Let’s tour the ‘City of Murals’

In Philadelphia, every wall is a potential blank canvas, and stunning murals adorn building exteriors and walls all over.

The Countryside of Philadelphia is a necessary stopping point when discovering Pennsylvania’s art – between the famed Wyeth family and the number of various museums, galleries, and studios in the area, Countryside of Philadelphia is a vibrant art hotspot. The creative urges here are strong, and over the past few years artists and members of the county have begun to think outside of the frame, literally.

Today, the Countryside of Philadelphia has a number of beautiful murals on display that not only add character to the already charming countryside, but also tell a story about the people who are here. These murals reflect the rich history and the bright future of Philadelphia, the Countryside has a display of murals that both locals and visitors will be sure to appreciate.

Mural Arts Philadelphia has created thousands of murals over its more than 33-year history, and each one has a unique story, connecting communities through public art. Mural Arts Philadelphia is the nation’s largest public art program, dedicated to the belief that art ignites change. For over 33 years, Mural Arts has united artists and communities through a collaborative and equitable process, creating nearly 4,000 artworks that have transformed public spaces and individual lives.

Mural Arts aims to empower people, stimulate dialogue, and build bridges to understanding with projects that attract artists from Philadelphia and around the world, and programs that focus on youth education, restorative justice, mental health and wellness, and public art and its preservation. Popular mural tours offer a first-hand glimpse into the inspiring stories behind Mural Arts’ iconic and unparalleled collection, which has earned Philadelphia worldwide recognition as the “City of Murals.”

In normal times, each year, over 12,000 residents and visitors are guided through a behind-the-scenes look at the vibrant “City of Murals,” with in-depth stories about the people and the communities who inspired and shaped each project. Many walks are organized and range of opportunities for regularly scheduled public and private expeditions led by professionally-trained guides are offered from spring to fall.

Philadelphia’s public art includes stunning works such as the iconic Common Threads by Meg Saligman and Philly Painting project along Germantown Avenue.  Fishtown leads the way as Philly’s ever-evolving epicenter for dynamic street art, graffiti, and muralism.

There are regular Season Tours for murals sighting. Regularly scheduled trolley tours offer unique neighborhood experiences to see Philadelphia’s abundance of murals. Spring Garden & Beyond Tour, focuses on a variety of new murals and some street art in the Spring Arts District, which skirts Center City. The Masterpieces East & Masterpieces West Tour highlight iconic murals and new works in neighborhoods throughout the city, east and west of Broad Street. In addition to these three trolley routes, Mural Arts Philadelphia also conducts a Journeys South Tour and Philadelphia’s Reimagined Landscapes Tour. All tours rotate throughout the season in order to expose more public art installations to more visitors. Trolleys are enclosed and tours depart rain or shine. A substitute vehicle is used if necessary.

There have been many Walking Tours, where visitors have the option to set out on foot to tour Philadelphia’s beautiful public art collection with Mural Arts Philadelphia’s Mural Mile Center City Walking Tour. Participants have the chance to view the stunning murals up close and personal as they weave through diverse neighborhoods throughout Center City. With a professionally-trained guide, guests learn about the people, places, and themes of each mural as well as Mural Arts Philadelphia’s history.

There has been a Mural Arts Philadelphia’s Mural Arts Love Letter Train Tour. In collaboration with Mural Arts Philadelphia, New York-based artist Stephen Powers created Love Letter, a public art project consisting of a series of 50 rooftop murals from 45^th to 63^rd streets along the Market Street corridor in West Philadelphia. Professionally-trained guides provide commentary and lead passengers on and off trains to spot murals from platforms. 

Then there is a Mural Arts Segway Tour which leaves from Philly Tour Hub, travels through Spring Garden and Northern Liberties and talks about the spectacular murals while riding a unique Segway.

So, while we still have time to physically go to Philadelphia and enjoy these murals, for the time being tour these murals online with Awara Musafir to experience art and history at the Countryside of Philadelphia.

Phoenixville Mural

Located on the exterior wall of Marly’s BYO on Bridge Street in Phoenixville, the mural reads “Welcome to Phoenixville” and is based off of a 1932 photo that displays a view of the factory that can still be seen today. The mural was painted by Teresa Haag and was completed in September 2015.

125th Anniversary Mural at Malvern

Located in the Lobby of Borough Hall in Malvern this was the fifth project for the Malvern Community Art Project. The mural depicts King Street in 1889 and 2014. The pieces were painted by artist Randall Graham and were completed in 2015.

Warren Avenue Project

Located on the side of the Malvern Saddlery in Malvern, it was the sixth project for the Malvern Community Art Project. The mural is a replica of a historic photo of a horse and buggy traveling through the Warren Avenue tunnel with the addition of President Lincoln’s funeral train. The mural was painted by Carrie Kingsbury and was completed in 2015.

Harriet Tubman Mural

Located on Willow Street in Kennett Square, this mural depicts Harriet Tubman leading silhouetted freedom seekers toward the North Star. The mural also features a list of some Kennett abolitionists and those they helped. The mural was designed and painted by artists Dave Mass and Joey Gothelf and was finished on November 13, 2010.

Oxford Mainstreet

Chester County’s newest murals have been created in Downtown Oxford. In the last three years many new murals have been created and a lot of it has to do with the Connective Arts & Music Festival. Last year, 2019 at the Connective Festival, local artist Derrick Noel painted a mural throughout the course of the day right in the heart of Downtown Oxford. It will be no surprise to see more beautiful artwork coming up during one of our counties biggest Art & Music festivals. In 2016 a warm and vibrant piece showcasing vines and leaves on a formerly nondescript cinder block wall on Third Street was envisioned and painted by local artist Susan Melrath and was Funded by a private donor whose funds were matched by Oxford Mainstreet.

Murals at Montgomery County

The vibrant towns and communities that make up Montgomery County are located approximately 30 miles outside of Philadelphia and easily accessible by car and train. People normally head into the open spaces of Valley Forge and Montgomery County for fantastic golf, hiking, biking, fishing, horseback riding and boating. Montgomery County is home to some excellent restaurants and bars as well, poised to satisfy any and all cravings. Here is a glimpse of some murals in the county.