Welcome to Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love. From Jim’s Steaks to the lights on Boathouse Row, this city’s got it all. World champion Phillies and Eagles and a world-ranked Museum of Art. High-tech companies and old school history. Home to M. Night Shyamalan’s films, Jason Kelce’s pride, Grace Kelly’s heart, and, ready for this, more than 3,000 murals.
Philadelphia boasts the largest showcase of public and street art wall paintings. In Center City alone there are over 37 murals that make up the collective Mural Mile. The north-south thoroughfare of the mile is 13th St, where from Race down to Pine there are fourteen gorgeous works of art on display in the grandest of galleries. Every day. All the time. Outdoor, accessible, and communal.
These murals are not gimmicky pieces of sidewalk art. Neither are they faded lithos nor hidden plaques that can be easily ignored when jumping in-and-out of Starbucks or Double Knot. These are building-size, larger-than-life, Rocky Balboa-worthy explosions of color and style and substance and story that are so in your face they are daring you to look away, which is a threat not many go up against. This is art, Philly-style. Political, historical, and societal pieces all meant to inspire, to ignite conversation, to evoke a creative evolution. That is the power of this public, free art.
The 13th Street Mural Mile is part of my daily commute. This is my personal scene-setter and daily motivator making the heat of the city seem a little sweeter and that 10 AM project call less worrisome.
I live in Jersey and take PATCO into the city every AM. The journey begins looking out on green manicured lawns, devolving into urban grey before the ride goes completely dark as the PA side of the commute becomes entirely subterranean. Once landed, a short staircase climb is followed not only with light and the busy life of the city, but the inspirational greeting of the Philadelphia Muses (by Meg Saligman, 13th & Locust). The provocation is to squint past the 24-hour daily rate lot nearly full of early bird special commuters and look at the two-story building resting behind the Nissan minivans where from street corner to alleyway, from sidewalk to sky, there are portrayed multiple images of creative expression in hi-def, skin-tingling, technicolor. Forget about the morning macchiato; this is the jumpstart every day needs.
Established in 1984 as part of the Philadelphia Anti-Graffiti Network, Mural Arts’ collective program became a powerful tool in addressing deep community issues while sparking economic revitalization. Residents are proud to have these pieces on their streets and take ownership in having the mural as part of their neighborhood.
