Michael Butler to Host Philadelphia Art Exhibition
The exhibition titled Something from Something opens this November at 1835 Market Street.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Fine Art
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Beginning in November 2026, Michael Butler will host the art exhibition Something from Something in Philadelphia. The display features works from Butler, Dormen Lisby, and Keith Andrews and runs through February 2027.
Why it matters
The exhibition uses art to challenge societal views of returning citizens and provide a clean slate for formerly incarcerated individuals. It serves as a creative extension of Butler's ongoing advocacy and financial support work through The Fountain Fund.
The Fountain Fund has issued more than 185 loans totaling approximately $1.65 million as of February 2026. These microloans are offered at a 3 percent interest rate to support housing and business opportunities.
The players
Michael Butler
He is the Philadelphia Site Director of The Fountain Fund who also teaches in the University of Pennsylvania's PREP-WORKS program and founded the reentry initiative FreePass.
The Fountain Fund
This organization provides financial education and microloans to help formerly incarcerated individuals secure housing, transportation, and business opportunities.
Dormen Lisby
He is an artist whose works are featured alongside those of Michael Butler and Keith Andrews in the exhibition.
Keith Andrews
He is an artist whose works are displayed in the upcoming exhibition at 1835 Market Street.
The details
The exhibition showcases the creative works of Michael Butler, Dormen Lisby, and Keith Andrews. Butler, a formerly incarcerated individual who served 17 years before his 2020 release, also serves as the Philadelphia Site Director for The Fountain Fund, an organization that provides financial education and capital to help people secure housing, transportation, and business opportunities.
Timeline
Michael Butler was released from incarceration in 2020.
The Fountain Fund reached its reported loan totals in February 2026.
The exhibition opens to the public in November 2026.
A private opening reception occurs on November 10, 2026, from 5 to 7 p.m.
The exhibition concludes in February 2027.
Industry Dynamics
This exhibition aligns with the goals of the First Step Act to support the successful reentry of formerly incarcerated individuals into the community. It reflects a growing trend of utilizing creative spaces to foster social reintegration and public awareness regarding criminal justice reform.
Residents can view the exhibition starting in November 2026 at 1835 Market Street in Philadelphia. A private opening reception is scheduled for November 10, 2026, between 5 and 7 p.m.
The takeaway
The Something from Something exhibition highlights the intersection of reentry advocacy and creative expression in Philadelphia. Visitors are encouraged to explore these works as a way to engage with the stories of individuals working toward economic and social stability.
Further reading
Learn more about local creative movements in Philadelphia Fine Art.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Rolling Out.
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