As a Cowboy fan, it's hard to find love in the self proclaimed "city of Brotherly Love", but at The Mural Arts Program, it is busting out all over the place. Besides cheesesteaks, it's what makes Philadelphians proud to be associated with "the birthplace"of Murals.
Its mission statement unites artists and communities through a collaborative process, rooted in the traditions of mural-making to create art that transforms public spaces and individual lives.
Founded in 1984, The Anti-Graffiti Network took on Jane Golden, muralist extraordinaire, to redirect their drive from destructive and profane graffiti writings, to inspirational mural paintings.
Recruiting an army of gifted graffiti artists, they transformed the city into a magical land of color, beauty, and energy. These new masterpieces changed the lives of those who worked on them and brought new aesthetic view to the city.
Since its origin, the Mural arts program has produced over 3,6000 works of art which have become a place of interest to many visitors from all over the world.
The programs offers self-guided tours of the murals for individuals or groups. (I highly recommend taking the tour!) But on the flip side, their educational programs are offered without a fee. (Hey! What do you know? Some things in this life are free).
The curriculum engages its youth to use their problem solving skills, so they can have a more productive and successful life. Incarcerated and released men and women inmates can also benefit from the program provided by a stipend so they can participate in creating murals for community centers and schools. What a wonderful asset this is to the city of Philadelphia! The program can be summed up in three simple words (which is Golden's personal mantra) Art Saves Lives.
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