Philadelphia Public Art @philart.net

Tour: Manayunk

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This tour covers parts of the Schuylkill Trail, Main Street, and a little bit of East Falls. It's a long but pleasant walk and the starting point can be reached by bus or train from Center City. We start at the top of the Fountain Street Steps at Fountain and Umbria

walk down the steps to the trail
turn right (Northwest) on to the trail to Concrete Tree
head back Southeast on the trail under the Green Lane Bridge
up to Main Street on the East side of the bridge
across Main and slightly right to the firehouse
back to the trail and left to the small park at Conarroe
back to Main and right to Cotton
left on Cotton to Cresson
up the stairs into Pretzel Park
right at the top of the stairs
down the next set of stairs to Cresson and Roxbourough
down Roxborough to Main
right on Main back to Cotton
across Main and the trail and the bridge to Venice Island
through the Venice Island Parking lot
back to the bridge
across the bridge to the trail
right on the trail to Lock
left on Lock to Main
right on Main to Ridge
along Ridge to Schoolhouse

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]
* Exhibits: New, Mosaic
* See also:
+muralarts.org page for this piece
+bethclevenstine.com
+paulsantoleri.com

Concrete Tree
Paul Santoleri, 2016
* big plants, bird
* Wall. Schuylkill Trail, Northwest of Fountain between Umbria and Flat Rock.
* 40.032225,-75.234565 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+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]
* Exhibits: Mosaic
* See also:
+bethclevenstine.com

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]
* Exhibits: Unidentified, Mosaic

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]
* Exhibits: Mosaic
* See also:
+paulsantoleri.com

Main Street Fire Station Lion Heads
John Molitor (Architect), 1928
* small anthropomorphic lion heads
* Front wall. Engine Company 12. North side of Main, East of Green.
* 40.026720,-75.226475 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Police and Fire Fighters, Gargoyles
* See also:
+philadelphiabuilding.org's entry for the building
+philadelphiabuildings.org's John Molitor page

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]
* Exhibits: Mosaic

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]
* Exhibits: Mosaic

Pefelice
William E. Lowenberg, 1990
* abstract form
* South side of Main between Gay and Conarroe.
* 40.026050,-75.225425 [map] [nearby]

Pretzel
Warren C. Holzman, 2004
* big pretzel sign
* South side of Pretzel Park. Silverwood and Cotton.
* 40.025650,-75.221325 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+ironstudioltd.com

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

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]
* See also:
+mnagase.com

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]
* Exhibits: Mosaic
* See also:
+dianepieri.com

Pinky
Frederick Prescott, 2021
* big flamingo
* Chloe's Corner. West corner, Main and Lock.
* 40.023380,-75.219995 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: New
* See also:
+phillyvoice.com article about this piece
+prescottstudio.com

Road Race (Aluminum Bikes)
Artesano Iron Works, 2021
* bicycles, bicyclists
* Wall. Southwest side of Shurs, Northeast of Main.
* 40.022275,-75.218080 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: New
* See also:
+artesanoironworks.com

Golazo
Baily Cypress, 2010 - 2012
* ideas and logos
* inscription: Soccer for social change. Leadership beyond the game.
* Wall. Starfinder Foundation. 4015 Main Street. Northeast side of Main, Southeast of Shurs Lane.
* 40.021225,-75.216890 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Athletic
* See also:
+Baily Cypress on facebook.com

Welcome to Main Street Manayunk Sign
Venturi, Scott Brown (and Rauch), 2002
* idea sign
* At the time this piece was installed the firm was named Venturi, Scott Brown and Associates
* Main at Ridge.
* 40.015615,-75.209110 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Robert Venturi page
+wikipedia.org's Denise Scott Brown page

Smashing Barriers
Steve Tobin, 2006 (approximate)
* Unlabeled tribute to Arthur Ashe
* big abstract partial tennis ball and racquet
* This complex was originally named the Arthur Ashe Tennis Center.
* Courtyard. Legacy Youth Tennis. South of Ridge at Schoolhouse.
* 40.012660,-75.202720 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Athletic, Black Lives
* See also:
+stevetobin.com
+wikipedia.org's Arthur Ashe page

Tour: Manayunk

See Also