Roots of Resilience explores the many cultures that have helped shape the city. Artists were invited to design flags that tell stories of hope, strength, and community, honoring the journeys of those who made Philly their home. From textiles to digital art, these powerful designs will fly high at Spruce Street Harbor Park from May 22, 2026, to September 7, 2026.
About the Flag:
This flag centers on a scanned film photograph of the artist’s mother and father in Puerto Rico, honoring the personal histories and resilience carried by Puerto Rican families who have migrated to the United States. Layered over the image is the phrase: “There will be Puerto Ricans in PR in the future.” The message speaks to cultural endurance, identity, and the hope that Puerto Rican communities will continue to thrive in their homeland despite displacement and migration.
About the Artist:
Keysha Rivera is a technologist, speculative designer, and poetic researcher of Afro-Indigenous (Taíno) ancestry based in the American South. Through digital imagery, textiles, and storytelling, her work explores memory, land, identity, and cultural preservation. She holds degrees in Biology and Design and has participated in residencies and exhibitions, including MASS MoCA and the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft.
