1984
In 1984, Mural Arts is established as part of the Philadelphia Anti-Graffiti Network.
Artist Jane Golden reaches out to graffiti writers in order to redirect their energies into constructive public art projects. Mural Arts’ collective mural-making process proves to be a powerful tool for generating dialogue, building relationships, empowering communities, and sparking economic revitalization.
1989
Well-known portrait muralist Kent Twitchell creates Dr. J at 1219 Ridge Avenue, integrating superior artwork with a subject significant to the community. This is the first mural installed using the parachute cloth method.
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1997
Philadelphia Mural Arts Advocates, a private nonprofit, is incorporated to advise and support Mural Arts Philadelphia. Within the municipal government, Mural Arts is transferred from Anti-Graffiti to the Department of Recreation.
Learn about our mission1998
Amidst neighborhood tensions in Grays Ferry, Peace Wall is painted. The mural helps residents find common ground through art, becoming a symbol of hope and unity.
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Meg Saligman paints Common Threads at Broad and Spring Garden Streets. Soaring eight stories above Broad Street, it remains one of the most iconic mural images.
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2007
Their Royal Highnesses Charles, the Prince of Wales and his wife, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, make a historic visit to Philadelphia and spend the afternoon with Mural Arts.
2009
Mural Arts collaborates with internationally-renowned artist Steve Powers on A Love Letter For You, a series of more than 50 rooftop murals and street-level signs along the Market Street corridor in West Philadelphia.
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Mural Arts completes a new mural project, Legendary, by Amber Arts & Design featuring Tatyana Fazlalizadeh, that honors GRAMMY Award winners, The Roots.
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2014
Mural Arts celebrates 30 years of participatory public artmaking with an exhibition, events, and a special edition book.
Beyond the Paint2015
Open Source, the largest outdoor public art exhibition in Philadelphia, engages artists from across the globe, including JR, Shepard Fairey, SWOON, the Dufala Brothers, Sam Durant, and more.
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