Philadelphia is home to over 4,000 murals and world-class museums and offers a perfect blend of classic and contemporary art experiences through a series of colourful street murals. It has thus earned the title of the "Mural Capital of the World". Stroll through Philadelphia to see the art that makes up the city's public art gallery. Thousands of colourful murals can be found throughout, thanks to Mural Arts Philadelphia, the nation's largest public art program. The initiative began in 1984 and has grown from a simple beautification project to an internationally recognized art program. Mural Arts Philadelphia is also part of a larger campaign by the city to repurpose public spaces and create positive dialogue in communities.
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Water Gives Life mural
Photo Credit: Steve Weinik
Some of Philadelphia's most iconic murals can be found around the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Center City. "The Past Supporting the Future" features small paper cranes transforming into a large living crane taking flight. The mural represents Philadelphia's Chinatown and its growth and future. While, "Water Gives Life" depicts wildflowers representing the connection between Philadelphia's rivers and local flora.
Many of the city's murals are dedicated to its diverse citizens. Including "Colorful Legacy," a vibrant mural in West Philadelphia that raises awareness of the challenges faced by men and boys of colour while "Pride and Progress" depicts a gay pride festival at the William Way LGBT Community Center in Center City. If there is one thing Philadelphians are passionate about, it's their sports teams. Therefore, murals honouring the boldest Philadelphia legends can be found throughout the city. These murals include depictions of the World Series-winning Phillies teams, the 2018 Eagles, and legacy Sixers like Dr. J and Allen Iverson.
Some of the other famous murals include "Folding the Prism," a nod to the Spring Garden neighbourhood's history of textile production. "Wide Open" has multiple themes including brotherly love, skateboarding, and music. "Our Flag Unfurled," is a massive depiction of the American flag, created in the wake of the 9/11 attacks in 2001. The 6,000-square-foot mural is now one of the program's most visible works of art, located just north of Center City between I-95 and the Benjamin Franklin Bridge.
Philadelphia Eagles mural
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Once can explore Philadelphia's rich reserve of public and street art represented through these stunning murals throughout the city by taking a guided public art tours or taking a free self-guided tour using the guide available on the organisation's website. Philly by Segway is another option to tour the city's extensive collection of murals in a sustainable manner.
It is not hard to find art in Philadelphia thanks to the city's vibrant, unofficial public art scene. There are many iconic pieces of art worth seeing while visiting Philadelphia including Robert Indiana's LOVE Sculpture in John F. Kennedy Plaza, popularly known as LOVE Park. The sculpture marks the beginning of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, also known as Philadelphia's "Museum Mile."
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Photo Credit: K Huff for PHLCVB
At the other end of the parkway is the Philadelphia Museum of Art featuring the iconic statue of Rocky Balboa at the bottom of the art museum's steps, also known as the "Rocky Steps."
Philadelphia's Magic Gardens is a three-block museum/installation and a unique space filled with unexpected items, including mirrors, bottles, and bicycle wheels, all held together by colourful grout. There is also a community of so-called "yarn bombers" who brighten up spaces by wrapping trees or street signs in colourful crochet. Keep an eye out for linoleum plaques found embedded in certain stretches of sidewalk called Toynbee tiles. The mystery that surrounds these tiles became an international obsession after they began popping up in cities across the U.S.
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