THE CITY OF MURALS

Did you know Philadelphia is known as the City of Murals? Yep, the city has its very own outdoor art gallery with over 3800 gracing its buildings  One could even say graffiti inspired Jane Golden's development of the Mural Arts program but actually it was to dissuade the increasing graffiti covering the city in1984. The initial endeavor turned into something much more inclusive and is now touted as "the nation's largest public art program dedicated to the belief that art creates change." 

The murals one sees are creations of 1000's of both professional artists and young Philadelphians throughout the city's different neighborhoods. Communities apply to create a mural and then are fostered throughout the process to "look, listen, connect, create and celebrate."

Support comes from organizations, foundations, grants/ donations from the private sector /philanthropists to help make this a reality. Golden took this program further by incorporating participants of all ages in youth art education, restorative justice, and behavioral health. 50 to 100 new projects are added every year.

As you can tell by the map above and the pink mural locations, it's difficult to go a more than a couple of blocks without seeing a mural. One project called Love Letter is comprised of 50 rooftop murals. 

There are both walking and trolley mural tours. Although I didn't have time to partake in either, here are some of the murals I encountered - so many stories of the people who share these streets. 

Enjoy and one day if you get to Philadelphia, go take a tour for me, OK?




This magnificent '98 mural by the train station is called Common Threads, "threads that tie us together by culture and time." Since it's by a major SEPTA stop, 1000's of people see it daily.

 And then there are others that are more hidden like this sandwiched between a row of eateries...

Or on the backside of The Free Library...

The Garden of Delight mural symbolizes bringing the community together with gardening in public spaces and has a live garden space in its forefront.

Rich in symbolization, inclusion and history.

With themes like Labor...

 Immigration...

  
Meshing political statements such as a gas station's backdrop about biofuel/ ethanol its transportation and industrialization of its production and effects on the environment...

Some have special lighting at night...

And sometimes sadly the building's age demands demolition and these works of art which took so much time and energies are destroyed.  May one of its future walls continue the story, 

the autobiographical story of the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia.