February 24, 2011
The Mural Arts Program Launches A New African American Mural Collection And Tour Complete With A Questlove-Narrated Audio Guide
The "A Tribute to Urban Horseman" is one of 47 murals throughout the city that celebrate African American culture in Philadelphia.
(Photo courtesy the Mural Arts Program)
The Mural Arts Program, in partnership with the African American Museum, is launching the Albert M. Greenfield African American Iconic Images Collection, which highlights 47 murals that uniquely capture the rich African American experience in Philadelphia — including murals of icons like Patti LaBelle, the Tuskegee Airmen, Malcolm X and many more.
The hub of the collection will be the brand-new interactive website where users can get an in-depth look into each of the murals through commentary from scholars, community leaders and artists. The site will also provide the tools to get out and explore the collection on your own with the self-guided tour, which features a downloadable audio podcast narrated by The Roots’ Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson plus a map highlighting the locations of 21 murals throughout the city.
On Saturday, February 26, the first public guided tours of the collection will depart from the Independence Visitor Center. Beginning at 11 a.m., free one-hour tours will depart from the center every half hour until 2 p.m. To make a tour reservation, visit the Mural Arts Program’s official site.
If you can’t make it this Saturday, monthly public tours of the collection will take place the last Saturday of each month at 10 a.m., beginning March 26 at the African American Museum. The tour lasts two hours explores 21 murals aboard a trolley and the tour-ticket also includes admission to the African American Museum.
In addition to the new website and the various tour options, monthly special events celebrating the Albert M. Greenfield African American Iconic Images Collection will take place every month in various locations around the city, concluding in October with an exhibition at the African American Museum. Information on all things related to the collections will be available at the official site.
Albert M. Greenfield African American Iconic Images Collection Free Guided Tour & Opening Celebration
When: Saturday, February 26, 2011; 11 a.m.
Where: Independence Visitor Center, 6th and Market Streets
Cost: Free
More info: www.muralarts.org/iconicimages
(1 response)
February 24, 2011, 1:30 pm
Byron Lewis says:
As a Philly native, I’ve always loved these images and now, as a Central PA resident, would love to see similar art projects in the greater Harrisburg Area. Hopefully, we’ll be able to glean info to initiate it here. Be blessed and keep up the great work – exposing our children, adults and everybody, to the arts.
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