Several U.S. cities can point to their
collection of oversized street murals as major attractions for international
visitors, including Denver, Philadelphia and San Francisco.
Philadelphia is known as the 'Mural Capital of
the World' - and with good reason: the city now has more than 4,000 murals.
What started as an anti-graffiti programme in 1984, Mural Arts Philadelphia is
now the USA's largest public art programme and has grown into an international
leader.
Mural Arts Philadelphia is also part of a larger
campaign by the city to repurpose public spaces and create positive dialogue in
communities.
Residents are often involved in the development
of Philadelphia murals and visitors can see these colourful creations on guided
and self-guided tours provided by Mural Arts.
Mural Arts Philadelphia commissions up to 100
public art projects every year. In 2023, artists painted new murals in various
Philadelphia neighbourhoods including Kensington, Northern Liberties, and the
Gayborhood.
Among these new murals are 'Finally on 13th,'
honouring the city’s rich ballroom culture. 'Literacy Loop' is a 10,000 square
foot ground mural at Farrell Elementary School and designed to increase
literacy skills through playful learning.
Denver has two art districts: the Art District
on Santa Fe and the River North Art District (Rhino). The former is a small
area in the Lincoln Park neighbourhood where you can find murals, galleries,
and art shops.
The city's street artists have been busy
brightening the city's urban landscape for decades by making canvases of the
city's alleyways, building exteriors, warehouses, garage doors and storefronts.
And the city added almost 100 new pieces of
street art - both permanent and temporary - last summer.
Denver uses the term 'street art' fairly
broadly: many of the works were commissioned by businesses, events or
communities, while others were unsanctioned paintings or graffiti.
In California, San Francisco has long presented
itself as a stronghold of creativity and expression within the global street
art community.
Nestled amidst the eclectic neighbourhoods and
bustling streets of the city is a fascinating of colourful murals,
thought-provoking graffiti, and captivating street art installations. From the
colourful alleys of the Mission District (pictured) to the iconic walls of
Balmy Alley, 'San Fran's' diverse neighbourhoods serve as an ever-evolving
canvas for local and international artists alike.
Drag queen, party impresario, activist, and
philanthropist Juanita MORE! is one of San Francisco’s most renowned residents,
so much so that she’s been celebrated with over half a dozen different street
murals throughout the city.
Murals first appeared along Balmy Alley (between
24th and 25th streets and Treat and Harrison streets) in the mid-1980s as an
expression of outrage over human rights violations and political corruption in
Central America.
Today, the themes depicted have evolved to
include broader societal issues such as gentrification and government
injustice.
Posted by: Visit USA Association (UK) Ltd
Posted on: 02/05/2024