Philadelphia Public Art @philart.net

Tour: Convention Center

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The Convention Center Tour will take you into and around the Convention Center, from Broad to 11th and from just North of Vine to just North of Chestnut. It starts on the East side of Broad, North of Arch, at the main entrance of the Pennsylvania Convention Center, then runs

North on Broad across Vine
slightly East on Vine
back West across Broad
South on Broad to Arch
East on Arch to 13th
South on 13th to Cuthbert
East on Cuthbert to 12th
North on 12th to Arch
East on Arch to 11th
South on 11th to Filbert
down into Market East station
Up to the Headhouse entrance
out to the curb on Market and than back inside again
up in to the Headhouse on the escalators to the second floor to see cirque, CIRQUE
back down to the first floor
North through the hallway on the first floor to Reading Terminal Market (you may need to go back down through Market East Station)
across Filbert in to Reading Terminal Market to see Philbert
out the West side of the Market to 12th
South on 12th across Filbert
West across 12th to the Southwest corner
South on 12th across Market
West on the South side of Market to 1234
In to 1234 Market and down the escalator to the museum on the concourse level
Out into the concourse and then back in to the exit stairs and up to 13th
South on the East side of 13th half a block to Ludlow
East on Ludlow half a block and back
South on 13th across Clover

Pennsylvania Convention Center Lights
The Lighting Practice, 2011
* big abstract lights
* Only visible after dark. The color and pattern are programmable
* Main entrance. Convention Center. East side of Broad between Arch and Race.
* 39.955325,-75.162740 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+artist's page for this piece
+thelightingpractice.com

The Pretzel
Peter Everett Brown, 2014
* big abstract pretzel
* Bike rack. West side of the Convention Center. East side of Broad between Arch and Race.
* 39.955175,-75.162850 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+artist's page for this piece
+Peter Everett Brown's page on behance.net
+brownsprague.com

Our Lady of Grace
George M. Kelly
* Statue of Mary
* standing person, halo, head covering
* Accessible when the school is open. Clearly visible when the gate is closed.
* inscription: by George M. Kelly S.C. / Class of 1970
* South entrance. Roman Catholic High School. North side of Vine, East of Broad.
* 39.958110,-75.161770 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Religious
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Mary, mother of Jesus page

Dr. Beukenkamp
T.J. Dixon, James Nelson, 1998
* statue of Cornelius F.J. Beukenkamp Jr.
* small sitting person, bench
* visible through the fence
* Broad and Vine, Northwest corner.
* 39.958225,-75.162600 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+lagunahillsca.gov T.J. Dixon and James Nelson page
+NY State Department of Health 1994 License Surrender Record for Cornelius Beukenkamp

Paint Torch
Claes Oldenburg, 2011
* big paintbrush, torch
* lights up at night
* Plaza. Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. West side of Broad, North of Arch.
* 39.955350,-75.163200 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+publicartarchive.org's page for this piece
+wikipedia.org's Claes Oldenburg page
+publicartarchive.org's Claes Oldenburg page

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts Stonework
Frank Furness (Architect), 1876
* plants
* Front and side walls. Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. West side of Broad, North of Arch.
* 39.955300,-75.163175 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Favorites
* See also:
+philadelphiabuilding.org entry for the building
+wikipedia.org's Frank Furness page

Liberty Title Building Dragons
Savery and Scheetz (Architects), 1929
* small dragons
* Entrance. South side of the Aloft Hotel. North side of Arch, East of Broad.
* 39.954465,-75.162790 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's entry for the building
+philadelphiabuildings.org's Savery and Scheetz page

Elk Head
Francis G. Caldwell (Architect), Edward Paul Simon (Architect), 1904
* elk head
* Wall. South side of Arch, between 13th and Juniper.
* 39.954120,-75.161625 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org entry for the building
+philadelphiabuildings.org's Francis G. Caldwell page
+philadelphiabuildings.org's Edward Paul Simon page

Contrafuerte
Miguel Horn, 2021
* big people, hunched and sitting
* Bridge across the alley. Cuthbert, West of 12th.
* 39.953440,-75.160185 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+artist's page for this piece
+miguelhorn.art

Lions (Reading Terminal)
Francis Hatch Kimball (Architect), 1893
* lion heads
* North Wall. Reading Terminal Market. Southeast corner, 12th and Arch.
* 39.953850,-75.159375 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's page for the building
+philadelphiabuildings.org's Francis Hatch Kimball page

Reading Terminal Market Signs
2012 (approximate)
* small signs: flowers, food, flatware on a plate, fish, cow, chicken
* West and North walls. Reading Terminal Market. South side of Arch East of 12th and East side of 12th between Arch and Filbert.
* 39.953600,-75.159450 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Unidentified Artists

Commuter Tunnel Mural
David Beck (Architect), Verlin Miller, 1984
* big trees
* The mosaics run two full blocks on both sides of the station. Unfortunately you can no longer get down on to the platform without a fare instrument, but you can see them through the glass on the concourse level.
* Tunnel walls. Jefferson Station. Underground. Between Market and Filbert from 10th to 12th..
* 39.952500,-75.158150 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Mosaic, Mass Transit
* See also:
+picture from flickr.com
+whyy.org article about Shirt Corner Plus mentioning David Beck
+nytimes.com article about Philadelphia alleys quoting David Beck

Bike Terminal
Nathaniel Ross, 2014
* small abstract representation of the Reading Terminal train shed
* Bike rack. In front of the Reading Terminal Headhouse. Convention Center. North side of Market, East of 12th.
* 39.951910,-75.159190 [map] [nearby]

Convention Center Logo
1993
* abstract logo
* Based on the original logo of the Convention Center, which was supposed to evoke the train shed.
* Sidewalk. In front of the Reading Terminal Headhouse. Convention Center. North side of Market, East of 12th.
* 39.951965,-75.159311 [map] [nearby]

cirque, CIRQUE
Judy Pfaff, 1993
* big abstract forms
* Unless you're there for an event, you'll have to look at it through the entrance
* On the ceiling. Ballroom of the Convention Center. Inside Reading Terminal Headhouse, North side of Market between 11th and 12th, at the top of the escalator (top floor).
* 39.952800,-75.159050 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+artist's page for this piece
+judypfaffstudio.com

Philbert the Pig
Eric Berg, Victoria Davila, 1995
* pig, food (painted tiles)
* The market is not always open. Check hours before visiting.
* inscription:
By feeding Philbert you will help improve the health of people in needy communities by providing fresh, nutritious food and nutrition education. Philbert is sponsored by CoreStates Bank for the benefit of the Reading Terminal Market Trust
* Inside. Reading Terminal Market. Southeast corner, 12th and Arch.
* 39.953400,-75.159025 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Mosaic
* See also:
+bergbronze.com's page for this piece
+bergbronze.com
+victoriadavila.com

World Park
Ned Smyth, 1995
* abstract architectural elements, globe
* This piece is listed elsewhere as "World Park: Orders and Perspectives". The shorter title is from the artist's web site.
* Plaza. Southwest corner, 12th and Filbert.
* 39.952800,-75.159875 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+associationforpublicart.org's page for this piece
+nedsmyth.com

Hard Rock Cafe Guitar
1998
* big guitar sign
* Above the entrance. Hard Rock Cafe. Northeast corner, 12th and Market.
* 39.952075,-75.159750 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Unidentified Artists

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]
* See also:
+associationforpublicart.org's page for this piece, Ice, and Fire
+robinfredenthal.com

PTC Trolley No. 2733
St. Louis Car Company, 1947
* big actual trolley
* Accessible from the concourse when the building is open, visible through the glass when it isn't.
* Interior. Concourse level. 1234 Market. South side of Market between 12th and 13th.
* 39.951850,-75.160850 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Mass Transit
* See also:
+youtube video walk around of this piece
+wikipedia.org's PCC streatcar page
+wikipedia.org's St. Louis Car Company page

PTC Bus No. 1312
ACF-Brill Motors Co., 1949
* front of an actual bus
* The original was a 1948 model C-44. This is a reconstruction from a donated 1949 model C-36. Accessible from the concourse when the building is open, visible through the glass when it isn't.
* Interior. Concourse level. 1234 Market. South side of Market between 12th and 13th.
* 39.951800,-75.160825 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Mass Transit
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's J.G. Brill Company page

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]
* See also:
+associationforpublicart.org's page for this piece, Water,and Fire
+robinfredenthal.com

Fire
Robinson Fredenthal, 1973
* abstract fire
* Plaza. Behind 1234 Market. North side of Ludlow, East of 13th.
* 39.951385,-75.160700 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+associationforpublicart.org's page for this piece, Water, and Ice
+robinfredenthal.com

Finding Home
Kathryn Pannepacker, Josh Sarantitis, 2011
* big idea, hands and partial standing people, loom, headgear
* inscription: in visible dignity
* Wall. North side of Ludlow across from St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. East side of 13th between Chestnut and Market.
* 39.951450,-75.161275 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+publicartarchive.org's page for this piece
+publicartarchive.org's Kathryn Pannepacker page
+joshsarantitis.com

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]
* 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

Mary
* statue of Mary
* small standing person, head covered, rosary
* North side of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. East side of 13th between Chestnut and Market.
* 39.951300,-75.161275 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Religious
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Mary, mother of Jesus page

St. John's Fire Memorial
2011
* In memory of William Chance, Hugh Duffy, James Shea and George Steinle
* Philadelphia Fire Department insignia
* inscription:
Hoseman George Steinle
Died in the line of duty protecting the citizens of Philadelphia on February 17, 1899
Hoseman William Chance
Died in the line of duty protecting the citizens of Philadelphia on February 17, 1899
Hoseman Hugh Duffy
Died in the line of duty protecting the citizens of Philadelphia on February 17, 1899
Hoseman James Shea
Died in the line of duty protecting the citizens of Philadelphia on March 2, 1899
* Sidewalk. In front of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. East side of 13th between Chestnut and Market.
* 39.951375,-75.161500 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Police and Fire Fighters
* See also:
+extensive post about this fire and the death of the memorialized firefighters at facebook.com

St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church
Frank Rushmore Watson (Architect), 1902
* Statues of Saint John, Saint Luke, Saint Mark and Saint Matthew
* small standing people, books and scrolls
* The four evangelists are displayed here top to bottom (left to right facing the church) in canonical (reverse alphabetical) order. As the original building burned down in 1899, I am assuming the art dates from the 1902 building.
* Entrance pillars. St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. East side of 13th between Chestnut and Market.
* 39.951275,-75.161510 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Religious
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org entry for the building
+philadelphiabuildings.org Frank Rushmore Watson page
+wikipedia.org's John the Evangelist page
+wikipedia.org's Luke the Evangelist page
+wikipedia.org's Mark the Evangelist page
+wikipedia.org's Matthew the Apostle page

Hairdressing Sign
1887
* sign
* inscription: Ladies' and Children's Hair Dressing
* Second floor bay. East side of 13th, North of Chestnut.
* 39.950945,-75.161585 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Unidentified Artists
* See also:
+hiddencityphila.org article about this sign

Possible trip extension:City Hall (back to Market, West 1 block to Juniper, South and West around the outside of Penn Square across Broad)
Possible trip extension:Gayborhood (in reverse: South to Chestnut, West to Juniper)

Tour: Convention Center

See Also