In an effort to improve pedestrian safety for students, Mural Arts Philadelphia and South of South Neighborhood Association are partnering to create murals on intersections near two Philadelphia public schools.
The street murals will be painted at the intersections of 17th and Christian and 17th and Montrose streets near Edwin M. Stanton School, and 20th and Catharine and 21st and Catharine streets near Chester A. Arthur School.
In addition to beautifying the neighborhood, the murals will increase safety for kids who frequently cross these streets. The colorful design, which was created by South Philadelphia artist Calo Rosa and unveiled on July 16, makes the crosswalks more visible to traffic.
“We are so thrilled that we can use art to help foster a safer and more aesthetically pleasing pedestrian environment by creating safe pathways to schools,” Jane Golden, executive director of Mural Arts Philadelphia, said in a SOSNA release. “Through innovation and creativity, we are raising city-wide awareness of the importance of traffic safety that will help save lives.”
Local students and community members were invited to submit ideas for the mural designs.
“The most important thing, the beautiful side of all of this, is giving young people a voice,” Councilmember Isaiah Thomas said in a South Philly Review article. “What does it mean for that young person who had an opportunity to have a stake in what their community looks like when we tell them you can make a difference, you can be the change you want to see?”
