photo: Noble Arts-Noblearts.net; hover over top right corner of images and click on plus sign to expand
A 5-wall, 6000 sf, community-driven wall mural project for 2 SEPTA underpasses in North Philadelphia. Commissioned by Mural Arts Philadelphia. Conceived in collaboration with local community leaders and neighbors. Budget: $225,000.00
Diamonds in the Rough is one of three Rail Line Underpass Enhancement Projects managed by Mural Arts Philadelphia on behalf of North Central Choice Neighborhood in collaboration with the City of Philadelphia Division of Housing and Community Development.
PROJECT PARTNERS
Division of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
Streets Department & Office of Transportation, Infrastructure and Sustainability (OTIS)
Mural Arts Philadelphia (MAP)
Asociacion Puertorriquenos en Marcha (APM)
SEPTA
photo: Noble Arts-Noblearts.net
The 'Diamonds in the Rough' mural concept was inspired by conversations with community members, including one in which the community self-described as “diamonds in the rough”. Diamond motifs in various textures and materials (traditional mural paint, metallic paint, vertically applied retro-reflective paint sprayed with glass bead and mirror polished stainless steel tiles) are painted and/or installed directly onto the existing rough walls of the underpasses.
Along with the diamond motifs in various materials and textures, painted vignettes reference the local community’s own community building’ themes focusing on the principles of family, spirituality, school and community. Each theme is illustrated on a different wall of the underpasses, and the rough walls of the underpasses are themselves an important element of the design. Each series of vignettes is composed of content collected directly from the community during four dinners hosted by Mural Arts Philadelphia during Black History Month in February 2020.
At these events, photos and images were gathered from the community, and portraits were taken especially for the project by renowned artist/photographer Shawn Theodore. Local photographer John Noble also contributed images and portraits to the mural. With the exception of one group portrait, individual personalities are not represented on the mural per se; instead, and with the community's permission, portraits taken of members were 'cast' into roles within each vignettes to help illustrate each of the four themes.
The 6000 square foot, 5-walled project spanning 2 intersecting underpasses was installed over 4 months in summer 2020 by 15 different mural artists and a tile contractor who were contracted by Mural Arts Philadelphia. The installation was overseen on-site by Legge Lewis Legge partner Andrea Legge.
plan map of 5 underpass walls and relative themes
NE corner, N10th St. & Diamond St.: far left; ‘Spirituality’ themed wall; center: ‘Education’ themed wall; right: Home & Family themed wall
SE corner, N10th St. & Diamond St.: ‘Community’ themed walls
‘Community’ themed wall along Diamond St.
‘Community’ themed wall detail:
8th & Diamond Community Center Advisory Board
detail: ‘Home & Family’ themed wall from Diamond St. roadway
detail: ‘Home & Family’ themed wall
‘Education’ themed wall showing retro-reflective diamonds applied to the steel rafters above the pedestrian walkway
detail: ‘Education’ themed wall
photo: Noble Arts-Noblearts.net
‘Spirituality’ themed wall showing retro-reflective diamonds applied to the steel rafters above the pedestrian walkway
‘Spirituality’ themed wall
Stainless steel mirror polish steel tiles
detail: small diamonds throughout murals: AMES retroreflective Road Paint with glass beads applied to surface
detail: retro-reflective diamonds
detail: ‘Education’ themed wall from N10th St. roadway showing effect of retro-reflective diamonds in late afternoon sun
Final Designs for all 5 walls / themes
from top, left to right;
Spirituality
Community; Community
Education; Home & Family