February.

We will be hosting a coat and blanket drive to support families and individuals living at the unhoused community site in Christina Park. All donated items must be new. Donations may be dropped off at the Delaware Art Museum from now through the day of the event. Drop-offs are accepted at the front desk Wednesday through Sunday, between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. A designated donation box will be available in the museum coatroom.

Be part of a community day rooted in inspiration, service, and connection.

Event Schedule

• 11:00 AM – Land Acknowledgment by Iz Balleto
• 11:05 AM – Performance by the Wilmington Children’s Chorus
• 11:25 AM – Keynote Address by WDAS’s Patty Jackson
• 11:45 AM – Introduction of Artist Instructor Tay the Creator and Sold Firm Gallery Owner Nataki Oliver
• 12:00 PM – 1:45 PM Imprinted & Social Justice Tours
12:00-12:30 PM- Imprinted (Gallery 10) & Social Justice (Gallery 17) tours
1:15-1:45 PM- Imprinted (Gallery 10) & Social Justice (Gallery 17) tours

Throughout the Day:

• Visit our vendors.
• Enjoy lunch or a snack at Kaffeina Café.
• Donate a new coat or blanket.

About Patty Jackson

The personality shines bright, and the news is always fresh! When Philadelphians seek their go-to source for news mixed with entertainment, they inevitably think of multimedia personality Patty Jackson. Known for her infectious smile and soothing voice, Patty not only knows where to find the best barbecue in the city and navigates the Reading Terminal Market like a pro but is also celebrated for her famous peach cobbler. A proud South Philadelphia native, Patty boasts an impressive 41-year career in radio and multimedia, and she shows no signs of slowing down. Patty began her broadcasting journey at WSSJ in Camden, New Jersey, before moving to Philadelphia’s country station WXTU and later WUSL. In 1987, she joined the WDAS family, and by 1993, she ventured into a new format at WIOQ for a year. However, the call of home brought her back to WDAS, where she currently captivates listeners with her midday show from 10 AM to 3 PM, Monday through Saturday. Her signature voice, engaging features like the 4-1-1, and her popular YouTube channel have cultivated a loyal fanbase that eagerly tunes in. In 2015, Patty faced a life-changing stroke that raised concerns about her return to broadcasting. Yet, she not only recovered but surged forward, crediting her resilience to God and using her journey to advocate for health and wellness. Patty’s accolades are numerous; she was recently honored with a star on the Philadelphia Music Alliance Walk of Fame and inducted into the Philadelphia Broadcast Pioneer Hall of Fame. She has also been named one of the most influential Philadelphians and had the 2300 block of Ellsworth renamed “Patty Jackson Way” in her honor. You can even catch her profile in an issue of Philadelphia Magazine. With an ever-evolving presence on-air, Patty continues to reinvent herself through her thriving YouTube channel and her successful podcast, “Patty and the Millennials.” Driven by her passion for entertainment and a commitment to keeping her audience informed, Patty Jackson is a force to be reckoned with in the world of media. As she always says, “It’s not cute not knowing!”

About Tay

As a multidisciplinary artist, I navigate fluidly between painting, digital media, sound, and illustration – each medium offering a distinct lens through which I tell stories. My practice is deeply rooted in storytelling, with every piece reflecting my lived experience as a Black woman, a creator, and a lifelong student of emotion.

Though I’ve received formal training, much of my artistic evolution has unfolded beyond institutional walls – through experimentation, intuition, and the freedom to explore. Portraiture, in particular, has been a cornerstone of my journey. Whether commissioned or deeply personal, each portrait challenges me to go beyond physical likeness and uncover the emotional truth beneath the surface.

I’ve created work for both corporate and educational spaces, building a business that honors my creative vision while remaining grounded in community and authenticity. My inspiration draws from the visual language of Black contemporary art, the textures of childhood memory, and the collective experience of Black identity.

Color is central to my process – it’s my way of speaking joy, tenderness, and complexity into existence. Through vibrant palettes and layered storytelling, I aim to create work that invites connection, sparks recognition, and holds space for softness in a world that often demands hardness.

Image: What Is Masculinity, 2024. © 2024 Taylor Gordon. Courtesy of the artist.

Organizers & Sponsors

This event is sponsored by PNC Arts Alive, Delaware Urban Greens, Nuestras Raices, The Sold Firm, and the Wilmington Children's Chorus. This organization is supported, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The Division promotes Delaware arts events on www.DelawareScene.com.