I splatter acrylic paints on the wall of my environmental science teacher’s classroom. I infuse fluorescent yellows to render a lightbulb, add small stipples with my round brush to develop the fluffy texture of a tree, and layer shades of gray, dusk orange, and violet sky to depict the smokestacks of a power plant. My first ever mural, now a glowing display of vibrant colors and botanical imagery, proudly serves as a visual aid for renewable energy at my old high school. Though my mural project may seem small, it helped me find a second home in the “Mural Capital of the World” during an uncertain and sometimes intimidating transitory period of my life. But I couldn’t imagine a better place to start my college journey.
Philadelphia is brimming with iconic monuments, from the bronze statue of Rocky Balboa—symbolizing the city’s admiration for his underdog story—to Robert Indiana’s all-too-familiar pop art LOVE sculpture. But Philadelphia’s greatest strength may lie in the 4,000+ public murals spanning its cityscape. Bringing Philadelphia’s rich history to the public eye, these murals span themes of environmental justice, civil rights, and self expression.
Mural Arts Philadelphia (MAP), a longtime arts organization preparing to celebrate its 40th annual Mural Arts Month this year, is dedicated to the muralling of public spaces. Founded in 1984, MAP had an initial goal to combat the onslaught of inner-city graffiti in Philadelphia. The organization has since evolved into the nation’s largest public art program, abandoning its previous name as the Philadelphia Anti-Graffiti Network. Now, MAP coordinates the creative voices of painters, illustrators, and other innovators to transform empty walls into artworks that inspire hope and meaningful dialogue on a variety of subjects. An example of Philadelphia’s more notable mural projects includes the 50-painting series “A Love Letter For You” by West Philadelphian Steve Powers, which tells the ongoing love story between a boy and a girl through written exchanges and verbal imagery. Some standout and charmingly cheesy phrases in this series include “Miss you too often not to love you” and “I need you like juice; I won’t put you on the side like bacon; you can have me over easy.” Another mural titled “Flowering Axes” by muralist Mat Tomezsko spans across the tunnel at the intersection of Lehigh and Allegheny to pay homage to the construction workers whose bridges connect Philadelphia and New Jersey. The colorful, directional stripes of this work are meant to give those driving through the tunnel a sense of gratitude for the city’s transportation system built on the toiling backs of its working class. With 50-100 new murals decorating Philadelphia’s dense urban landscape each year, MAP actively seeks ways to connect the local community—and visitors passing by—with the city’s elaborate and diverse murals.
To kickoff the 40th annual Mural Arts Month—a time of the year stuffed with artist talks, communal events, fun foods, and special receptions celebrating Philadelphia’s expansive mural culture—MAP held a 2-hour long press conference at LOVE Park to preview the festivities of October. With food trucks, playgrounds, and ping pong tables, this conference came across as a community-binding event meant for leisure and camaraderie. With a podium taking center stage of the event’s speaking portion, emerging abstract artist Aiyana Viviana discussed the mini-mural project she plans to complete during Mural Arts Month. Her work explores the thoughts and emotions of the human experience. During her speech, Viviana shared that she grew up in Indiana, and witnessed first-hand a city littered with violence. Art, for her, provided “an escape from [her] everyday life.” Perhaps elements of escapism will play into the concepts of her mini-mural. This event also included a segment of the To the Polls project, featuring several artists whose work serves the mission to rally voters this upcoming election. This highlights murals’ capabilities to shed light on a cause and spark civic change in its community, reminding us that our vote is a tool to ignite change for the future of Philadelphia, and the nation at large.
MAP also announces its theme for its 40th Mural Arts Month: Roots & Reimagination. This title honors Philadelphia’s rich history of community engagement and avid support of the arts. A vehicle for innovation, Roots & Reimagination not only acknowledges the way public art is deeply ingrained in Philadelphia’s social fabric, but motions the dissemination of new ideas for future murals on the horizon.
Murals continue to serve as a cornerstone of Philadelphia’s cultural buoyancy. To learn more about what Mural Arts Month has to offer this year, visit MAP’s Mural Arts Fest on Sunday, October 6th from 1-6pm at Love Park, free of cost! Dance in the center plaza to the local talent of Philadelphia’s DJ's and splurge at the moderately priced food trucks. Most importantly, embrace the vibrant journey ahead, filled with the history, culture, and infectious enthusiasm of some of Philadelphia’s most talented creatives showcasing their skills this October.
Let MMA’s dedication to the Philadelphia community assure you that no matter the day, there is always a way to engage with the arts. Stay updated on MMA’s packed online itinerary, get lost in the details of the arresting murals permeating the city, and relish a community that values and uplifts its artistry.
