You’ve heard of the Philadelphia Eagles—but have you heard of the Philly murals?
In Other News #13 // Celebrating the stories of everyday heroes among us.
How Philadelphia became “mural capital of the world.” And the positive power this public artwork has on society.
(Above: Our City, Our Team by Phillip Adams and Jonathan Laidacker - Photo by Steve Weinik)
Chances are, when you think about Philadelphia, certain icons come to mind. Certainly, this weekend’s Superbowl contenders, the Philadelphia Eagles are top of mind. There’s also Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, soft pretzels and cheesesteaks. You may even hear a strain of the theme song from “Rocky.”
But there’s one more colorful symbol to add to the list: murals. The nonprofit organization Mural Arts Philadelphia is considered the nation’s largest public art program, credited with creating the world’s largest outdoor art gallery—with a tally over 4,300.
“It’s a visual treat to come into the city and see the diversity of the City of Brotherly Love reflected back,” said Chad Eric Smith, Mural Arts’ director of communications.
And it’s all thanks to one woman’s pioneering vision.
The Past Supporting the Future, The Crane Building, by artists Chenlin Cai, Amy Cheng, Eurhi Jones - photo by Steve Weinik
Mural Mecca
Philly’s murals brighten every corner of the city, ranging from beautiful butterflies, scattered alphabet letters for children to discover, tributes to Philly’s sports teams and stunning abstract murals. In Center City, a soaring 22-story mural by the artist MOMO showcases his methodology for creating abstract design, using practical geometry. It’s also the city’s tallest mural.
The author interviews Chad Eric Smith in the shadow of MOMO’s sky-high mural
There are even murals in nontraditional or unexpected places. “A Love Letter for You: Brick Valentines on the Philly Skyline” is a series of 50 rooftop murals best seen by elevated train. Created as a collective, giant love letter, the murals’ words are not only from a guy to a girl, but from an artist to his beloved hometown. That artist is Philadelphia native Steve Powers.
Many murals honor famous Philadelphians: Julius “Dr. J” Irving, Smokin’ Joe Frazier, John Coltrane, Kevin Hart, Frankie Avalon, The Roots. Others are dedicated to causes: veterans’ issues, the impact of incarceration, the vital nursing profession and the soaring youth suicide rate. Many of these public artworks are murals with a message.
Writer Karen Hendricks interviews Chad Eric Smith by “Point of Triangulation”
Smith led me to a Center City underpass where two “Point of Triangulation” murals depict nine previously-incarcerated people. To our right, under the words, “Once Stigmatized,” men and women are painted in plain prison garb. To our left, under the words, “Always Resilient,” the same people—returning citizens in colorful clothing—appear transformed.
“It asks the observer to question their own perspective on how people look,” said Smith. “While that can be a topic that’s deep, it allows for you to have a very visual and not antagonistic experience. Seen through art, what does it mean to you?”
And that’s been a primary tenet of Mural Arts Philadelphia since its 1984 founding—to use the power of art to inspire change in people and places.
“When a person is moved from the inside out, it’s more transformative,” Smith said.
Power in the Paint
Philly’s Mural Arts movement was birthed out of anti-graffiti efforts, “transferring the energies and talents of artists who were ‘tagging,’ into public participatory artwork,” Smith said. Jane Golden is the organization’s first and only executive director—a position she continues to hold today, as the nonprofit, partially supported by the city, creates between 100 and 150 murals annually.
“There are people whose lives have changed as a result of the artwork,” Smith said.
And he’s not just talking about you and me, visitors and residents. He’s talking about the artists and apprentices, many of whom express their life situations—maintaining sobriety, overcoming homelessness, being marginalized—through brushstrokes. More than 25,000 people are involved in Philly’s murals annually, including more than 2,000 young people enrolled in Mural Arts’ Art Education program.
Taking the time to understand the complexities, issues and people behind the paint on the surface of each wall reveals deeper context.
The Climate Justice Initiative is creating murals about climate change in the Lenapehoking neighborhood, originally Native American Lenape land. “Cecil B. Moore Freedom Fighters” honors a group of history-making Philadelphians.
“It’s a beautiful mural that puts emphasis on the young people behind a Civil Rights success to desegregate Girard College in 1965. It shows young people and families the importance of being on the front lines of demanding change,” says Smith.
Cecil B. Moore Philadelphia Freedom Fighters by Felix St. Fort and Game Tiberino - photo credit Steve Weinik
There’s also plenty of artistic innovation. The “Electric Philadelphia” murals integrate colorful tubes of light into underpass art. The city’s largest mural, “How Philly Moves,” located at Philadelphia International Airport, covers nearly 85,000 square feet and is the second largest mural in the world.
Murals Are a Draw
Guided weekend mural tours along nine routes, on foot and via trolley, tell the stories behind murals in Center City, historic Germantown, South and West Philly. A self-guided tour puts mural stories in the palm of visitors’ hands, via smartphones.
“It’s empowering for people to choose murals at their own pace and have access,” Smith said.
Just text the word “mural” to 215-608-1866 to book a guided tour or access the GPS-driven self-guided tour.
“Visitors are often surprised at the number of murals we have, and knowing their stories adds to our arts and culture,” said Rachel Ferguson of the city’s tourism organization Visit Philadelphia.
Jane Golden, founder of Mural Arts Philadelphia
Artistic Vision
While the depth and breadth of Mural Arts Philadelphia is staggering (more than 50 full-time employees; an annual budget of $13 million; 131 artists employed; 24,000 participants—all in fiscal year 2020), the city’s murals have far-reaching impact well beyond Pennsylvania’s largest city.
“We think cities all over the country can use it as a model, can see the power of the arts,” said Smith, who notes the organization has shared its artistic wisdom with city leaders, nationwide.
Why have murals been so successful in Philadelphia?
“Jane Golden is probably one of the most tenacious people I’ve met, as far as holding firm to the belief that art ignites change,” Smith said. “Being the visionary she is, understanding murals’ value as not superficial but impactful.”
In a city known as the birthplace of America, freedom and independence, it makes sense that Philadelphia also birthed America’s artistic mural culture and expression.
“Public art can move the needle in our hearts and minds, and expand our thinking about the world. I tend to think the arts can foster empathy, which is sometimes deficient in our culture,” Smith said. “Jane Golden once said, ‘Art is like oxygen—it should be everywhere and available to everyone.’ And that has stuck with me.”
For more information on Mural Arts Philadelphia, see muralarts.org.
Nature Nugget
A quick travel tip and photo, sharing incredible views, trails, or parks
Throughout the spring and summer, even into the fall: I constantly see beautiful feathers on my daily walks and runs. But imagine my surprise, spotting one in the icy sleet earlier this week.
Native Americans believe that when a feather falls to the earth, it’s a sacred, spiritual gift from our Creator. I’m honored to share this one with you.
Luna Lens
Sharing a photo of my fluffy floofy dog Luna… because there’s plenty of fluff to go around.
A snow angel? Or an Alaskan Malamute lovin’ a snow day? You decide…
Comfort Corner
A great recipe, or a Spotify song. Comfort food or chill tunes. Maybe both.
The next time you’re curling up with a good book, pair it with this Reading Soundtrack on Spotify. It’s filled with reflective, soothing piano music—the perfect soundtrack for a page-turner.
Be well,
Karen
Many thanks for the restack @Maria Rodale! 💕