Project Summary:
In Philadelphia I did my research on wall murals hoping to look at murals as a "window" into communities. The Mural Arts Program in Philadelphia began in 1984 as a way of combating the serious problem of street graffiti. With over 1,620 murals, Philadelphia has more than any other city in the U.S. Currently, less than ten have been vandalised by "graffiti artists." Murals in Philadelphia are a very useful tool to use when trying to learn about communities in a non-intrusive way. North and West Philadelphia are two areas that have become notorious for high crime rates and drug-related problems. They also have the highest concentration of murals, thanks to efforts of Jane Golden Heriza, director of the Mural Arts Program who believes that murals are, "half aesthetics and half social activism." The murals tell of racial strife and healing, celebrating war heroes, and famous events in the history of sport. These all work together to show that it is possible to learn about people from their art.