Philadelphia offers a perfect blend of classic and contemporary art experiences through an array of colorful street graffiti
Philadelphia is the “Graffiti Capital” of the World with over 4,000 artworks
Philadelphia is home to more than 4,000 murals and world-class museums and offers a perfect mix of classic and contemporary art experiences through an array of colorful street graffiti, earning it the title of “Graffiti Capital of the World.” Take a stroll through Philadelphia to see the art that makes up the city’s public art gallery. Thousands of colorful graffiti can be seen everywhere thanks to Mural Arts Philadelphia, the country’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 city campaign to repurpose public spaces and create positive dialogue in communities.
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Water Gives Life mural
Photo credit: Steve Wenig
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. This mural depicts Philadelphia’s Chinatown and its growth and future. While, “Water Gives Life” depicts wildflowers that show the connection between Philadelphia’s rivers and local flora.
Many of the city’s murals are dedicated to its diverse citizens. These include “Colorful Legacy,” a vibrant mural in West Philadelphia that raises awareness of the challenges faced by men and boys of color while “Pride and Progress” depicts gay pride celebrations at the William Way LGBT Community Center in Center City. If there’s one thing Philadelphians are passionate about, it’s their sports teams. Therefore, murals honoring Philadelphia’s most courageous legends can be seen throughout the city. These murals include depictions of World Series-winning Phillies teams, the 2018 Eagles, and legacy Sixers like Dr. J and Allen Iverson.
Other well-known murals include “Folding the Prism,” which depicts the Spring Garden neighborhood’s history of textile production. “Wide Open” features a number of themes, including brotherhood, skateboarding and music. “Our Flag Unfurled” is a giant depiction of the American flag, created in 2001 in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. The 6,000-square-foot mural is now one of the program’s most visible artworks, located just north of Center City between I-95 and the Benjamin Franklin Bridge.
Philadelphia Eagles murals
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To see Philadelphia's rich store of public and street art, you can take a guided public art tour through these fantastic graffiti sites across the city or take a free self-guided tour using a guide available on the organization's website. Philly by Segway is another option for viewing the city's extensive collection of graffiti in a sustainable way.
Art isn't hard to find in Philadelphia, thanks to the city's vibrant, informal public art scene. There are several iconic artworks worth seeing while visiting Philadelphia, including Robert Indiana's LOVE sculpture at John F. Kennedy Plaza, better known as LOVE Park. The sculpture marks the beginning of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, also known as Philadelphia's "Museum Mile."
Philadelphia Art Museum
Photo credit: Kay Huff for PHLCVB
At the other end of the parkway is the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where the iconic statue of Rocky Balboa is installed 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 is a unique space, filled with unexpected objects, including mirrors, bottles and bicycle wheels, held together by colored grout. There is also a community of so-called "yarn bombers" who brighten up places by wrapping trees or street signs in colorful crochet. Keep an eye out for linoleum plaques found in parts of the sidewalk called Toynbee tile. The mystery surrounding these tiles became an international obsession after they appeared in cities across the U.S.
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