The starting point and welcome message of the Free Wall: “‘Germantown Free Wall.’ Bless The Wall Don’t Mess The Wall. Sponsored by Philly250.” (Photo: Rasheed Z. Ajamu)

From Miami Art Basel to Jim’s Steaks and now to Chelten and Knox. That’s how Germantown got its newest Free Wall, according to Germantown native and street artist NOMAD.

“People can go down there and just paint wherever, whenever, and just add it to the community,” he said, explaining the open-use mural/graffiti concept.

The street artist received funds from Philly250 and Councilperson Cindy Bass through the now-disbanded Germantown 250 coalition to help celebrate 250 years of Philly hyperlocally. Nevertheless, he hopes to make good on his promise.

“I was trying to work to get it done before 2026, but a lot came up,” he said. “It slowed some things down.”

For NOMAD, there’s no better time for the wall, “with people’s freedoms being taken away.” 

“Having freedom of expression… You could say you can say what you want, how you feel. And I think that’s the best thing about art. You’re allowed to do that,” he explained, connecting the large-scale canvas to our First Amendment right.

The space also doubles as a crime reduction agent, according to Liberty Tax manager Dante Hines, who leased the wall to the street artist.

“Every year, I gotta at least pay eight to 10 times to get [the wall] painted,” he shared with GIH, describing frequent vandalism on the wall.

Hines considered getting a mural put up at one point, but the price was too high. Then he says NOMAD explained the concept of the Free Wall to him.

“I’m with that,” he exclaimed. “I want them to be able to express themselves legally. I had to worry about getting in trouble, getting locked up, or stopped or citation for it. They can really express their art the legal way.”

While enthusiastic about the vibrancy the wall will bring, the Black Philadelphian doesn’t share the same sentiment about the 250th.

“I feel like we’re going backwards now… And I just feel like America is just not really for their people,” he stated.

NOMAD says the wall will be up for a year and seeks to launch a couple more. He tells neighbors to be on the lookout for a participatory aspect.

“I really look forward to having a paint day where I put a call out to the artists in the street and tell them come up and paint the wall.”