3 minute read
Assembling Artistic Opportunities
A conversation with the Parliament Arts Organization's Executive Director, Delia Pabon
BY DAVID GONZALEZ JR. | DIRECTOR, ECONOMIC INITIATIVES
With a goal of furthering the arts scene in York, the Parliament Arts Organization is proud to engage artists who work with any medium, are of any age, socio-economic background, or demographic, and are from any area of the county. Delia Pabon, who leads the organization as their Executive Director, is constantly working to expand the way art is viewed and take on new challenges to further the mission.
Delia, who describes herself as creative but not an artist, started working with Parliament at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic as a consultant to help them with a short-term strategic plan, which led to her being asked to lead the organization. “I was only anticipating helping them set their plan, but that quickly turned into me developing a plan that I would lead.”
Parliament has been around since the early days of the Royal Square District and sees partnerships as the key to success. “As a non-profit, we need to partner and collaborate – that is demonstrated in the way we work as a neighborhood, but also in the activities we support,” says Delia.
Looking at the broader York County community, Delia sees an opportunity for Parliament to expand the arts presence throughout the county. Be it through partnering with other Trail Towns and Trail-Friendly Businesses to add new public artwork throughout the county to brighten up buildings to help envision their potential or add murals to showcase community pride to both residents and visitors. “We have the ability to affect change and be a partner in economic development through art, by helping to shift the narrative of our own perceptions of who we are as a community.”
When asked to describe York, Delia lights up and shares “It’s sort of an antique shop but let me explain. On every corner of York, there is something different and unique, and that’s like walking into an antique shop. I love exploring them and it’s just like exploring York.”
Parliament Arts Organization | 116 E. King Street, York, PA 17401 | 717.841.4914 | parliamentyork.org
MY DOWNTOWN:
Favorite spot to grab a bite?
HAMIR’S INDIAN FUSION
Favorite place to shop?
REFILLISM
A must-see spot for a downtown visitor?
CHERRY LANE, for Box Lunch Revue
Favorite historical landmark?
LAUREL-REX FIRE COMPANY HOUSE on Duke Street
2023 Mural Festival
The Parliament - in partnership with Sprocket Mural Works, Royal Square Development & Construction, and YorkFest - recently hosted the 2023 Mural Festival in Downtown York in August. This free community event featured the unveiling of 12 new murals by local, regional, and national artists. The addition of the new murals is an effort to expand on the vibrancy of the Royal Square District and transform a parking lot into a Mural Park, of which the new attractions’ themes were determined by community polling in the neighborhood. This festival exemplifies the Parliament’s prime belief that “Art. Changes. Everything.”
Mural Festival Photos by Randy Flaum
