I am a multidisciplinary artist and climber currently living and working in Philadelphia. In an inspiring act of institutional support, the cultural institution Eastern State Penitentiary has accepted my site-specific proposal to climb the walls of this historic prison, rate and name each climb, and produce a book titled A Climber’s Guide to Eastern State Penitentiary; or East State’s Architecture and How to Escape It. I have begun working on the project, due to open in May of 2019. Until then I will be training, fabricating, designing and writing with a small group of dedicated local climbers. I have received modest funding from the prison, and am looking to supplement this with support from other cultural institutions.

The enthusiasm, generosity, and support that we have already received from the local community has been inspiring. To my knowledge, there has never been a visible art project involving climbing, and I hope to represent the nuanced art of climbing safely and wholeheartedly.

Eastern State Penitentiary is a 501c3 not-for-profit institution and will provide documentation to receive a tax refund for any contributions to my project. I will also acknowledge supporting institutions at public events and in print prominently in the published guidebook. In addition to supporting the arts in a particularly challenging political climate, your contribution helps make this project visible to a diverse community within and beyond Philadelphia, inspiring future climbers and artists alike.