MIDTERMS: VISUAL ESSAY

COURSE CODE: D02

COURSE TITLE: Civic Media

Prepared by: Anthony Salatto

Submitted to: Professor Mukhongo

Introduction

I chose to walk around Manayunk to observer different types of street art in the community. There are many different murals located around this part of Philadelphia that are all uniquely different and have there own meanings. Some are focused on social issues others and focused on things that bring the community of Manayunk together. 

Murals

The first Mural I looked at was dedicated to the Philadelphia Guild of Handweavers. The Philadelphia Guild of Handweavers was founded in 1952 when a group of weavers in the Philadelphia area began to meet to become stronger with there profession. Through education and the exchange of ideas, they hoped to inspire others to greater proficiency as weavers. It is a  is a non-profit organization that strives to teach new members the art of weaving. The Mural depicts a group of people weaving baskets and other items . The design of the building is intended to mimic the pattern of something being weaved.

A view of the Mural from Main Street.©2011 Kathryn Pannepacker.

The second Mural I went to see was abbot the Philadelphia Marathon. The Philadelphia Marathon Mural was created to celebrate the history of the Philadelphia Marathon. The extremely famous race that has attracted thousands of runners to the city every year since 1994. It is located along the race route, the mural features sights from throughout the course and expresses the diversity of racers who participate each year. Many famous Philadelphia land market are featured like China Town, the Rocky Steps, and the Benjamin Franklin Bridge.

A view of the Mural from Main Street.©2019 Kala Hagopian.

This is the third Mural I looked at in Manayunk. This mural is a mosaic that is constructed of many different tiles to create the image. The piece depicts eighty three different bird species found in Fairmont Park. The project was funded by 11 different funds and foundations from all over Philadelphia. It was also mostly built by seventh and eighth graders from the Gesu School located in Philadelphia.

A view of the Mural from Main Street.©2001 Josey Stamm and students of Gesu School.

The fourth mural I looked at was the mural for the The Philadelphia international championship. The site that was chosen is at the end of Main Street in Manayunk, under a rail trestle at Leverington Avenue. The location was chosen due to the it being a popular spot for cyclists leaving the city area to bike up Umbria street. It is designed to be a welcome sign to let cyclists know to turn on level roads back into Manayunck. The path at one point was the U.S. National Championship race, it featured a men’s and women’s pro race. To honor of those races the mural is titled The Philadelphia International Championship.

A view of the Mural from Leverington Ave.©2019 Eleanor Dalker.

The fifth mural I looked at was Sandy’s Dream. The 69 x 50’ mural was the first wall painting work to raise cancer awareness in the United States. Created in collaboration with members of the Sandy Rollman Foundation, Mural Arts Philadelphia and others. In 2005 the Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation, Mural Arts Philadelphia and others, came together to create a mural offering awareness and support to those afflicted with Ovarian Cancer. In 2014 the mural was restored and had a ceremony. The ceremony was marked by a moment of silence in memory of all women lost and in honor of all women still fighting. Also many Manayunk businesses came together to donate a portion of their proceeds toward the Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation.

A view of the Mural from Main Street.©2005 and ©2014 Ann Northrup.

The last Mural I saw was this one underneath a bridge by my house. This mural was started by SplashLab Arts. SplashLab Arts is a Montessori inspired art center in East Falls, Pennsylvania. SplashLab’s goal is to offer fun and creative arts experiences to all children and families. What is unique about this mural is that it is an active public art presence in the Philadelphia community. SplashLab Arts joined forces with The Manayunk Development Corporation to create a “collaborative community mural” that encourages people in the area directly contributed to.  So in this case there is not one specific artist as many citizens of the community have added there own unique touches to the mural.

Views of the Mural from Cresson Street. ©2017 SplashLab Arts

Conclusion

I overall really enjoyed this midterm assignment. It honestly have driven up, down, and all around Manayunk and didn’t really take the time to notice all the beautiful works of art located in the community. With this assignment I really got to appreciate the community and it was interesting to research all the different murals and their meanings behind them.

Work Cited

“Art Workshops & Private Parties for All Age: Phila.” SplashLab Arts, http://www.splashlabarts.com/.

“Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation.” Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation, sandyovarian.org/.

Tucker, Alexus. “Homepage.” Mural Arts Philadelphia, http://www.muralarts.org/.

Varrone, Faith. Philadelphia Guild of Handweavers, http://www.pghw.org/.