We are excited to introduce July's featured Poet of the Month: Dilruba (Ruba) Ahmed!
Dilruba will give a reading and lead us through a generative writing workshop from 7pm-8:30pm on July 1st, 2025 at 12Gates, located at 106 N 2nd St. Doors open at 6:30pm and close promptly at 7pm.

Curated by Sanam Sheriff, THE POETS' STUDIO is a monthly gathering for local poets who are interested in writing, sharing, and connecting through poetry. This event is free and open to all who are interested in engaging more deeply with lyric and the written word. 

Celebrate the launch of Roses, in the Mouth of a Lion at Twelve Gates Arts in Philly on Saturday, October 18th, 2025 from 2 - 4 PM! Join award-winning novelist poet Bushra Rehman for the launch of her critically acclaimed book. The afternoon will feature a reading, talk, and book signing.

OPEN CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS for 12Gates & PAAFF’s Contemporary Video Art Exhibition 2025!
The 7th iteration of the Contemporary Video Art Exhibition continues to celebrate contemporary video art—using recorded moving images— by artists from South and South-West Asia, North Africa (SSWANA), as well as artists of indentured Indian descent and their diasporas. The 7th edition of the juried show will be co-presented by Twelve Gates Arts (12G) and the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival (PAAFF).