Philadelphia: a City of Murals

A man and woman dancing in the street in front of rowhouses. — Fairmount Waltz by D.S. Gordon, located at North 29th and Ogden streets near the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

In Philadelphia, the walls tell stories. The histories and aspirations of the city’s diverse communities, not to mention popular culture, local references and even legal battles, are found in the hundreds of murals and graffiti works found throughout Philly.

The images on this site capture sections of a handful of the many creative works scattered throughout the city.

Some are works sponsored by Mural Arts Philadelphia and others are associated with local businesses. A few are ephemeral street art captured digitally and since painted over with new creations.

a section from the Phillies Mural featuring a baseball diamond and players — The Phillies Mural by David McShane, Walnut and 24th streets

a section of the Trolley Stop mural showing local residents interaction in and near their homes by the stop — Trolley Stop by Paul Santoleri, Haverford Avenue at Union Street

a section of a tiled wall mural showing the science center and a sign for pretzels. — Indoor mural in SEPTA’s 34th Street Station, artist unknown, Market and 34th streets

a section of a wall showing a hand holding a paintbrush mixing colors — West wall of Dupree Studios, 3600 block of Haverford Avenue

You Can Be Stronger Than Diabetes by Kristin Groeveld, Frankford Avenue at Palmer Street

MLK on Lancaster Avenue by Cliff Eubanks, Lancaster at Haverford Avenue and 40th Street

Old City Mural by Steve Powers, Second Street at Trotters Alley

People’s Progression Toward Equity by Jared Bader, Eighth and Ranstead streets

Di Bruno Brothers House of Cheese, artist unknown, South Ninth and Montrose streets

Street art, Cecil B Moore and Germantown avenues, December 2015

Front of Dupree Studios, 3600 block of Haverford Avenue

Title and artist unknown, Quarry and North Third streets

Street art, Cecil B Moore and Germantown avenues, August 2017

Street art, Cecil B Moore and Germantown avenues, February 2016

Images of Wilt Chamberlain playing basketball, alongside a long anecdote from Barbara Chamberlain Lews. — Tribute to Wilt Chamberlain by John Lewis, Vine and North 13th streets.

Photos of local murals provided courtesy of Susan Walker and Cliff Schwinger. The color contrast in some images has been increased for better viewing on the web.

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