Philadelphia Public Art @philart.net

Tour: Convention District

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The Convention District tour will take you past or through a number of landmarks around the Pennsylvania Convention Center: the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Chinatown, the African American Museum, Fashion District Philadelphia, Market East Station, Reading Terminal Market, SEPTA headquarters and St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. The tour starts on the East side of Broad, North of Arch, at the main entrance of the Pennsylvania Convention Center, then runs

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




Pretzel
BrownSprague, LLC, 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:
+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:
+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:
+wikipedia.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




Hemicycle Decorative Plaque
Alexander Kemp, 1877
* Representations of Fra Angelico, Antonello da Messina, Arnolfo di Cambio, Baccio Bandinelli, Fra Bartolommeo, Giovanni Bellini, Pierre Bontemps, Donato Bramante, Filippo Brunelleschi, Correggio, Benedetto da Maiano, Luca della Robbia, Domenichino, Donatello, Albrecht Durer, Lorenzo Ghiberti, Giorgione, Giotto, Jean Goujon, Holbein, Eustache Le Sueur, Leonardo da Vinci, Pierre Lescot, Masaccio, Michelangelo, Bartolome Esteban Murillo, Orcagna, Bernard Palissy, Andrea Palladio, Giovanni Pisano, Nicolas Poussin, Raphael, Rembrandt, Robert of Luzarches, Peter Paul Rubens, Titian, Anthony van Dyck, Jan van Eyck, Velasquez, Paolo Veronese and Peter Vischer
* groups of people, some standing, some sitting, hats, dogs
* Attribution and list of portrayed people are based on the Smithsonian catalog with corrected spellings and attempted disambiguations where reasonably obvious.
* Front wall. Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. West side of Broad, North of Arch.
* 39.955150,-75.163225 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Fra Angelico page
+wikipedia.org's Antonello da Messina page
+wikipedia.org's Arnolfo di Cambio page
+wikipedia.org's Baccio Bandinelli page
+wikipedia.org's Fra Bartolomeo page
+wikipedia.org's Giovanni Bellini page
+wikipedia.org's Pierre Bontemps page
+wikipedia.org's Donato Bramante page
+wikipedia.org's Filippo Brunelleschi page
+wikipedia.org's Correggio page
+wikipedia.org's Benedetto da Maiano page
+wikipedia.org's Luca della Robbia page
+wikipedia.org's Domenichino page
+wikipedia.org's Donatello page
+wikipedia.org's Albrecht Durer page
+wikipedia.org's Lorenzo Ghiberti page
+wikipedia.org's Giorgione page
+wikipedia.org's Giotto page
+wikipedia.org's Jean Goujon page
+wikipedia.org's Hans Holbein the Elder page
+wikipedia.org's Hans Holbein the Younger page
+wikipedia.org's Eustache Le Sueur page
+wikipedia.org's Leonardo da Vinci page
+wikipedia.org's Pierre Lescot page
+wikipedia.org's Masaccio page
+wikipedia.org's Michelangelo page
+wikipedia.org's Bartolome Esteban Murillo page
+wikipedia.org's Orcagna page
+wikipedia.org's Bernard Palissy page
+wikipedia.org's Andrea Palladio page
+wikipedia.org's Giovanni Pisano page
+wikipedia.org's Nicolas Poussin page
+wikipedia.org's Raphael page
+wikipedia.org's Rembrandt page
+wikipedia.org's Robert of Luzarches page
+wikipedia.org's Peter Paul Rubens page
+wikipedia.org's Titian page
+wikipedia.org's Anthony van Dyck page
+wikipedia.org's Jan van Eyck page
+wikipedia.org's Velasquez page
+wikipedia.org's Paolo Veronese page
+wikipedia.org's Peter Vischer page
+The Project Gutenberg eBook, Peter Vischer




Liberty Title Building Dragons
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




Elk Head
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




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)
* lion heads
* North Wall. Reading Terminal Market. South side of Arch between 11th and 12th.
* 39.953850,-75.159375 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Unidentified




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




China Gate
Sabrina Soong, 1984
* big arch
* Spanning 10th Street, North of Arch.
* 39.953700,-75.156250 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+legacy.com's Sabrina Soong obituary




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




Gate
* symbol
* Gate. Southeast corner, 10th and Spring.
* 39.955925,-75.155650 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Unidentified




Chinatown Sound Barrier
1991
* symbol and text
* Wall. South side of Vine at 10th.
* 39.956725,-75.155750 [map] [nearby]




Foo Dogs
2011
* lions
* Bridge over I-676. West side of 10th at Vine.
* 39.957000,-75.155700 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+wikipedia.org Chinese Guardian Lions page




Lin Zexu Memorial Statue
2012 (installed)
* Statue of Lin Zexu
* standing person, hat, telescope, sword
* inscription:
Summary
Lin Zexu (1785-1850) was a Chinese scholar and official during the late Qing dynasty. He is most famous for his fight against opium smuggling in Guangzhou, China. In 1838, Lin was sent to Guanadong to halt the importation of opium by the British. He confiscated more than 20,000 chests of opium and supervised its destruction during a 23-day campaign beginning on June 3, 1839 in Humen China. This action is usually considered to be the primary catalyst for the first Opium War (1839-1842) between Britain and China. In recognition of his valiant fight against narcotics and British invasion, Lin is highly respected in the history of China as national hero.
* Bridge over I-676. West side of 10th at Vine.
* 39.956900,-75.155750 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: War
* See also:
+wikipedia.org Lin Zexu page




Saint Francis of Assisi
* Statue of Saint Francis of Assisi
* small standing person, bird
* In front of Holy Redeemer Chinese Catholic Church. Northeast corner, 10th and Vine.
* 39.957310,-75.155325 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Religious, Unidentified
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Francis of Assisi page




Jesus
2014 (installed, based on June 2014 Street View)
* Statue of Jesus
* standing person
* inscription:
In loving memory of
Joseph James Moy
1924-1963
* On top of the South wall. Holy Redeemer Chinese Catholic Church. North side of Vine, West of 9th.
* 39.957215,-75.154300 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Religious, Unidentified
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Jesus page




Chinatown Zodiac Medallions
Andrews Lefevre Studios, 2012
* symbols, rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep (ram), monkey, rooster, dog, pig
* Sidewalks. North side of Vine, East of 9th. The small medallions are arranged along Vine between 9th and 10th and along 10th North and South of Vine.
* 39.957170,-75.153823 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+artist's article about this piece
+andrewslefevre.wordpress.com




Tree of Life
Gerd Utescher, 1977
* abstract tree
* Entrance. West side of 8th Street, South of Race.
* 39.954700,-75.153040 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+askart.com's Gerd Utescher page




Odyssey
Tony Rosenthal, 1983
* disks
* Northeast corner, 8th and Race.
* 39.955225,-75.152375 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Tony Rosenthal page




American Song
Eric Parks, 1988
* sitting person, flute
* Parking lot, East side of 7th between Arch and Race.
* 39.954160,-75.150810 [map] [nearby]




Balance
Jill Sablosky, 2009
* abstract furniture forms, steles, ideas
* inscription:
E Pluribus Unum
Out of Many One
* Northwest corner, 7th and Appletree.
* 39.953550,-75.151600 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+jillsablosky.com




Nesaika
John Rhoden, 1976
* abstract standing person
* Outside the African American Museum. Northwest corner, 7th and Arch.
* 39.953250,-75.151600 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Black Lives
* See also:
+nytimes.com John Rhoden obituary




The Whispering Bells of Freedom
Reginald Beauchamp, 1976
* Memorial to Crispus Attucks
* bells, buildings, people standing, prone, weapons, hats, dog
* inscription:
The whispering bells of freedom in honor of Crispus Attucks
Who on March 5, 1770 was killed by British troops in Boston while protesting conditions under the crown.
These whispers of freedom grew into the crescendo of the Declaration of Independence and the first ringing of the Liberty Bell in Independence Hall.
* Outside the African American Museum. Northwest corner, 7th and Arch.
* 39.953125,-75.151650 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: War, Black Lives
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Reginald Beauchamp page
+wikipedia.org's Crispus Attucks page




United States Mint Historical Plaque
1992
* small buildings, standing people, sitting people, cart, horses, plants, flags, clouds
* inscription:
On this site stood The First United States Mint
First Public Building Authorized by the United States Government
This plaque dedicated for the bicentennial of the U.S. Mint 1792-1992
First Mint 1792-1833 7th Street between Market and Arch
Second Mint 1833-1901 Juniper and Chestnut Sts.
Third Mint 1901-1969 16th and Spring Garden Sts.
Fourth Mint 1969 - 5th and Arch Sts.
* Wall. East side of 7th between Market and Arch.
* 39.952240,-75.151550 [map] [nearby]




Parkade on 8th
WRT, 2015
* big abstract colored forms, lights
* Parking garage. South side of Arch, spanning 8th.
* 39.953065,-75.153100 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+wrtdesign.com page for this piece
+wrtdesign.com




Dragons
Ward Elicker, 2009
* big dragons
* On top of the parking lot wall. North side of Arch, East of 9th.
* 39.953375,-75.154100 [map] [nearby]




Goniochome
Softlab, 2019
* big collection of abstract colored aluminum fins
* inscription:
Based on the concept of iridescence, this piece was uniquely designed for the main entrance of Fashion District. One of the most well-known examples of this magical light effect is Antoni Gaudi's Casa Batllo tiled roof. "Just as the scales of a fish absorb different wavelengths of light to produce a shimmering effect, our piece uses a series of aluminum fins at varying color and reflectivity to produce a large lenticular surface that changes depending on the angle of view.
* Lobby. Fashion District Philadelphia. Northwest corner, 9th and Market.
* 39.951600,-75.155300 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+soft-lab.com




Commuter Tunnel Mural
David Beck, Verlin Miller, 1984
* big trees
* The mosaics run two full blocks on both sides of the station.
* 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




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:
+judypfaffstudio.com




Philbert
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:
+artist'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:
+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]




Riders
William Daniel Travis, 2012
* small people standing
* visible through the concourse walls
* Both platforms. 13th Street L Station. Underneath Market between 12th and 13th.
* 39.951950,-75.160700 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Mass Transit




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




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:
+robinfredenthal.com




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:
+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:
+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:
+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




St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church
1830
* 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.
* 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
+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]
* 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)

See Also

+Center City District
+wikipedia.org's 13th Street Station page
+aampmuseum.org
+paconvention.com
+fashiondistrictphiladelphia.com
+wikipedia.org's page for Fashion District Philadelphia
+hardrock.com's Philadelphia page
+holyredeemerccc.org
+wikipedia.org's Jefferson Station page
+pafa.org
+Reading Terminal Market
+romancatholichs.com
+stjohnsphilly.org