Hi everyone, Jess here, the Marketing Director at Angela Monaco Jewelry. As a queer person myself, I love how fun and celebratory Pride month is. However, it's also important to recognize that often, the LGBTQIA+ community bears the brunt of the labor during Pride. We are frequently asked to educate allies, justify our existence, and share our struggles. This emotional labor is real, and while there's still much progress to be made in the fight for equality—especially in today’s political climate—we wanted to focus on something equally as important: queer joy.

Pride Month is celebrated annually in June to honor the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual community. It traces its roots back to the 1969 Stonewall riots, a pivotal moment in the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights. Today, massive parades and parties honor the community’s joys and progress. Marches and political action remain crucial in drawing attention to the issues still facing us. This blend of celebration and protest highlights the complexities of Pride, shining a light on both the progress we've made and the challenges that remain.

We wanted to end Pride month with a bang and who better to talk about queer joy with than one of Philly’s most well-known artists, Symone Salib? If you've ever had the pleasure of meeting Symone, you know how infectious her joy is. From our first meeting in the shop, we shared countless laughs and had the best time picking out her favorite Angela Monaco designs. Her favorite piece? The Ouroboros ring. "I was looking at this online yesterday and knew that I'd love it! It was meant to be!"

Symone began her journey in by creating wheatpastes on the streets of Philly. Over the past seven years, she’s transformed her passion into a full-time career creating murals all across Philadelphia and beyond. I sat down with Symone to discuss the people, places, and things that bring her the most joy... Chappell Roan, South Philly croissants, and chosen family.

 

What does queer joy mean to you?

Queer joy, to me, means showing up authentically and unapologetically as I am. I grew up in a strict environment, and now being able to exist fully as myself every day feels really beautiful and that gives me a lot of joy. I feel privileged to be in a city that’s so open and welcoming.

What practices make you feel happy, balanced, and uplifted?

I’m a pretty extroverted person, so I feel replenished by being around my queer chosen fam and friends I trust and love. I also love big meaningful conversations. Also riding my bike! I LOVE my bike! It makes me really joyful and literally puts a little stupid smile on my face and keeps me centered. My bike is a Trek, the same one I used when I biked cross-country at 22. It’s my most prized possession.

What’s your go to self-care routine?

My self-care routine after working really hard is honestly, to hide out at home. I love a nap! I also enjoy inviting friends over for dinner. I love cooking together, and catching up in a non-stressful, I’m-so-happy-to-see-you-I-would-love-to-catch-up way. That makes me feel so nourished and so full after the hard work that I love to do. I was used to be a GO GO GO person. The pandemic really taught me like “no, we must stay home!” FOMO is not the vibe!

What projects are you currently working on?

There are two things I’m really proud of right now. I worked with the Delphi Program and made a mural in a high school in Kensington which was an amazing experience. Afterwards they asked me if I would like to participate in creating a mural in the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s new education department. It was little experimental, it’s multimedia, and it included one of the students I worked with at the high school which felt really beautiful and honest. It says “When we open our eyes to the world, we open the eyes to ourselves.”

And like… DREAMS DREAMS DREAMS to have a piece in the PMA’s permanent collection one day, while I’m alive, while I’m a living artist here in the city I love so much!

I also finished a 24’x10’ mural for the Philadelphia Eagles for Pride, featuring over 30 portraits of queer people whom I love in Philly. It has the wings in the middle so you can be the eagle and also be in queer community.

Who are your queer role models?

I didn’t grow up in a space with a lot of queer people around me. I think as I get older, the people that inspire me the most are my friends. They show up in ways that I admire and strive to emulate. I feel incredibly lucky to have such amazing people in my life. I feel like I’ve become a better person, a better friend, a better human, because of the people I keep around me. I love them so much.

Any favorite summertime songs or albums?

I don’t know about you, but I accidentally fell down the Chappell Roan hole recently with her album "The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess." I found myself listening to it non-stop. She’s campy, fun, and her lyrics are wild and witty. I love how campy she is. Very vibey, very dance-y, sometimes a little serious, but she’s not beating around the bush with the lyrics. I’m really excited to see the rise of queer pop stars.

Do you have any favorite podcasts?

Oh yeah! I love "Normal Gossip" by Kelsey McKinney, who lives in Philly. It’s about anonymized, juicy gossip about normal people. It’s my go-to pick-me-up podcast. I would LOOOVE to be a guest one day!

What are you reading right now?

I’m reading "Anita de Monte Laughs Last" by Xochitl Gonzalez. It’s based on a true story of Cuban artist Ana Mendieta, and it blends magical realism with her life story. It’s beautifully written and I highly recommend it. I’m really grateful for contemporary Latine artists who are really taking the time to document that things that have affected us through history and that are important.

Any favorite local Philly spots?

Oh, I got a list… I love Second Daughter Baking Co. in the Bok Building. I have a sweet tooth and Artisan Boulangerie in South Philly has amazing croissants. Also Yowie on South St. for its curated artist books and cool home items. Also shout out to my barber Lita, across from the Bok Building!

How would you describe your personal style?

Practical, primary-color chic. I love solid color-blocking and sensible shoes. I want to look like my art—bold, bright, and colorful.

What is your favorite spot to hang out in Philly?

I love the public libraries in Philadelphia! They’re one of the only places you can hang out for free, and I wish more people used them so they’d get better funding. The one in the parkway is amazing. Also why aren’t we all co-working at the library? Yes, support the local coffee shops, but also let’s go the libraries together! Everyone, get a library card!

Is there a recent accomplishment you’re really proud of?

I’m the 2024 artist in residence for Monument Lab alongside Miguel Horn, which allows me to create a monument prototype for an art show in December. It’s been a challenging but exciting experience, since I don’t typically do sculpture, but I feel so lucky to be part of it. I love Monument Lab! I feel really excited to be working alongside people to change the ways that contemporary monuments are constructed around us.

(Pictured from top to bottom: The Venus Lazer Links Bracelet in 14K Gold and The Rainbow Gemstone Bar Bracelet in 14K Gold)

What do you wish people understood about the queer experience?

It’s about the absence of boxes. To be queer is to be expansive and free, not confined to labels or expectations. It’s about showing up as you are and knowing that you are enough. So often we want to put a label on something and I think it’s really beautiful to identity however you want to show up freely - however that looks for you.

I think, to me, being queer is about resistance and I think that’s really important to think about today specifically. It’s Pride in Philly. The origin of Pride was a riot. If we are talking about resistance, we need to be people that stand up unapologetically to say the things that are right…  that all people deserve to live. Literally ALL PEOPLE. And we should be able to exist freely and that is a part of being queer and having a full and joyful life.

Last but not least... If you could tell your childhood self one thing, what would it be?

I would definitely talk to my high school self, because she was so sad. I would tell her “you can do f*cking ANYTHING!” I felt like there was always limitations around me, like “I should do this, or I shouldn’t do that..” and I feel like I always knew what I wanted but was scared to reach for it. In all directions, including job opportunities, the people I wanted to be with, the friends that I wanted to have, or the community I wanted to build, or work that I wanted to do. Like.. DUDE, you can do ANYTHING. Do not let anybody stop you.

You can do it!

You can follow Symone on her many adventures via instagram @symonesalibstudio.