Jonene Lee's NoName Gallery is bringing a lighthearted and playful spirit to the Avenue with her latest exhibition, "Children's Story." The show, which opened last week and runs through Dec. 29, features three Philadelphia artists whose work taps into childhood memories and imagination.

"I put this exhibition together because I want the viewer to feel the playfulness of some of the pieces yet also look deeper into the connection the artist has with their childhood," Lee said. 

The exhibition's title comes from a Slick Rick song – no surprise given Lee's deep connection to hip-hop music. It's a running theme in her curatorial work. Her previous exhibition, for instance, was named after Black Sheep's "The Choice Is Yours.” She doesn't make a big deal out of it. But if you love hip-hop like she does, you might just recognize the titles, note the beat embedded in her Instagram posts, and figure it out yourself.

"It all comes out of me being overwhelmingly into music," Lee said. "I try to find song titles that can have a lot of different meanings, then I look for the artists."

For "Children's Story," Lee assembled three artists: Kyle Confehr, Maya Puyat and David K. Coleman Jr., known as Yeskis4king (pronounced "yes is for king"). Each brings their own interpretation of childhood to the gallery walls.

Confehr, a Philadelphia street artist, creates vibrant, graffiti-inspired pieces densely packed with images. His work combines personal narratives with a playful sense of humor, creating detailed pieces that spark memories. Some works are rendered in black and white, while others burst with color that Lee says "make me feel good."

Puyat, whom Lee discovered at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts graduation exhibition a few years ago, focuses on comfort and whimsy. Her work features soft, gentle creatures and happy childhood motifs in pastel colors. The exhibition includes interactive elements designed specifically for young visitors, including a children's table and chair.

Coleman brings a fresh perspective through sketches, digital art and animation. He's also an author whose children's book "Never Fit In" encourages young readers to embrace their uniqueness.

The exhibition is for doing as much as it is for seeing, and incorporates hands-on activities throughout its two-month run. Puyat created a digital movie that you can view from the gallery window at night, Coleman will host a reading of his book, and Confehr will lead a "Sticker Jam" where artists are free to come in and create their own DIY sticker art. 

"Sticker art is a big thing these days, with artists turning their artwork into stickers," Lee said.

It's a growing phenomenon worldwide, she said – and if you know where to look, you can find them all over Center City. "Go downtown and look on the back of street signs and you'll start to notice them," she said. "Tattooed Moms is even having a huge sticker convention."

Lee has forged strong connections with young people in the community through partnerships with both the Chestnut Hill branch of the Free Library and Jenks Elementary School, where she has taught photography and helps students create art.

Looking ahead to 2025, Lee plans to expand these educational initiatives by inviting students to create art at the gallery after school and learn about the business side of being an artist. The students' work will be featured in a gallery show in early 2026, with the young artists receiving half of any sales – just like professional artists.

On First Friday, Dec. 6, there will be a panel discussion with the artists, “A few weeks prior, we’re going to ask Instagram to send us questions that the artists can answer during the panel. I’d love for the community to come out and ask questions as well!” It's part of Chestnut Hill's Arts & Eats program, which Lee helped establish, furthering her mission of bringing people together through art and music.

"Children's Story" runs through Dec. 29, with the sticker jam workshop scheduled for Nov. 16 and the artist panel discussion set for Dec. 6. NoName Gallery is at 8127 Germantown Ave. For information, visit nonamegalleryphilly.com.