By Janine Gasarowski
Photos by Terry Leahy from Big T’s House of Photos (terryleahyfilms.com)
Philadelphia has been recognized as the best city for public art TWICE in USA Today publications! With a thriving community of culture, creatives, and passionate community organizations, this comes at no surprise to Philadelphians. Manayunk’s rich history of textile mills and industrial development laid the foundation for a neighborhood built on creativity—now reflected in its murals and public art. Inspired by its industrial past and ever-evolving artistic spirit, Manayunk continues to weave together elements of its past and present identity through creative expression.
The Manayunk Development Corporation, local artists, and organizations like Mural Arts, have continued to spread pops of beautiful street art throughout the charming neighborhood through various beautification initiatives. Areas that otherwise might have been overlooked and passed by with a glance now display bright pops of art that stop you in your tracks.
The Lasting Impact of Industrious Light – Phillip Adams
Philadelphia-based artist, Phillip Adams, adds Manayunk to his portfolio of public murals with his large-scale work of art, Industrious Light, adding to his 20 years of mural creation across various cities.
Taking over the wall at 4373 Main Street, this mural represents Manayunk’s rich history while seamlessly blending into the modern day. Through realism painting techniques, the mural transitions from black-and-white depictions of historical icons – like the trains, bridges, and trolleys, into a bold and colorful celebration of the Manayunk Canal Towpath. This large-scale public art piece, visible from Main Street, flows into vibrant native plants and animals—such as the red-bellied turtles (that love to sunbathe on the canal)! It perfectly captures the beauty and spirit of the area’s natural environment. “One that I really keyed on was the canal history – the first canal in the United States to start construction…” Phillip said, “Thinking about that canal history, the health of the water. There is such a movement around rewilding some of these landscapes that I started to embrace in the foreground of the mural.”
The impact of this mural spreads even greater than its striking appearance. Manayunk residents and visitors had a hands-on role in its creation at a community painting event. The Mural Arts team and Philip Adams brought fabric pieces of this mural, creating an interactive color-by-number style event to involve the community and kickstart the process of the mural. Mural Arts and the Manayunk Development Corporation organized this event to involve the community in this artwork that represents them.
“We thought four paint stations would be plenty,” said Philip, “before we knew, they were all full. It just kept growing…which meant people weren’t necessarily leaving!” Phillip wanted to create an opportunity where residents could engage with the mural and be a part of it. “What makes this artwork especially unique is that all their brush strokes are embedded and part of that wall,” Philip shared.
His work carefully considers the previous landscape — honoring the past as we move forward. One small but meaningful detail in Industrious Light is the inclusion of a morning dove, a subtle nod to this location’s previous mural. “For me, knowing it was perched to in flight and linking to the ripple of time and the water droplet is one of those things I thought about while painting.”
“People can engage in a range of different ways, it can be anything from education to wonder and beauty… it can spark curiosity!” Adams shared. Industrious Light is just one example of how public art can transform overlooked spaces, inviting deeper engagement with the neighborhood!
Pop-Up Murals and Community Engagement – Anh Ly
Artist Anh Ly first connected with Manayunk’s public art scene by chance — she attended the Industrious Light community painting event simply as a participant, unaware that it would lead to an opportunity to become an assistant painter on the project! “At the time, I didn’t know I’d later join the installation team as an assistant artist,” she recalled. That initial experience introduced her to the neighborhood and ultimately led to multiple projects along Main Street celebrating the vibrancy of Manayunk in her own unique style.
“Highlighting the life of Manayunk was really important to me,” Anh shared. “As a local, I really love Manayunk. I moved here from California and decided to stay after I first strolled down Main Street.” Her work reflects the neighborhood’s charm and community spirit, capturing its energy through bright colors, local landmarks, and playful imagery—like the beloved “Bridget” dinosaur at the Manayunk Trailhead.
Anh later pitched an idea to the Manayunk Development Corporation for a community-driven paint, which was brought to life during the Stroll the Street activation on Cotton Street. This project was nearly entirely painted by community members, transforming familiar Manayunk icons into dynamic, colorful imagery.
For Anh, the most meaningful feedback came from her own daughter.
“Every time we pass the mural, she said, ‘Mommy painted that!’ or ‘That’s your work!’ I think it’s great that she sees painting and art as real work.”
Anh’s journey in Manayunk’s public art scene has been a series of coincidental moments — starting as a community participant, becoming an assistant artist, and now leaving her mark on the neighborhood in multiple ways! “I do feel like this public art connects us,” she reflected, emphasizing how each piece adds to the evolving identity of Manayunk.
The Manayunk Development Corporation is always looking for new creative beautification projects and reached out to Anh to collaborate on an artistic solution to cover the windows of a long-vacant building. Anh came up with the idea for a five-panel mural pop-up, each panel reflecting different themes of the neighborhood. The mural brings a sense of life and color to the space while highlighting the unique character of Manayunk.
Manayunk is proud to be a place to LIVE, SHOP, DINE, and PLAY, which inspired Anh’s design. Each panel represents one of these four aspects while featuring an iconic animal or figure associated with the neighborhood and the city. Fun fact: all the dogs in the mural are pets from the neighborhood!
Manayunk Alleyways – Manayunk Development Corporation
The Manayunk Development Corporation team and board strive to make Manayunk better for its community every day with new events, projects, and more! Beautification is a key part of the organization’s efforts, as it fosters a greater sense of pride among residents. By aiming to transform overlooked spaces into vibrant public areas, MDC helps create an environment where people want to gather. These initiatives not only improve the visual landscape but also contribute to the energy of the community, making Manayunk a place everyone feels proud of!
A major example of these efforts is the recent updates to neighborhood alleys. Manayunk’s alleyways are hidden gems for residents and visitors to enjoy. MDC Executive Director Gwen McCauley wants visitors to see the art, beauty, and fun that this unique section of the city has to offer. “Visitors could grab a coffee and their laptop and work from a nearby picnic table in one of our alleys,” said Gwen, “or take Instagram-worthy photos of some of our unique public spaces.”
Gay Street’s iconic rainbow umbrellas stay up all summer and transition to festive lights and tinsel for the winter holidays. Ring Street is a charming spot to study or take a break, with its seasonally updated floral design by MDC and Lumos Co. Picnic tables painted by Kaitlin McCauley and the vining mural on Jake’s and Cooper’s exterior by Katie Hansen add to the alley’s character. “Before our alley makeover, this space was just a shared driveway,” said Gwen. “Now it’s a place to enjoy ice cream, meet a friend, or have lunch.
Conarroe Street is one of the more recent activations, featuring glowing floral designs that brighten up the alley.
Then there’s Station Street, tucked parallel to Main Street, which is a quiet alley connecting Levering Street and Gay Street. Recently, MDC added floral leaf installations overhead. Being a part of these conversations as both an MDC employee and an artist, I had the opportunity to paint the fence on Station Street, contributing to the larger beautification project!
The mural features a series of coffee cups, a nod to Manayunk’s vibrant coffee scene (which, as a huge coffee fan myself, felt like the perfect choice). The mugs are transformed into planters with vining greens flowing out, creating a lively touch to the alley. It’s one of my favorite doodles, and I was thrilled to see my go-to doodle come to life on such a large-scale, public piece!
These improvements have transformed the area into a vibrant hub. “I think we took an under-utilized space in the district and made it a meeting spot and a highlight for a visitor,” said Gwen.
A Colorful Representation – Manayunk Mural by Isabella Akhtarshenas
Isabella Akhtarshenas, a versatile artist with a background in graphic design, screen printing, welding, and ceramics, brought her creative vision to Manayunk with a vibrant new mural. Located along the Canal Towpath at the rear of the new Benny’s Pizzeria, this mural marks her third public art project.
Isabella believes in the strong connection between public art and a neighborhood’s character. “Public art and the neighborhood’s identity influence each other symbiotically,” she explains. Her approach to creating murals is site-specific, starting with a deep dive into the unique aspects of a location. “I like to begin by listing what makes a place unique and then sketching everything out to create a balanced design.”
Her murals are playful and full of whimsy. “I want people to embrace joy, silliness, and vulnerability,” she said. This lighthearted approach is woven throughout her work, inviting viewers to not take life too seriously and to enjoy the fun side of things.
Isabella’s Manayunk Mural blends the past and present of the neighborhood. The upper section highlights its industrial history, showcasing the old railroad bridge, a papermill factory, textile workers, and local wildlife like the turtles she spotted while working on the piece. The lower half celebrates today’s community spirit, featuring activities such as walking the canal, yoga, family outings, and visits to the farmers market, along with elements representing local breweries and the wellness community.
“The community was incredibly supportive throughout the process,” Isabella shares. “People were constantly stopping by, cheering me on, and sharing their thoughts. It was amazing to hear their interpretations of the work.” The mural took about ten days to complete, including priming, sealing, and freehanding the entire piece!
For Isabella, murals are a powerful tool for revitalizing spaces. “Public art makes art more accessible, it can change how we see a space, and it sparks inspiration in unexpected ways,” she explains. With her colorful mural, Isabella has added her unique touch to the cultural landscape of Manayunk, breathing new life into the neighborhood.
Weaving Culture into Art – Manayunk Textile by Henry Morales
Another recent project is the colorful wonder now adorning the Shurs Lane Bridge, brightening your commute down the hill! Artist Henry Morales designed this vibrant piece and worked through Mural Arts to bring his work to the Manayunk neighborhood. Henry Morales, a multidisciplinary artist and graduate of Tyler School of Art at Temple University, brought his unique perspective to the Shurs Lane Bridge with his Manayunk Textile mural. “With the murals I’ve done and worked on, there’s been an emphasis on community and how we can work with them to highlight their history,” Henry shared.
His work, much like his approach to public art, focuses on making spaces feel more inclusive and welcoming by drawing from the community’s identity and culture. “Murals have this wonderful way of brightening up a space—whether you know their background or not, you still see them and take pride in them,” he explained. Henry’s piece on Shurs Lane serves as a reflection of his Guatemalan-American identity, drawing inspiration from traditional Guatemalan textiles, known for their beautiful abstract weavings. These designs often incorporate elements from nature, such as plants and animals.
Henry sought to incorporate this cultural heritage into his work in Manayunk. “It was a wonderful coincidence that the history of textiles in this area aligned so well with my vision,” he noted, referencing the textile history in the region. The colors used in his mural were inspired by local flowers, houses, and the surrounding environment.
For Henry, the process was as much about community collaboration as it was about personal expression. “It starts from conversations and hearing out what the needs of the community are, seeing how my voice as an artist can mesh with what is being said by them,” he explained. He worked closely with project manager Mary Henderson and assistant artist Dan Lipshultz over nearly ten weeks to bring his design to life!
One of Henry’s favorite aspects of the mural-making process is the immediate connection with the community. “The instant gratification of working and having people walk by and say ‘Woah, what are you working on?’ is something that doesn’t necessarily happen when you’re in the studio,” he said.
Ultimately, Henry hopes his mural will encourage viewers to reflect on their own histories, take pride in their backgrounds, and remain open to learning from others. “I just want people to enjoy the work, think about where they come from, and feel a sense of connection to the space,” he concluded.
The Future of Public Art in Manayunk
Manayunk, a neighborhood rich in history and community, has seen recent mural projects transform overlooked spaces. With the help of MDC, Mural Arts, local artists, and vendors, these public art efforts spark conversations about culture and history while highlighting a colorful future. They’ve beautified the area and encouraged reflection on the neighborhood’s past and its future.
“We have collaborated extensively with Mural Arts Philadelphia, as they say, ‘Art changes everything,’” shared Gwen McCauley. “For 40 years, Mural Arts has harnessed the power of participatory public art to foster equity, opportunity, and better outcomes in Philadelphia. We love being a part of that in Manayunk.”
As these creative initiatives continue to grow across Manayunk, we look forward to more murals and beautification projects that bring new life to the community. Through these efforts, we’re creating a space where people can connect, reflect, and feel inspired by the vibrant energy around them.