BOK Newspaper Summer 2025

A Look Inside

Issue 30 Summer 2025

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Summer 2025

Vision Quest From bold graphics to animated illustrations, Bok’s creatives turn fresh ideas and imagination into visual magic.

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/ A Look Inside

Vision Quest 1. Parcel Island Greeting cards and gifts

parcelisland.com @parcelisland

2. Molly Egan Illustration and surface design

Pictured: “Wildflowers”

molly-egan.com @mollytheillustrator

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3. Thomas Lis

Illustrator and graphic designer specializing in branding and marketing @thomas.lis

4. Kelechi Azu / Kelechi’s Novelty Cartoons Playful, hand-drawn comics, prints and caricature portraits

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Pictured: “Mr. & Mrs.Fool” Risograph print

kelechiazu.com @sideprojects

5. Out&Back Creative

Design and branding for events and businesses in the running industry

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@Outandbackcreative

6. Lily Xie

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Stop motion animation, illustration, and design for the magic of movement work lily-xie.com @lolysoups

7. Black Cat Design House

Branding and web design services blackcatdesignhouse.com

@blackcat.designhouse

8. Smith & Diction

Branding and design studio that makes thoughtful identities and logos for imaginative clients smith-diction.com @smith_diction

9. Ryan Putnam

Visual art in experimental analog video and motion graphic design Pictured: “Abstract composition in motion”

bendigans.biz @bendigans

10. Holly Simple

Whimsical art, design and intuitive offerings Pictured: “Mini Doodle Sneaker Charms”

@holly_simple

11. jERKS iNC. Specializing in directing and animating 2D animation for clients of all sizes

Pictured: A frame from their animated ad opposing Project 2025, produced for the 2024 Democratic campaign

ajamesd.com jerksinc.com @jamesdybvig

To see the full list of design + illustration businesses at Bok, visit buildingbok.com/community.

Donate to the South Philly

Catch a South Philly fireworks show

Volunteer or donate money to a nonprofit

Search our Com munity Directory for no nprofits based at Bok

Run through an outdoor water stream

Drink an iced beverage at Two Persons

5 2 0 2 r e m sum bucket list

Help beautify the

Grab a bite at the Southeast Asian Market in FDR Park

Check out Frankie’s Summer Club

Scout’s newest project in Center City

Ready for a n ep We have a fe ic summer? w advantage o ideas to take fa has to offer ll Bok (and Philly!) in these hot months.

Dance in the streets at B[L]OK Party on June 29

See a screening at the BlackStar Film Festival

Share a kiss at the Bok Blocks

Catch a Phillies game

Touch grass in a Philly public park

Community Fridge

July 31 August 3

Bok eve nt calenda s r

Take a class or workshop at Bok

ay at 5:30pm every Wednesd Bok blocks! in front of the

Hit the pavement with the Bok Run Club

Enjoy happy hour on the Irwin’s patio

block at the SEAMAAC monthly cleanup

Soaking up summer? Show us how you’re checking off the Bok Bucket List!

Tag us on Instagram or send your snaps to hello@buildingbok.com. We’re giving away $10 Two Persons gift cards to five inspiring summer adventurers!

Take your bike for a spin around South Philly

Snap a skyline selfie at Bok Bar

Take a dip in a Philly public pool

Attend a yoga class on the roof

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Summer 2025

Transforming Philadelphia with The People’s Budget Office Know the budget, raise your voice, and help shape a future Philly that reflects us all.

It started in 2021 as a reaction to the protests that were happening around the 2020 Covid-19 budget cuts and the Black Lives Matter movement calling to defund the police. As central services were being cut, we wanted to educate people on how the city budget works and figure out what we care about as a city.

Photo by Arekusn

What inspired you to start The People’s Budget Office?

Why is your work important?

The city budget tells the story of our city, what is valued, prioritized, and neglected. We aim to make the budget process transparent and accessible so that residents can have a stake in what is funded. It feels more important than ever for people to have access to how decisions are being made and really be part of that process.

What are some of the most pressing issues for Philadelphia citizens right now?

How can readers get involved with what you do?

In the citywide survey of over 600 Philadelphians we conducted earlier this year, top funding priorities noted were: affordable housing, public transportation, education, and public and mental health. People often cite that these issues are intersectional and that their funding can improve overall quality of life and safety. Additional issues that we see come up repeatedly are communityled safety initiatives, parks and recreation centers, libraries, and arts and culture—people think it’s really important to create a more sustainable funding source for the arts in Philly, especially in light of federal cuts.

The budget doesn’t just happen in the spring, it is compiled in the fall. The summer is a great time to watch past budget hearings (break out that popcorn!) and read up on the approved budget.

Visit our website to take our budget survey and join our mailing list, where we’ll announce Budget 101 and 201 teach-ins. If you’re in Bok, stop by our office in space 209 to create a “budget worksheet”— this will be part of a People’s Budget publication (our own version of the city budget). This year’s budget has already been signed, but you can still contribute to larger collective budget priorities. If anyone wants to collaborate with us, please reach out!

Photo by Arekusn

What do you like about being in the community at Bok? We’re still new but we’ve been able to connect with so many great tenants and dream about collaborations. We are both a civic project and an art project, so we love being in a creative space with other artists who are making interventions into the city landscape.

Trash to Treasure: Help SEAMAAC Beautify the Block Let’s make our beloved South Philly streets sparkle this summer! SEAMAAC organizes monthly clean-ups as part of a broader strategy to reduce illegal dumping and promote environmental justice in immigrant, refugee, and other historically underserved communities. These linguistically and culturally diverse neighborhoods have been disproportionately impacted by illegal dumping. Clean-ups foster community ownership, enhance safety and walkability, and increase awareness of legal waste disposal options.

Clean-up efforts are focused primarily in South Philadelphia, particularly along South 7th Street, around Mifflin Square Park, and in the surrounding mixed-use residential and commercial corridors. SEAMAAC is always looking for volunteers and welcomes participants of all ages and abilities, plus offers multilingual support to ensure inclusive participation. All you need to bring is yourself—all necessary supplies (and refreshments!) will be provided.

Email safroz@seamaac.org to sign up for the next clean-up. seamaac.org / @seamaac

peoplesbudgetoffice.org @peoplesbudget4philly

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NEW! Club for Connection

Monthly, starting July

Raise the Roof The food, happenings, and sunset views waiting for you at Bok Bar this summer.

Salsa Sunday Monthly

This reimagined nightlife event features soft seating, art stations, lo-fi DJ sets, tarot, journaling, and more—a space to show up solo, slow down, and connect in meaningful ways.

Boot Scoot

Monthly

Free country line dancing with DJ Hugocito. Start with a beginner-friendly lesson, then dance the night away.

An afternoon of high-energy salsa dancing with a free lesson from DJ Big George and VSpice, followed by a lively dance party.

APRIL

Little Fish

Seafood littlefishbyob.com M AY

Darnel’s

Sunset Drag

Café fare with Italian + French influences darnelscakes.com

Monthly

Bringing top-tier celebrity impersonation to the rooftop— this is South Philly’s ultimate drag show with Brittany Lynn and her fabulous Drag Mafia.

JUNE

Puyero

Venezuelan cuisine puyeroflavor.com

Join KG Strong for yoga at sunset, and stay for a private post-class happy hour at Bok Bar.

J U LY

Gabriella’s Vietnam

Summer DJ Series

Vietnamese cuisine gabriellasvietnam.com

Set those cal reminders—your Get favorite events tickets are back on repeat!

A rotating lineup of some of Philly’s best DJs. BWS Sounds will take the stage for Memorial Day and Labor Day. Dave P. hosts his Making Time party on July 4th and again August 16 with a very special guest.

AUGUST

Korea Taqueria Korean-Mexican eats korea-taqueria.com SEPTEMBER

Sweet Amalia

Oyster farm + market sweetamalia.com

Get to know some of the friendly faces behind the bar...

OCTOBER

Hi, my name is Nick.

Hi, my name is Joana.

I live in Fishtown.

I live in Fishtown.

This is my 6th summer at Bok Bar.

This is my 2nd summer at Bok Bar.

My favorite Bok Bar beverage is Dram beverages and the Hoppy Refresher.

My favorite Bok Bar beverage is the Overnighter.

Beck’s Cajun Cafe Cajun cuisine beckscajuncafe.com

Local chefs, fresh eats— new pop-ups monthly.

Don’t miss a bite!

My favorite Bok Bar memory is when Caribou played a DJ set last summer.

Other than Bok Bar, my favorite South Philly spot is Fountain Porter.

I could talk all shift about history, music, art, and any random topic that pops into my head—especially at work.

Peep the menu

Plan your visit

Getting in + up

Season + Hours Open through November 3, 2025 Weds + Thurs Friday Saturday Sundays

Sunset Yoga Bi-monthly

5pm – 11pm 5pm – 12am 2pm – 12am 2pm – 9pm

Bok Bar is perched on the 8th floor of Bok. You’ll find the entrance at 800 Mifflin Street, closest to 8th Street—just look for the signs and head to the building’s Center elevator, the only way up to the bar. No reservations needed—Bok Bar is walk-in only and operates on a first come, first serve basis.

Other than Bok Bar, my favorite South Philly spot is American Sardine Bar. When I’m not at Bok Bar, you can find me in a yoga or pilates class, or playing with my cat.

Kids + Dogs Parents, bring your kids (under 12) before sunset any day; otherwise kids of all ages are welcome with a parent or guardian on Sundays for Family Day. Dogs are allowed at any time!

Want to host your event at Bok Bar? We’re currently booking semi-private events Wednesday through Sunday, and private events on Mondays and Tuesdays. For more details, reach out at joana@bok-bar.com.

Follow Bok Bar on Instagram for updates on inclement weather closures

Issue 30 // Summer 2025 A Look Inside

What’s Next

buildingbok.com @buildingbok

Alumni Day

B[L]OK Party Sunday, June 29 It’s not summer in the city without our annual B[L]OK Party!

Each year we invite friends, families, and neighbors to join in on this South Philly-inspired celebration. Eat, dance, sip, and shop alongside Bok creatives and pals all afternoon, right on the 800 block of Mifflin.

Making Time Fourth of July Party Friday, July 4 Celebrate Independence Day overlooking the Philly skyline. Join Dave P. for a special Making Time party at Bok Bar from 2:00pm10:00pm. Plus, get front row seats to the infamous South Philly amateur fireworks shows!

Alumni Day Sunday, August 17 Every August, we welcome hundreds of Bok Vocational Tech alumni back for a celebration filled with reconnection and community. Join us for a trip down memory lane as we welcome the Wildcats with building tours showcasing both the new and the familiar, live music, dancing, and an unforgettable alumni happy hour—with a view you won’t want to miss!

For more events, visit buildingbok.com/calendar

Produced by

scout

Cover photo Smith & Diction Content + Design Kelley Garrard and Abel Teclemariam Template design Smith & Diction Photos Provided by each feature unless otherwise credited