Shira Walinsky

Shira Walinsky is a Lecturer at the Stuart Weitzman School of Design, University of Pennsylvania, affiliated with the Department of Fine Arts. Her work bridges art, community engagement, and urban narratives. She holds an M.F.A. in Painting from the University of Pennsylvania and a B.A. in Film History and Fine Arts from Sarah Lawrence College.

Her research explores urban cultures, immigration impacts, and public space transformation. Notable projects include 18 murals through Philadelphia's Mural Arts Program and a series of seven lunch trucks addressing identity and labor. She co-teaches with Jane Golden (Director of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program) and instructs at the University of the Arts’ PIE program, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration.

Walinsky’s practice integrates painting, printmaking, film, and photography to foster partnerships between artists and communities. She focuses on how personal narratives reflect broader urban issues, particularly through community-driven public art initiatives.