Philadelphia Public Art @philart.net

Content: Water

Ice
Robinson Fredenthal, 1973
* abstract frozen water
* Usually open, visible through the window when not
* In the concourse stairwell. 1234 Market. Southeast corner 13th and Market.
* 39.951900,-75.161300 [map] [nearby]
* On the Convention District tour
* See also:
+robinfredenthal.com
+emporis.com's 1234 Market page

Water
Robinson Fredenthal, 1973
* big abstract water
* Usually open, visible through the window when not
* In the lobby. 1234 Market. South side of Market, East of 13th.
* 39.951800,-75.160700 [map] [nearby]
* On the Convention District tour
* See also:
+robinfredenthal.com
+emporis.com's 1234 Market page

Marquee
Aaron Igler, Matthew Suib, Richard Torchia, 2011
* LED representation of water
* inscription: Light Emitting diodes (LEDs) displaying live-feed video of the surface of the Delaware River sourced from a camera pointed east. Never the same twice, the real-time images of the Delaware River streaming overhead shift constantly according to weather and lighting conditions, as well as boating patterns and river wildlife. Drawing attention toward the waterfront these images also encourage viewers to reimagine the cascading noise of overpass traffic as the sound of waves. By reciprocating the gesture made by the Race Street Pier, an urban park that brings the city to the river, Marquee brings the river to the city.
* West side of the I-95 overpass. Race, East of 2nd.
* 39.953750,-75.141600 [map] [nearby]
* On the Penn's Landing tour
* See also:
+greenhousemedia.com (Aaron Igler and Matthew Suib)
+arcadia.edu Richard Torchia page

River of Life
Masayuki Nagase, 2014
* big and small water, rocks, furniture, birds, fish, insects, plants, turtle
* inscription:
plaque: Hand carved granite benches, sculptural boulders, and engraved tile pavers and medallions depicting images of local flora, fauna, and water patterns. An original artwork commissioned by The City of Philadelphia Percent for Art Program and The Philadelphia Water Department
rock: Venice Island is the legacy of 19th century urbanization. In 1819 a three mile sliver of schist was sliced away from Manayunk by a narrow canal that supplied the textile mills on the Island. Today, this site location led the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) to install a subsurface Combined Sewer Overflow Tank. This tank holds nearly 1 million gallons of a mixture of sewage and storm water during rain events, preventing untreated wastewater from flowing into the Schuylkill River.
To enable the use of the island for this essential river protection project, PWD committed to a full scale reconstruction of the Venice Island's recreation facilities. PWD worked with its sister city agencies and the neighborhood in the master planning process. This site uses the best in sustainable storm water management, ecological design and restoration to provide a much needed public place in the heart of Manayunk that addresses multiple needs - recreation, environmental protection, commerce and open space.
The revitalized space reflects the Island's industrial heritage, local building techniques and the vibrant natural history along the Schuylkill River, all the while meeting the rigorous challenges of creating a safe city park in the floodway. This park resides at the intersection of nature and city, striving to bring both closer.
* Multi-level plaza. Venice Island. Across the canal off Main and Cotton.
* 40.023810,-75.222675 [map] [nearby]
* On the Manayunk tour
* See also:
+mnagase.com
+veniceisland.org

Water Under the Bridge
Beth Clevenstine, Paul Santoleri, 2015
* big water, fish, plants, turtles, butterfly
* The deer was just hanging out next to the walkway as I was taking pictures.
* Walkway stairs and walls. Fountain Street Steps. Between the South side of Umbria at Fountain Street and the Manayunk Canal.
* 40.032100,-75.233100 [map] [nearby]
* On the Manayunk tour
* Exhibits: New, Mosaic
* See also:
+muralarts.org page for this piece
+bethclevenstine.com
+paulsantoleri.com

Coinciding Currents
Beth Clevenstine, 2016
* water, fish, plants, turtles, earth
* Wall. Schuylkill River Trail, Southeast of Leverington. Due South of Main and Leverington.
* 40.028805,-75.230250 [map] [nearby]
* On the Manayunk tour
* Exhibits: Mosaic
* See also:
+bethclevenstine.com

Regarding the Delaware
Carin Mincemoyer, 2022
* abstract images of water
* Lederer Pool fence. Fishtown Recreation Center. East and South of E. Montgomery and Moyer.
* 39.972220,-75.127475 [map] [nearby]
* On the Kensington tour
* Exhibits: New
* See also:
+artist's page for this piece
+carinmincemoyer.com
+Fishtown Recreation facebook page

I-95 Sound Barrier Reliefs
* abstract ship, water, standing mummer, headgear, buildings
* Wall. East side of Front at Morris.
* 39.926400,-75.147200 [map] [nearby]
* On the South Philly tour
* Exhibits: Unidentified

Canal Bridge Mosaic
2009
* bridge, water, hand prints
* The title is unofficial. According to the inscriptions, which are mostly unreadable, this was a collaboration between the 2009 North Light Summer Camp, the EPA and the Manayunk Development Corporation. What is left of the artist attribution is in the second picture. I have been unable to determine their names with any certainty. Any information would be appreciated.
* Wall. Schuylkill River Trail between Green Lane and Leverington.
* 40.027590,-75.228610 [map] [nearby]
* On the Manayunk tour
* Exhibits: Unidentified, Mosaic

Mather and Company Medallions
1917 (year of building expansion)
* kneeling people, boats, water, plants
* South side of Walnut, East of 3rd.
* 39.946975,-75.145850 [map] [nearby]
* On the Society Hill tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org entry for the building

John B. Kelly
Harry Rosin, 1965
* Statue of John B. Kelly
* seated person, boat, water
* This is the father of the Kelly for whom the drive was named
* inscription: Olympic Champion Singles 1920, Doubles 1920, Doubles 1924
* North end of the Schuylkill Grandstand. River side of Kelly Drive.
* 39.986050,-75.201800 [map] [nearby]
* On the Kelly Drive tour
* Exhibits: Athletic
* See also:
+michenermuseum.org's Harry Rosin page
+wikipedia.org's Jack Kelly page

Spring Garden Street - West River Drive Bridges
1965 (year of current bridge)
* small bridges and other buildings, trees, water
* inscription:
- The Collossus -
Wooden covered bridge - span 540 feet
Longest arch bridge in the world
Opened to traffic - April 28, 1813
Destroyed by fire - September 1, 1838
Replaced by wire bridge in 1842
- Wire Bridge -
Wire cable suspension bridge - span 357 feet
First cable suspension bridge for vehicles in America
Opened to traffic - January 2, 1842
Replaced by Spring Garden Bridge in 1875
- Spring Garden Bridge -
Double deck truss bridge - span 355 feet
Spring Garden Street - upper deck
Callowhill Street - lower deck
Opened to traffic - July 10, 1875
Replaced by the present structures
* Bridge wall. Center City end, Art Museum side of the Spring Garden Bridge.
* 39.964550,-75.182500 [map] [nearby]
* On the Art Museum Grounds tour

Chinatown YMCA Dragons
1971
* small dragons, plants, water
* Wall. East side of 10th, South of Cherry.
* 39.954235,-75.156075 [map] [nearby]
* On the Convention District tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org entry for the building

Race Street Connector
James Corner Field Operations, 2011
* big idea sign, measurements of water
* "CITY" is on the East side, pointing West and "RIVER" is on the West side, pointing East.
* inscription:
This dramatic light screen, made of expanded metal with bold signage and color-shifting night lighting, unifies the corridor underneath the expressways and draws people to the waterfront. The smaller characters graphically register the historic flooding events of the Delaware River by month, year and peak height as recorded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration at the Race Street Pier (Pier 11). The resulting timeline visually reinforces the dynamic conntection between the city and the river.
* Under the 1-95 overpass. South side of Race, East of 2nd.
* 39.953670,-75.140950 [map] [nearby]
* On the Penn's Landing tour
* See also:
+fieldoperations.net

Tulpehanink nta
Paul Santoleri, 2020
* big turtle, flowers, water, fish
* Bridge. Cotton Street South of Main.
* 40.024650,-75.223065 [map] [nearby]
* On the Manayunk tour
* Exhibits: New, Mosaic
* See also:
+paulsantoleri.com

Birds of Fairmount Park
Josey Stamm, 2001
* birds, plants, sun, water
* inscription: Created by NetworkArts artist Josey Stamm and students from Gesu School who participated in NetworkArts' Saturday Environmental Program 2001. This mosaic contains 83 bird species found in Fairmount Park. Made by the seventh and eighth grade students. A second mosaic on the animals of Fairmount Park is on the rear facade of this building. Special thanks to Earl Stamm.
* Wall. South side of Main at Conarro.
* 40.026135,-75.225665 [map] [nearby]
* On the Manayunk tour
* Exhibits: Mosaic
* See also:
+NetworkArts

Manayunk Stoops: Heart and Home
Diane Pieri, 2006
* stoops, fish, turtles, water, plants, abstract textile patterns, mill wheels
* Five locations along the Schuylkill River Trail between Cotton and Lock.
* 40.023820,-75.221710 [map] [nearby]
* On the Manayunk tour
* Exhibits: Mosaic
* See also:
+dianepieri.com

Waters of Change
Paul Santoleri, 2013
* big abstract helix pattern, fish, plants, water
* Pictures are from West to East
* Walls. Under and around the Green Lane Bridge. South of Main Street at Green Lane.
* 40.026850,-75.227400 [map] [nearby]
* On the Manayunk tour
* Exhibits: Mosaic
* See also:
+paulsantoleri.com
+wikipedia.org's Green Lane Bridge page

Fence
Greg Leavitt
* standing people, sitting person, partial person, sports and playground equipment, water
* Fence. Cohocksink Recreation Center. Southeast side of Cedar St. at East Cambria.
* 39.984300,-75.112775 [map] [nearby]
* On the Kensington tour
* See also:
+gregleavitt.com

Old St. Mary's Bench
* small standing people, sitting and kneeling people, sports equipment, tools, water, plants, horse, horn, fish, umbrella, hats
* Medallions are set into the curved brick back of the bench.
* Just South of Old St. Mary's. West side of 4th, South of Locust.
* 39.945375,-75.148475 [map] [nearby]
* On the Society Hill tour
* Exhibits: Athletic, Unidentified, Black Lives
* See also:
+oldstmary.com
+wikipedia.org's St. Mary's page

Cresheim Valley Pergola
1909 (restored 2005)
* small turtle, fish, two coats of arms, mill with waterwheel, water, trees
* The reliefs pictured here can be seen on the floor of the pergola in the first picture in front of the benches
* inscription:
marble plaque (badly faded):
This valley was named Krisheim by the Germans of the Rhine who bought the land from William Penn in 1687 and called it after their native village
Germantown Road follows the old Indian trail
The battle of Germantown began a little South of this green October 4, 1777
metal plaque:
February 23, 2005
This pergola and water trough have been refurbished by
The Chestnut Hill Rotary Club to honor 100 years of service by Rotary Clubs
in this country and in the world.
This renewed monument marks an entrance to Fairmount Park as it did when it was originally dedicated in 1909.
This pergola, the bridge and the Cresheim Trail serve as a symbol of the partnership between the communites of Chestnut Hill and Mount Airy
* Pergola. Southwest corner Germantown and Cresheim Valley.
* 40.066450,-75.196500 [map] [nearby]
* On the Germantown Avenue tour

Transportation
Charles Parks, 1969
* small horse, dolphin, bird, ship, water, airplane
* The whole area is fenced in, and the two separate columns are barely visible through the fence behind a sign and parked cars.
* West side of the traffic circle at the end of Norwitch Drive, North of 67th.
* 39.915675,-75.223425 [map] [nearby]
* On the Southwest Philly tour
* See also:
+ wikipedia.org's Charles Parks page

Women Washing
Dexter Jones, 1968
* three people, one standing, two kneeling, plants, basket, water
* Wall. Lindbergh, Northeast of 58th.
* 39.928310,-75.218950 [map] [nearby]
* On the Southwest Philly tour
* Exhibits: Labor

Columbus Monument
Emanuele Caroni, 1876 (renovated 1982)
* Monument to (and statue of) Christopher Columbus
* standing person, globe, sword, anchors, eagle, ship, sitting people, water, flag
* This piece has been in and out of a large box as the courts decide whether the city can remove it or not. If and when the city is able to remove it, it will be marked as missing. Artist is listed as "possible."
* inscription:
Presented to the city of Philadelphia by the Italian citizens
In commemoration of the first centenary American Independence 1876
* Marconi Plaza. West side of Broad, South of Oregon.
* 39.915550,-75.172100 [map] [nearby]
* On the South Broad tour
* See also:
+Max Buten's picture of this piece
+phillyhistory.org 1959 picture of this piece
+wikipedia.org's Christopher Columbus page
+wikipedia.org's Marconi Plaza page

The Tableau
1986
* Representations of Adam, David, Eve, Isaiah and The Magi
* groups of people, standing people, furniture, sitting people, headgear, staffs, crutch, tools, Earth, sun, moon, planets, stars, water, buildings, plants, lion, lamb, food, serpent, symbols
* Includes a representation of the City Hall William Penn
* inscription: A series of 8 Sculptured Murals commissioned by Monsigner Charles V. Devlin, PA, in 1986.
The first half of the tableau tells a story via excerpts from biblical history from the creation of the world to the birth of Jesus Christ:
I. Creation
II. Expulsion from the Garden of Eden
III. The Prophet Isaiah prophesying the Messiah
IV. King David
V. The Three Wisemen of the Epiphnany
The second half depicts the mission of St. John the Evangelist Church and how we can all continue the mystery of God's love by caring for the needs of:
VI. The sick
VII. The homeless and needy
VIII. The imprisoned
"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was naked and you clothed me, ...I was ill and you comforted me, in prison and you came to visit me."
* North side of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. East side of 13th between Chestnut and Market.
* 39.951300,-75.161300 [map] [nearby]
* On the Convention District tour
* Exhibits: Religious
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Adam page
+wikipedia.org's David page
+wikipedia.org's Eve page
+wikipedia.org's Isaiah page
+wikipedia.org's Magi page
+stjohnsphilly.org

Recovering World
Lynn Denton, 2001 - 2002
* big furniture, seated people, headgear, people together, parts of people, sun and stars, globe, abstract shapes, musical instruments, boat, water, buildings, symbols
* An ArtWell project designed and built with help from the recovering addicts at New Jerusalem and local children.
* Partially on the wall. East side of New Jerusalem Now. Northwest corner, 20th and Norris.
* 39.984550,-75.166725 [map] [nearby]
* On the Temple Southwest tour
* Exhibits: Religious, Peace and Love, Mosaic
* See also:
+theartwell.org
+lynnbdenton.com
+newjerusalemnow.org

Meher
Khoren der Harootian, 1976
* Statue of Meher
* standing, sitting, and lying people, cross, human bones, helmets, weapons, buildings, mountains, plants, horses, vulture, water, sun
* inscription:
On this day, April 24, 1976, commemorating the 61st anniversary of the martyrdom of the Armenian nation and celebrating the bicentennial year of American independence, we Americans of Armenian heritage in eternal gratitude to God dedicate this monument to our adopted land of the United States.
Meher - A legendary figure of inspiring power symbolizing the invincible faith of the Armenian people, the first nation to embrace Christianity (301 AD).
Keeping Watch over the cultural heritage of Armenia.
Day of Infamy, April 24, 1915 the genocide and martyrdom of the Armenian Nation.
St. Vartan at the battle of Avarayr (451 AD). History's first defense of the Christian faith.
Mid the ashes of the martyrs, mother and child look to freedom for Armenia and all nations.
* South side of Kelly Drive, West of 25th.
* 39.966500,-75.179800 [map] [nearby]
* On the Art Museum Grounds tour
* Exhibits: Religious, War
* See also:
+derharootian.com

Tabernacle United Church Signs
Lynn Denton, 1999
* signs, religious symbols and imagery, boat, Earth, food, sitting and standing people, birds, plants, musical instruments, sheep, hands, water
* tiles painted by the congregation
* Tabernacle United Church. Southwest corner, 37th and Chestnut.
* 39.954800,-75.196650 [map] [nearby]
* On the Chestnut 29th to 40th tour
* Exhibits: Religious, Peace and Love, Mosaic
* See also:
+lynnbdenton.com
+tabunited.org

Animals of Fairmount Park
Josey Stamm, 2001
* deer, fish, fox, frog, racoon, rat, vole, skunk, snake, squirrel, turtle, plants, sun, bird, water
* content list only includes animals pictured here
* inscription:
This mosaic contains 50 mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and aquatic invertebrates found in Fairmount Park made by the 7th and 8th grade students. A second mosaic on the Birds of Fairmount Park is on the side facade of this building. Created by Network Arts Artist Josey Stamm and students from Gesu School who participated in NetworkArts Environmental Program 2001. Special thanks to Karl Stamm, Maggie Hobson.
* Wall. Schuylkill River Trail off Main and Conarroe.
* 40.026145,-75.225770 [map] [nearby]
* On the Manayunk tour
* Exhibits: Mosaic
* See also:
+NetworkArts