On View in the Gallery

The Philadelphia Happiness Map

Through November 15

Travel through Happy Places in Philadelphia, an immersive exhibition featuring 28 unexpected places of joy throughout the city—from hidden ponds and pocket parks to places shaped by memory, connection, and everyday experience.

Curated by the Happiness Lab at Drexel University, the exhibition invites visitors to consider what makes a place happy. Is happiness embedded in our surroundings, shaped by our memories and experiences, or created through the interaction between the two? As you explore these 28 Happy Places, you’re invited to reflect on the relationship between our internal worlds and the environments we inhabit—and to consider the places that bring happiness into your own life.

Opening Reception

Thursday, October 29, 2026

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

This event is free and open to the public—no RSVP required.

Exhibit Curators

Eric Zillmer

Dr. Zillmer is an award-winning teacher, the Pacifico Professor of Neuropsychology, and the Director of the Happiness Lab in Drexel University's Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences.

Amanda Moore

Moore is the Program Director of the Happiness Lab and a recent graduate of Drexel University (B.S. Psychology, ' 25). Originally from Austin, TX, she is interested in the intersection of mental and physical health.

Serena Woo

Woo is a Product Design student and BRIDGE Scholar at Drexel University's Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, class of '27. She is passionate about exploring biomaterials and making its integration more mainstream.

Cat Le Febvre

Le Febvre is a Pennoni Honors student at Drexel University studying Product Design, class of '27. She is interested in using her talents in the healthcare field with a focus in inclusive design and community building.

Exhibit curators Amanda Moore, Serena Woo, Cat Lefebvre, and Eric Zillmer

Exhibit curators Amanda Moore, Serena Woo, Cat Lefebvre, and Eric Zillmer

Exhibit curators Amanda Moore, Serena Woo, Cat Lefebvre, and Eric Zillmer

The Happiness Lab

The Happiness Lab at Drexel University is a think tank dedicated to exploring the meaning of happiness and its role in contemporary society. Through interdisciplinary inquiry, the Lab brings together diverse perspectives, encourages dialogue, and seeks innovative approaches to complex questions surrounding happiness and well-being. Its work embraces a multicultural perspective, recognizing that happiness is shaped by our individual experiences, communities, cultures, and environments.

 

About the Space

The Study at University City Art Gallery

The hotel's first-floor exhibit space features rotating works by faculty and students from Drexel University's Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design. Open day and night, the gallery offers an ever-changing collection of pieces that highlight Philadelphia’s reputation as a world-class visual arts destination.