Friday Nights: Pepperpot

Friday Nights: Pepperpot celebrates Philadelphia’s musical and culinary traditions through the story of pepperpot soup, a local dish whose history is rooted in the city’s colonial-era marketplaces. The evening explores the contributions of African American entrepreneurs through a newly commissioned musical performance, historical interpreters recreating the atmosphere of a marketplace, projected imaginary portraits of overlooked chefs, gallery talks in the American Art galleries, and a serving of Omar Tate’s pepperpot soup.

The program is presented in partnership with ArtPhilly alongside the exhibition *A Nation of Artists*. It is the second iteration of *Pepperpot*, originally created by V. Shayne Frederick for ArtPhilly’s *What Now: 2026* festival, and honors the legacy of Philadelphia Jazz Project visionary Homer Jackson.

When: Friday, November 13, 2026

Showtimes: 5:00–8:45 p.m.

Venue: Philadelphia Museum of Art, Main Building and multiple locations

Tickets: Pay What You Wish admission. Member admission is always free.

Performance: *The Pepperpot Suite*, presented by V. Shayne Frederick

Gallery Talks: *Close Look at Pepper-Pot Painting* in the American Art galleries

Activation: Experience the Marketplace, with historical interpreters recreating the atmosphere of Philadelphia’s historic markets

Food: Pepperpot soup by Chef Omar Tate

Collaborators: The project was conceived with V. Shayne Frederick, Lynn Washington, Chef Valerie Erwin, Eric Battle, Chef Omar Tate, Asake-Denise Foye Jones, and Chef Chaz Brown.

Partnership: Organized with ArtPhilly in conjunction with *A Nation of Artists*.

Support: The original commission was part of ArtPhilly’s *What Now: 2026* festival, with lead support from the William Penn Foundation and additional support from the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation. Pay What You Wish admission is supported by an anonymous donor and the William Penn Foundation.