More Than Likes is an intriguing series that explores the endeavors of social media personalities who are making a positive impact on their communities.
Conrad Benner’s phone camera focused on Nile Livingston, a talented artist standing in front of a blank wall. Mx. Livingston was preparing to create a massive mural on the side of an apartment building in Philadelphia’s Gayborhood, overlooking a parking lot. However, Mx. Livingston was struggling to find the right words for a promotional TikTok video.
“We can do as many takes as you need,” Mr. Benner said, his voice filled with warmth. Both the location and the artist were carefully chosen by him.
Mr. Benner, 38, is the mastermind behind Streets Dept, a captivating photo blog and social media presence dedicated to showcasing the works of street artists. In addition to capturing artists’ interviews on video and photographing their creations, Mr. Benner handpicks artists for Mural Arts Philadelphia, the largest public art program in the nation. In a city renowned for its cultural institutions and vibrant public art scene, Mr. Benner’s mission is to wholeheartedly support and serve the artists in every way possible.
“He is a crucial bridge within the public art community,” praised Mx. Livingston. “He takes the time to pause, observe, and genuinely cares about the city of Philadelphia.”
Before meeting Mx. Livingston, Mr. Benner’s camera was focused on another artist, Alexei Mansour, whom he had chosen to paint a mural in real-time as part of a street festival. With temperatures nearing 90 degrees and booming speakers drowning out Mr. Mansour’s soft-spoken voice, he struggled in front of the buzzing crowd, his face turning crimson. (Mr. Mansour later described the moment as a blackout.)
Sensing the need to take charge, Mr. Benner guided Mr. Mansour, instructing him to wave his hands in front of his face to cool down. After attempting different locations, including an adjacent building that was too noisy, they finally settled on a corner away from the commotion.
“One, two, three,” Mr. Benner said patiently, and Mr. Mansour began describing his artwork.
Mr. Mansour and his team, known for their focus on queer identity, embarked on painting a mural featuring the Greek god Dionysus, revered by some as an early nonbinary figure.
Mr. Benner, a native of the Fishtown neighborhood known for his flat-brimmed cap and mustache, actively avoids attention while documenting art. He directs people’s gaze towards the artists he passionately supports.
“My interest has always been in pointing the camera outwards,” said Mr. Benner. “I find great joy and curiosity in exploring the world around me through public art and the artists who create it.”
Streets Dept was first launched by Mr. Benner in 2011. As a newcomer to the street art realm (despite his architectural background), his initial posts had a “fanboy blog” tone, as he described it.
The blog gained widespread attention in June 2011 when Time magazine republished a post about an artist who had “yarn-bombed” a city train by adorning the seats with colorful knit fibers. The exposure led Mr. Benner to a full-time marketing job, but he eventually resigned in 2015 after surpassing 100,000 Instagram followers (he now boasts over 150,000 followers and an additional 34,600 on TikTok). He then devoted all his energy to Streets Dept and initiated a subscription service through Patreon, a platform for content creators.
In 2020, Mr. Benner began selecting artists and locations for Mural Arts, which now serves as the main source of funding for Streets Dept. Despite this, he continues his independent curatorial work on the side, after nearly a decade of dedicated involvement in the field.
At the core of his endeavors lies a deep affection for the city he believes is an ideal breeding ground for a thriving street art community.
“Most street artists currently work on abandoned buildings or construction materials,” explained Mr. Benner. “Almost every Philadelphia neighborhood has an abandoned warehouse or home.”
“The notion is that industry and some people may have left the city, so now it has become our playground,” he added about street artists. “If you leave a building abandoned, it will inevitably be filled with art.”
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