CURRENT EXHIBITION

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A Traveler Weeps, A River Laughs
Jun 5
A Traveler Weeps, A River Laughs

Twelve Gates Arts presents A Traveler Weeps, A River Laughs, opening June 5 at 6:30 pm as part of ArtPhilly 2026. Taking its title from the world of Mahmoud Darwish's journals, where a river laughs before it dies of thirst and laughter and loss are not opposites but the same record, the exhibition brings together artists Alexei Mansour, Mir Masud-Elias, sāgar kāmath, and Shehrezad Maher in work that holds more than one truth at once about place, myth, and what remains when official narratives run dry.

Spanning film, poetry, and mixed-media installation, and made in the context of America's 250th year, this is not a commemoration. Rather, it is a record of what was laughed at, of what was lost, of what is still being made.

WE’RE PILOTING WEDNESDAY HOURS

Starting the week of June 22, we're open Wednesdays 12-6 PM, alongside our usual Thursday-Saturday hours. A lot of our community works the standard 9-to-5, and we want to make it easier to catch a show before it closes. Especially with A Traveler Weeps, A River Laughs on view through July 24.

This is a pilot - stop by, see how it feels, and help shape what comes next.

UPCOMING EVENTS

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Tarot at 12G - An experience with RavenFox
Jun 25
Tarot at 12G - An experience with RavenFox

A 15-minute tarot reading with RavenFox, Raven (Greeshma) and Fox (Franki), hosted inside Twelve Gates Arts' current exhibition A Traveler Weeps, A River Laughs.

Free to attend. Tips are warmly encouraged.

THE SAAMI KHAYAL APPRENTICESHIP

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THE PHILADELPHIA RESIDENCY

The Philadelphia Residency (Residency) is a three-month career-building and creation module established by Twelve Gates Arts (12G) to provide early-career artists with the physical and communal space, resources, and industry knowledge to plant roots and flourish in Philadelphia.

This residency is designed for artists identifying as South Asian, South West Asian North African, (SA/SWANA), Black, Indigenous, Person of Color (BIPOC), and/or part of the Global South or Global Majority.

click to LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PHILADELPHIA RESIDENCY
A group of 4 people in a studio, sitting in a circle and having a discussion.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

What stories do you want to hear, and what kinds of gatherings do you see yourself in?

Please take a moment to fill out our short community survey.
Your voice will guide us, and your input ensures that 12G continues to be a place that reflects and responds to those it serves, all of you.

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