Philadelphia Public Art @philart.net

Tour: South Philly

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The South Philly Tour covers a large area and includes long stretches with no art at all, but the art is worth seeing, and the tour will take you through a section of the city you might not otherwise visit. SEPTA has good bus service throughout South Philly. You might want to consider using the bus for some of the longer artless stretches or do the whole thing by bicycle. We start on the Southwest corner of Broad and Tasker and then go

South on Broad across Passyunk and McKean
across Broad to the East side
Northeast on Passyunk to Mifflin
East on Mifflin to 10th
North on 10th to Morris
West on Morris to 11th
North on 11th to Passyunk
Northeast on Passyunk to Greenwich
East on Greenwich to 10th
North on 10th to Dickinson
West on Dickinson to Gerritt
Northwest on Gerritt to 12th
North on 12th to Ellsworth
East on Ellsworth to 10th
North on 10th to Kimball
West on Kimball to 12th
North on 12th to Fitzwater
East on Fitzwater across 8th into Cianfrani Park
South on 8th to Catherine
East on Catherine to 7th
South on 7th to Carpenter
East on Carpenter to Front
South on Front to Washington
East on Washington across Columbus
to the end of the Washington Avenue Pier
back across Columbus
West on Washington to 2nd
South on 2nd to Federal
West on Federal to Moyamensing
Southwest on Moyamensing to Morris
East on Morris to Front
South on Front to Pierce
West on Pierce half a block to where it intersects the curve of Moore
West on Moore to Moaymensing
Southwest on Mayamensing to Snyder
West on Snyder to 7th
South on 7th across Oregon
East on Oregon just East of 5th

My Dog Blue
Isaiah Zagar, 2012
* dog, face in profile, bird, unidentified creature, plants, abstract shapes, address, plate painted with a standing person, staff and hat
* Wall by the subway entrance. West side of Broad, South of Tasker.
* 39.930315,-75.168615 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+phillymagicgardens.org

Mother and Child (or See the Moon)
Evelyn Keyser, 1968 (Smithsonian says 1964)
* seated people
* Moved to the current location in 2017. Was in a plaza in front of the original Health Center where the new building now stands. Last picture is from the original location.
* In front of the South Philadelphia Community Health and Literacy Center. West side of Broad, South of Morris.
* 39.928975,-75.168875 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Moved
* See also:
+inquirer.com Evelyn Keyser obituary

PSFS Franklin Logo
George Howe (Architect), 1924
* relief bust of Benjamin Franklin
* big head, PSFS logo
* inscription:
PHILADELPHIA SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY
CRESCIT EUNDO
1706-1790
* Wall. Southeast corner, Broad, McKean, and Passyunk.
* 39.925460,-75.169250 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+philadelphiabuilding.org's entry for the building
+wikipedia.org's George Howe page
+ushistory.org's The Electric Ben Franklin

Joey Giardello
Carl Levotch, 2011
* statue of Joey Giardello
* standing people, boxing gloves, 3 panels of text
* There are 70 boxers listed on this piece, which exceeds my general guidelines for creating a new person entry. Individuals other than Giardello are listed in the inscription.
* inscription:
Joey Giardello was born Carmine Orlando Tilelli July 16, 1930 in Brooklyn, NY. He came to South Philly and started his 19-year Hall of Fame Boxing career in 1948. Giardello trained at the Passyunk Gym once located nearby at Passyunk and Moore and posted a professional record of 101-25-7 against the greatest boxers of his era. Giardello won the world middleweight championship in 1963 by defeating Dick Tiger.

Top 50 South Philly Boxers of Italian Ancestry
Teddy Baldwin, Carmen Bartolomeo, Joey Belfiore, Santa Bucca, Dan Bucceroni, Frakie Caris, Jimmy Carlini, Frankie Carto, Nunzio Carto, Tony Cocco, Bobby Dean, Vinnie Decarlo, Johnny Demarco, Eddie Dempsey, Mickey Diamond, Frankie Donato, Gus Dorazio, Joey Falco, Tony Falco, Paul Febbo, Nick Fiorentino, Joe Flocco, Vince Forgione, Johnny Forth, Tommy Forth, Joey Giardello, Eddie Giosa, Joe Grim, Tommy Howell, Eddie Lenny, Kid Locke, Johnny Marcelline, Ray Mitchell, Tony Morgano, Battling Murray, Frankie Murray, Tony Murray, Mike Rossman, Babe Ruth, Franke Sodano, Patsy Wallach, Dick Welsh, Billy Willis, Joe Wilton, Henry Kid Wolfe, Bobby Wolgast, Johnny Wolgast, Midget Wolgast

Landmark South Philly Boxing Venues
Municipal Stadium, Spectrum, National A.C., Olympia A.C. The Alhambra, Toppi Stadium, Broadway A.C., The Plaza, Shetzline Park, Mason Hall

Landmark South Philly Boxing Gyms
Philadelphia Boxing Club, Passyunk Gym, Juniper Gym, Southside Gym, Olympia Gym, Percy Street Gym, Augie's Gym Pen-Mar, Christian Street YMCA, Marian Anderson Rec Center

Twenty South Philly Boxing Legends
Matthew Saad Muhammad, Tommy Loughran, Jeff Chandler, Lew Tendler, Yiyi Erne, Tyrone Everett, Harry Lewis, Battling Levinsky, Al Trainor, Tim Witherspoon, Tim Callahan, Pal Moore, Eddie Kid Wagner, Billy Arnold, Buster Drayton, Harry Kid Brown, Johnny Carter, Danny Dougherty, Mike Evans, Philadelphia Jack O'Brien
* Center of the triangle bounded by 13th, Mifflin, and Passyunk.
* 39.926660,-75.167125 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Athletic
* See also:
+carllevotch.com
+wikipedia.org's Joey Giardello page

Sun Arc
Gary Weisman, 1991
* abstract figures, list of months
* visible through the fence
* Plaza. South side of East Passyunk Community Center. Northeast corner, 11th and Mifflin.
* 39.926175,-75.163700 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+garyweisman.net

Bishop Neumann and Southeast Catholic War Memorials
* Statue of Mary
* standing person, flowers, Army, Navy, and Marine insignia, eagle
* The stone lists students with graduation dates from 1955 to 1968
* inscription:
plaque top:
In memory of those who gave their lives
plaque bottom:
1941 World War II 1945
stone top:
In memory of those men who made the supreme sacrifice
Southeast Catholic, Bishop Neumann
stone bottom:
I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race.
I have kept the faith.
Timothy 4:7-8
* East side of Saints John Neumann and Maria Goretti Catholic High School. West side of 10th at Moore.
* 39.927150,-75.162200 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Religious, War
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Mary, mother of Jesus page

The Singing Fountain
* fountain, standing people (including a mermaid), bowl, musical instruments, birds, flowers
* In the middle of the triangle formed by 11th, Passyunk, and Tasker.
* 39.929900,-75.163210 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Unidentified

Thunderbolt Jackson
Isaiah Zagar, 2002
* abstract mosaic, partial people
* The artist lists this piece as "Thunderbolt Jackson" but the spelling in the piece itself is "Jaxon"
* Wall. Northeast corner 10th and Dickinson.
* 39.930850,-75.161175 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Mosaic
* See also:
+phillymagicgardens.org

Stack of Checkers
Charles Fahlen, 1983
* big checkers
* Building entrance overhang. Senior citizen center, West side of Passyunk North of Dickinson.
* 39.931300,-75.162250 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+charlesfahlen.com

Phoenix Above Maltese Cross
Sarala Ruth Pinto, 1962
* phoenix, maltese cross
* Wall. East side of 12th North of Reed.
* 39.932600,-75.163885 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Police and Fire Fighters

St. Maron Church Cross and Mosaics
1902 (year of building)
* symbol and mosaics of Jesus and Mary
* three bar cross, standing person, held child, headgear, ship, buildings, clouds, plants, candle
* The upper mosaic says 1997 at the bottom
* Front wall and entrance. Saint Maron Maronite Catholic Church. North side of Ellsworth, West of 10th.
* 39.935762,-75.160576 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Religious, Mosaic
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Jesus page
+wikipedia.org's Mary, mother of Jesus page

Hawthorne Center Hands
Lynn Denton, 1997
* hand prints, names
* East Wall. Hawthorne Cultural Center. West side of 12th, South of Carpenter.
* 39.938350,-75.162925 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Mosaic
* See also:
+lynnbdenton.com

4 Seasons
Mike Smash, 2003
* sun and moon, dragonfly, plants and leaves
* Bottom of the North wall. Hawthorne Cultural Center. South side of Carpenter, West of 12th.
* 39.938550,-75.163000 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+publicartarchive.org's Mike Smash page

Object for Expression
Warren C. Holzman, 2012
* In honor of a speech by Martin Luther King, Jr.
* podium
* inscription:
for impromptu performances and oration -
in honor of the neighborhood's musical history
and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s
1965 speech at 13th and Fitzwater Streets
* East side of Hawthorne Park. Northwest of the Northwest corner, 12th and Catharine.
* 39.940650,-75.162700 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+ironstudioltd.com
+wikipedia.org's Martin Luther King, Jr. page

Galapagos Tortoise
Eric Berg, 1979
* tortoise
* visible through the fence
* Palumbo Recreation Center. North side of Fitzwater, East of 10th.
* 39.941060,-75.158475 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+bergbronze.com's page for this piece
+bergbronze.com

Philadelphia Maneto
1905 (approximate, installed 2014)
* small standing women, scroll, cornucopia, shield, disembodied hand and arm, scales and plow, ship
* Was at the Fante-Leone Public Pool at Montrose and Darien, which was closed in 2004.
* East end of Cianfrani Park. Northeast of the Northeast corner of 8th and Fitzwater.
* 39.940650,-75.155100 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Moved
* See also:
+philaplace.org article about the Fonte-Leone Public Pool
+hiddencityphila.org article about the city seal which mentions this version

Fleisher Gates
Max Reese
* abstract ironwork
* Samuel Yellin is listed as the sculptor of the Fleisher Gates in the Smithsonian catalog. but the picture of the 1934 gates does not match the pattern of the gates pictured here and Max Reese's obituary says he "designed and built the gate to The Fleisher Art Memorial".
* Gates. Near the back of Palumbo Park on the West side of the Fleisher Art Memorial. North side of Catherine between 7th and 8th.
* 39.939275,-75.155410 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+legacy.com's Max Reese obituary

Fleisher Medallion
1886 (year of building)
* Representation of Jesus and Mary
* small people standing, partial people, winged cherubs, headgear, plants
* Wall. Fleisher Art Memorial. North side of Catherine between 7th and 8th.
* 39.939090,-75.155225 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Religious
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Jesus page
+wikipedia.org's Mary, mother of Jesus page

Fleisher Window Grill
Max Reese
* abstract lines
* Front wall. Fleisher Art Memorial. North side of Catherine between 7th and 8th.
* 39.939090,-75.155050 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+legacy.com's Max Reese obituary

Napoli Pizza
Isaiah Zagar, 2011
* big abstract partial people, hats
* Walls. East side of 7th, North of Carpenter.
* 39.937140,-75.154880 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Mosaic
* See also:
+phillymagicgardens.org

Untitled
Mark Maroshick, 1970
* group of children standing spelling the word cat
* Earlier pictures found on the internet suggest this piece may have been reconfigured since it was originally installed.
* Wall. North side of the Shot Tower Recreation Center. North side of Carpenter West of Front.
* 39.934800,-75.146100 [map] [nearby]

From River to Sea and Back
2014
* small fish sign
* inscription: Alewife, Striped Bass, American Eel, American Sturgeon, American Shad
* Washington Avenue Pier. East of Columbus and Washington.
* 39.932250,-75.140500 [map] [nearby]

Along the Atlantic Flyway
2014
* small bird sign
* Washington Avenue Pier. East of Columbus and Washington.
* 39.932325,-75.140425 [map] [nearby]

Land Buoy
Jody Pinto, 2014
* big pole, stairs
* Washington Avenue Pier. East of Columbus and Washington.
* 39.932300,-75.140400 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+jodypinto.com

Mummers Museum Spire
Ueland and Junker (Architects), 1976
* colorful geometric design evoking mummery, spire
* Above the entrance. Mummers Museum. Southwest corner, 2nd and Washington.
* 39.933584,-75.147465 [map] [nearby]

Golden Slippers
Harold Kimmelman, 1973
* symbol of mummery
* North of Philip and Manton just South of Federal.
* 39.932750,-75.148000 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+hksculpt.com

Mummer
Ken Clark, 1982
* standing person
* Center of Dickinson Square. 4th and Tasker.
* 39.927650,-75.151650 [map] [nearby]

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]
* Exhibits: Unidentified

The Family
Harold Kimmelman, 1982
* small standing people
* Plaza/courtyard/walkway. Pennsport Mall. East side of Moyamensing between Moore and McClellan.
* 39.925425,-75.150725 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+hksculpt.com

Fire Rescue Scene of Infant
Rebecca Rose, 1986
* small people standing, carried, helmets, fire-fighting equipment, parts of building
* Wall. South side of Snyder just West of 4th.
* 39.922225,-75.153775 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Police and Fire Fighters
* See also:
+rebecca-rose.wixsite.com/rosebridge

Family
Neil Lieberman, 1970 (approximate)
* abstract standing people
* pictures have been retouched to remove some of the white paint
* Wall. Ford Recreation Center. North side of Snyder between 6th and 7th.
* 39.922950,-75.157600 [map] [nearby]

Walt Whitman
Leonard Baskin, 1981
* Bust of Walt Whitman
* head
* In front of Whitman Plaza. 4th and Oregon.
* 39.914700,-75.156260 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Leonard Baskin page
+wikipedia.org's Walt Whitman page

Possible trip extension:Independence Mall (Route 47 bus from Whitman Plaza North to 7th and Chestnut)
Possible trip extension:Old City (Route 57 bus from Whitman Plaza to 3rd and Walnut)
Possible trip extension:South Broad (Route 7 bus from 5th and Oregon to Broad and Oregon)

Tour: South Philly

See Also