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The World's Biggest Outdoor Gallery: The Mural Mile, Philadelphia

THE MURAL MILE, PHILADELPHIA:THE WORLD’S BIGGEST OUTDOOR GALLERY

20th August 2019

Last Updated on 29th April 2020 by Bejal

The Mural Mile in Philadelphia, is quite literally the world’s largest open air gallery, and trust me it’s not restricted to a mile either from its humble beginnings thirty odd years ago.

I’ve mentioned many times previously, I’m in awe of street art and the artists who create this art form, which has such poignant yet provocative messages behind the façade. Following my visits to Wynwood Walls in Miami, The Bushwick Collective in Brooklyn and the Bring The Paint festival in my home city of Leicester, I was excited to learn of The Mural Mile, Philadelphia.

The World's Biggest Outdoor Gallery: The Mural Mile, Philadelphia

Have a read of my post about the world famous, Bushwick Collective below:

THE AMAZING BUSHWICK COLLECTIVE STREET ART TOUR, BROOKLYN

My home city, Leicester’s Bring The Pain Festival:

https://be-lavie.com/graffiti-art-bring-paint-2017/

Philadelphia or Philly has always been known for its street art culture, which depicts the everyday struggles of local folk. The Mural Mile was set up by Mural Arts as part of the Philly anti-graffiti network, aiming to transform the gripes of graffiti writers into a recognised art form that is able to bring constructive communications amongst the local community as well as neighbouring areas.

The Mural Mile, Philadelphia: The World's Biggest Outdoor Gallery
‘Finding Home’ themed on homelessness and was made with the help of a number of Philly’s homeless residents.

The Mural Arts Program is the largest public art program in USA and is dedicated to the fact that art ignites change. It began in 1984 when artist Jane Golden lead the Philadelphia Anti-Graffiti Network to re-focus the creative work of local graffiti writers. In these times graffiti was most definitely referred to as a defacement of public property however Jane believed that art can help individuals and the community change collectively. She provided encouragement for artists  to work on community projects and focus on replacing the graffiti with street art. 

Developing a program that brought structure, guidance and more importantly income and  recognition of artists  to Philadelphia, as they were paid for their work that was done on murals. 

The Mural Mile, Philadelphia: The World's Biggest Outdoor Gallery
A reminder of the gun crime tragedies in the USA. Graffiti has given gangs and young adults to find another non-violent way to communicate.

Over thirty years after the Mural Arts programme was formed, more and more artists have been given public areas to display their talent, each piece is utterly thought provoking and given a title. At one time, artists had to knock on doors to ask permission to paint on walls but now there is a fully fledged programme in place where murals are sponsored but don’t contain promotional material. The Mural Arts  engages 50-100 art projects each year in the local community and additionally completes a number of restoration projects.

The Mural Mile, Philadelphia:The World's Biggest Outdoor Gallery
‘Sanctuary’  raises awareness about mental and emotional health and to inspire conversation about what constitutes community health. It’s based on the Enso circle, a form of active meditation 

The Mural Arts project covers the following missions:

Art Education

Art education programs for 2,000+ under served Philadelphia youth 10 – 21 years of age in 25 – 30 sites. The students develop new skills and bring their talents and labour to new projects.

Restorative Justice

Employs 25 inmates from a maximum security prison to work on murals as well as provide paid apprenticeships for at risk youth people aged 18 -24.  The program is very successful as 74% of Restorative Justice Guild graduates are placed in steady employment, higher education or vocational training programs.

Porch Light

With over 3,000 community members engaged in Porch Light Programs, this initiative works on important mental and behaviour health issues through year-round workshops, community meetings, health forums and paint days.

Public Art and Civic Engagement

Through collaborative community projects the murals focus on building social capital, representing diversity and honouring history.  Creating murals that are relevant to the neighbourhood, commemorating important people, dates or events in Philadelphia.

Tours and Public Program

Private and public tours are offered by professional guides and artists.  Over 100 events include dedications, panel discussions, gallery exhibitions, artist talks and community paint days.  Fundraisers and a month-long celebration of all things Mural Arts is held in October.  Each year, 12,000 residents and visitors tour Mural Arts’ outdoor art gallery, injecting $2.7 million into Philadelphia’s creative economy each year.

The Mural Mile, Philadelphia: The World's Biggest Outdoor Gallery
‘Building the City mural’ tribute to Philadelphia architecture and features workers pouring steel, the main component of the city’s skyscrapers.

The map below shows the Self-guided tour and both the North and South mile of the route, which I opted to follow. Both routes are actually further than a mile and took me around half a day to complete. You can also download an audio guide, which gives you an explanation of the art work including the techniques used and its significance or representation. It is no wonder Philadelphia is also known as the ‘City of Murals’

The Mural Mile, Philadelphia: The World's Biggest Outdoor Gallery
Image Courtesy: Mural Arts Org.
The Mural Mile, Philadelphia: The World's Biggest Outdoor Gallery
The Mural Mile, Philadelphia: The World's Biggest Outdoor Gallery
Another portion of ‘Finding Home’

Below is a selection of some of my favourites from the self-guided Mural Mile Tour. I completed both the North and South tours. Just to note if you’re planning to do a similar thing, both routes took around half a day but it was great to be able to take things at a slower pace and reflect on the mural pieces and messages behind them.

The Mural Mile, Philadelphia: The World's Biggest Outdoor Gallery
‘Mural at Dirty Franks’
The World's Biggest Outdoor Gallery: The Mural Mile, Philadelphia
‘The Atlas of Tomorrow’ promotes mental health and awareness
The World's Biggest Outdoor Gallery: The Mural Mile, Philadelphia
‘The Atlas of Tomorrow’ promotes mental health and awareness

The Mural Mile, Philadelphia: The World's Biggest Outdoor Gallery
‘Garden of Delight’
The World's Biggest Outdoor Gallery: The Mural Mile, Philadelphia
‘Acknowledgement’
The World's Biggest Outdoor Gallery: The Mural Mile, Philadelphia
‘Acknowledgement’

The Mural Mile, Philadelphia: The World's Biggest Outdoor Gallery
‘Philadelphia Muses’ features nine classical Greek muses of the arts with each one based on an actual Philadelphian. The lady in the middle is the muse of Performance and the man with the flute is the muse of Word.
The Mural Mile, Philadelphia: The World's Biggest Outdoor Gallery
In the background: ‘Personal Melody’
The World's Biggest Outdoor Gallery: The Mural Mile, Philadelphia
‘Appraisal’
The World's Biggest Outdoor Gallery: The Mural Mile, Philadelphia
‘Appraisal’

The Mural Mile, Philadelphia: The World's Biggest Outdoor Gallery
‘Rhythm and Diversity’
The World's Biggest Outdoor Gallery: The Mural Mile, Philadelphia
‘Tree of Knowledge’ A Political Mural
The World's Biggest Outdoor Gallery: The Mural Mile, Philadelphia
‘Tree of Knowledge’ A Political Mural

The Mural Mile, Philadelphia: The World's Biggest Outdoor Gallery
‘Finding Home’
The World's Biggest Outdoor Gallery: The Mural Mile, Philadelphia
‘Spring’
The World's Biggest Outdoor Gallery: The Mural Mile, Philadelphia
‘Spring’

The Mural Mile, Philadelphia: The World's Biggest Outdoor Gallery
‘Legacy’ A girl holding the flame of liberty. Around her neck are two medals — depicting Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass — and an 1838 abolitionist coin from England that reads: “Am I not a woman and a sister.”
The World's Biggest Outdoor Gallery: The Mural Mile, Philadelphia
‘Crystal Snowscape’
The World's Biggest Outdoor Gallery: The Mural Mile, Philadelphia
‘Crystal Snowscape’

The Mural Mile, Philadelphia: The World's Biggest Outdoor Gallery
‘Peoples Progression Towards Equality’
The World's Biggest Outdoor Gallery: The Mural Mile, Philadelphia
‘How we Fish’
The World's Biggest Outdoor Gallery: The Mural Mile, Philadelphia
‘How we Fish’

The Mural Mile, Philadelphia: The World's Biggest Outdoor Gallery
‘Stronger Together’
The Mural Mile, Philadelphia: The World's Biggest Outdoor Gallery
‘Philly Chunk Pack’

The Mural Arts programme and other street art initiatives in Philly are an incredibly inspiring and an invaluable portal of bringing the communities of the city together in uniting diversity, race and rhythm. It provides many a platform to voice their grievances in an artistic form to showcase talent and most importantly create harmony and appreciation of residents and their neighbourhoods and thus the city as a whole.

The Mural Mile, Philadelphia: The World's Biggest Outdoor Gallery

Mural Arts Philadelphia

1727-29 Mount Vernon Street

Philadelphia 19130

More information and downloadable maps are available  via their website

I’d love to hear your comments about The Mural Mile below. have you ever been on a mural walking tour before?

Á Bientôt…

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  • The World's Biggest Outdoor Gallery: The Mural Mile, Philadelphia
  • The World's Biggest Outdoor Gallery: The Mural Mile, Philadelphia
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Bejal

I’m Bejal aka Be, an ex-scientist turned travel writer and digital content creator. I have travelled to 6 continents, visited 70 plus countries, including an around the world trip, making me quite the expert in crafting intricate itineraries. I love to discover some of the world's more remote destinations and stay in some incredible hidden location eco-hotels. My aim is to transport you, my audience, to inspirational and cultural global spots that are less visited and allow you to see the 'real' and authentic side of destinations through detailed guides with a sprinkling of luxury. The spotlight is on eco-friendly responsible experiential travel with lifelong memories.

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  • Binny
    21st August 2019

    What awesome murals!!! Never been on a mural walking tour before

    Reply
    • Bejal
      Binny
      21st August 2019

      They just so incredible! I’d definitely recommend if you’re ever in Philly!

      Reply
  • Izzy McLeod
    21st August 2019

    Oh wow how awesome! I love how a lot of this art is also involved in education and social justice <3

    The Quirky Queer

    Reply
    • Bejal
      Izzy McLeod
      21st August 2019

      Mural Mile is totally incredible! I’m with you, it’s just so much more than murals and the message behind all this is truly inspirational. Thanks for your lovey comment and stopping by.

      Reply
  • Cristina - Memories of the Pacific
    22nd August 2019

    I’ve never been on a mural walking tour but it sounds amazing! I love the Mural Art project, such a wonderful idea. Art changes cities in such an amazing way, it’s not only about making them pretty but it brings so many good things to communities

    Reply
    • Bejal
      Cristina – Memories of the Pacific
      24th August 2019

      Oh it’s just simply terrific! If you ever do go to Philly, I would recommend for sure. the main message here is that not only does it showcase but also allows communities to understand and live together harmoniously! I think something many parts of the world can learn from and very inspirational indeed!

      Reply
  • Rasha
    24th August 2019

    These murals are so beautiful! It’s amazing how much talent there is out there…I think ‘Sanctuary’ is my favourite one!

    Reply
    • Bejal
      Rasha
      24th August 2019

      The talent is just insane!the Sanctuary is rather special in that not only is it beautiful but also in the message it delivers with regards to mental wellbeing.

      Reply
  • thetravelsofmrsb
    23rd October 2019

    I love street art, there are so many stunning ones, love your pictures!

    Reply
    • Bejal
      thetravelsofmrsb
      23rd October 2019

      Thanks Laura. Literally you could spend a few days just taking photos of all the murals and they’re so intricate and ho wtalented are teh artists?!

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Bejal aka Be
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Hello, I'm Be, an ex-scientist turned travel writer and digital content creator having travelled to 70 plus countries, all over the globe. My aim is to transport you to less visited inspirational and cultural global spots showing off the 'real' authentic side of destinations through detailed guides with a sprinkling of luxury. The spotlight is on eco-friendly responsible travel with lots of coffee spots and veggie food thrown in!

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