Maitin in Philadelphia: Mayor of the Arts

Penn alumnus, professor, and native Philadelphian Sam Maitin (1928-2004) was a prolific muralist, painter, graphic designer, and community activist. His signature bold colors, distinctive handwriting, and playful forms created the backdrop for artistic and civic life in Philadelphia for decades, earning him the nickname “Mayor of the Arts.” The posters in this exhibition span the 1960s to the early 2000s for various Philadelphia cultural institutions championed by him, including the Philadelphia Civic Center, the South Street Arts Festival, and the Philadelphia Folk Festival.

Maitin in Philadelphia is being held in conjunction with We the People, the fall 2025 Penn Live Arts exhibition of works by Sam Maitin in the Art Lounge at the Annenberg Center.  

This is the fourth in a series of small exhibitions developed in partnership with the Penn Art Collection and drawing from items in the University’s remarkable fine art collection.

About the Penn Art Collection

The Penn Art Collection includes over 8,000 artworks acquired during the past 250 years. On view in over 100 different locations, the Penn Art Collection includes paintings, sculptures, photography, works on paper, and decorative arts. Intended for the enrichment of all, artwork can be found in classrooms, campus libraries, in offices, and on Locust Walk.  

Plan Your Visit

On view September 8 to December 19, 2025. This display is free and open to the public. Find it in the East elevator bay on the 5th floor of the Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center (turn left after exiting the elevator on the 5th floor). Visitors can see the display any time the library is open. Penn faculty, staff, and students must swipe their PennCard for access. Visitors from outside the Penn community must present a current, valid government or school-issued photo ID that contains an expiration date. Find more information to plan your visit.