BlogKing March 24th, 2007
Now that Spring weather has returned it is great to take a walk in this most walkable city. Now you can see the Comcast tower reaching for topping off soon. Here is a view looking up from the banks of the Schuylkill River.
The Philly skyline is busting out all over. And there is excitement and hope in the air with the mayor’s primary in May and Delaware River master planning in process.
For those of you afraid of heights (me included) do not look at this picture from the recently topped off 930 foot concrete core of Comcast.
I think I’m getting dizzy. Well, I warned you. If you can stomach more take the hard hat tour over at Philly Skyline.
If your neck gets sore from looking up to see the new members of the skyline then maybe something closer to the ground is in order. How about taking in a local mural. After all there are over 2,500! You read that right. There is no debate that Philadelphia is widely considered to be the “Mural Capital of the World“.
This is one of my favorite. Called Summer: The Meeting by David Guinn.
“There is no program anywhere that better realizes the potential and value of art to our culture. As much as these murals have contributed to the beautification and revitalization of the City, the Mural Arts Program must be congratulated even more for engaging the youth of Philadelphia.
Edward G. Rendell
Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
The Philadelphia Mural Arts Program (MAP) started in 1984 as a component of the Anti-Graffiti Network (PAGN), a city-wide initiative to eradicate destructive graffiti and address neighborhood blight. As part of this effort, PAGN hired mural artist Jane Golden to reach out to graffiti writers and to redirect their energies to mural-making. Mural-making not only helped these young men and women develop their artistic skills, but also empowered them to beautify their neighborhoods. In 1996, the City of Philadelphia recognized MAP as a program distinct from the Anti-Graffiti Network. At the same time, MAP established a non profit organization, The Philadelphia Mural Arts Advocates. The Advocates have a broad mission of youth development and neighborhood revitalization through the arts.
The Mural Arts Program has produced over 2,700 murals throughout Philadelphia–more murals than any other city in the world. These murals have become a cherished part of the civic landscape and a great source of pride and motivation to the millions of residents and visitors who encounter them each year. Currently, MAP is involved in mural-making and art education throughout the city of Philadelphia. MAP’s art education programs target under-served youth at neighborhood sites throughout Philadelphia, both after-school and during the summer. Art education classes use mural-making to teach art, promote self-confidence, and foster life and job skills. With professional artists serving as educators and role models, MAP’s art education programs serve more than 3,000 youth each year. Art education classes are offered at no fee, ensuring accessibility for all youth.
There is even a geo-coded database so you can find murals in your neighborhood. So get out there and enjoy a Philadelphia spring day.
I’ll leave you with this wonderful vision of A Moment in Spring by Guinn.
