Philadelphia Public Art @philart.net

Tour: Chestnut 29th to 40th

List View | Map View

This tour runs from 29th (aka Schuylkill Avene) and Chestnut to 40th and Chestnut with a couple of small detours North and South and includes a lot of architectural detail and religious content. Starting just South of the Southwest corner of 29th and Chestnut we go

West on Chestnut across 30th
North across Chestnut
West across 34th
South one block to Sansom
West on Sansom across 37th
North across Chestnut
back South across Chestnut
West to 38th
North across Chestnut one block to Ludlow
back South across Chestnut
West across 39th
North across Chestnut
West to 40th

Schuylkill Avenue Viaduct Decorative Barriers
2021
* people sitting, standing, walking and running, plants, clouds, benches, dogs, baby carriages, Schuylkill Banks logos
* Very similar panels repeat the length of the block. The title is from references in PennDot press releases.
* Fence. West side of Schuylkill Avenue (aka 29th Street) between Chestnut and Walnut.
* 39.952375,-75.182415 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Unidentified

The Study at University City
Shelly Bradbury, 2016
* big glasses, logo sign
* West side of 33rd, North of Chestnut.
* 39.954510,-75.189820 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+thestudyatuniversitycity.com
+shellybradburystudio.com

Wave Forms
Dennis Oppenheim, 2007
* big bells, arch
* Housing complex entrance. Northwest corner, 34th and Chestnut.
* 39.954600,-75.192200 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Dennis Oppenheim page

threshold object
Kennedy and Violich Architecture, 2012
* big abstact books
* the title is from a quote from the architect in an article about this piece
* Sunshade wall. Golkin Hall. North side of Sansom, West of 34th.
* 39.953785,-75.192870 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: New
* See also:
+article about this piece
+kvarch.net

Antillean Couple
Agustin Cardenas, 1957
* big abstract standing people
* Southwest corner 36th and Sansom.
* 39.953850,-75.194780 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Black Lives
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Agustin Cardenas page

Tabernacle Presbyterian Church
Theophilus Parsons Chandler Jr. (Architect), Henry Christopher McCook, Michael F. Scully, 1884 - 1886
* Symbols of and references to Jesus, Saint John, Saint Luke and Saint Mark
* dragons, plants, partial cherubs and angels, winged lion, winged ox, eagle, sun, candle, fire
* Rev. McCook is reported to have chosen the inscriptions
* inscription:
North Entrance: I am the door.
tower: My Goodness and My fortress. My High Tower and My Deliver. He in whom I trust.
East Entrance: We have seen his star in the East and are come to worship him.
shields:
He is risen.
Lampades multae, una lux.
Christus Exaltus Salvator.
Lux lucet in tenebris
Nec tamen consumebatur.
* North and East sides. Tabernacle United Church. Southwest corner, 37th and Chestnut.
* 39.954500,-75.196800 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: New, Religious, Gargoyles
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's page for the building
+Gargoyle Hunter's page for the building
+wikipedia.org's Theophilus P. Chandler Jr. page
+wikipedia.org's Henry Christopher McCook page
+philadelphiabuildings.org's Michael F. Scully entry
+wikipedia.org's Jesus page
+wikipedia.org's John the Evangelist page
+wikipedia.org's Luke the Evangelist page
+wikipedia.org's Mark the Evangelist page

Tabernacle United Church Signs
Lynn Denton, 1999
* signs, religious symbols and imagery, boat, Earth, food, sitting and standing people, birds, plants, musical instruments, sheep, hands, water
* tiles painted by the congregation
* Tabernacle United Church. Southwest corner, 37th and Chestnut.
* 39.954800,-75.196650 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Religious, Peace and Love, Mosaic
* See also:
+lynnbdenton.com

Doves
James Frost, 1969 (building date)
* doves
* South wall. University Lutheran. Northeast corner, 37th and Chestnut.
* 39.955025,-75.196310 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Religious, Peace and Love

Innovation Plaza
ex;it, 2015
* Quotes from Alan Kay, Eleanor Roosevelt and Andy Warhol
* abstract geometric forms, some internally lit
* In addition to the quotes, the blocks on the North end display the names of many innovators.
* inscription:
"The best way to predict the future is to invent it." - Alan Kay
"You must do the thing you think you cannot do." - Eleanor Roosevelt
"They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself." - Andy Warhol
* Plaza. 37th from Market to Chestnut.
* 39.955645,-75.196295 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+entry for this piece on exploreexit.com
+exploreexit.com
+wikipedia.org's Alan Key page
+wikipedia.org's Eleanor Roosevelt page
+wikipedia.org's Andy Warhol page

Cross
1969
* cross, arch
* Roof. University Lutheran. North of 37th and Chestnut.
* 39.955350,-75.196240 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Religious

Mary
2021 (installed)
* statue of Mary
* small standing person
* Plaza. East of St. Agatha - St. James Church. South side of Chestnut, East of 38th.
* 39.954850,-75.197815 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Religious
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Mary, mother of Jesus page

Saint James
1887 (year of building)
* Statue of Saint James
* standing person, staff
* Carved for the building in Italy. Behind mesh that isn't visible from the street but partially obscures the picture.
* Niche above the entrance arch. St. Agatha - St. James Church. Southeast corner, 38th and Chestnut.
* 39.955000,-75.198250 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Religious
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Saint James page

Interfaith Symbol
2016
* symbol
* Just South of the Episcopal Cathedral. East side of 38th, North of Chestnut.
* 39.955550,-75.198100 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Religious, Unidentified

Episcopal Cathedral Entrance
1889
* Relief featuring Jesus
* small kneeling, sitting, horizontal, standing people, headgear
* Entrance. Episcopal Cathedral. East side of 38th, North of Chestnut.
* 39.955717,-75.198085 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Religious, Unidentified
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's entry for the building
+wikipedia.org's Jesus page

When I was Hungry and Thirsty
Timothy Schmalz, 2017 (installed)
* statue of Jesus
* small sitting person, head covered, chalice and plate, Christian symbolism
* Only one of the casts pictured on the artist's site includes the plate and chalice.
* inscription:
The Hungry and Thirsty Jesus
Matthew 25;35
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in...
* In front of the Episcopal Cathedral. East side of 38th, North of Chestnut.
* 39.955750,-75.198070 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Religious
* See also:
+sculpturebytps.com
+wikipedia.org's Jesus page

Wind Helix
Roy Wilson, 1994
* abstract forms
* The fence used to surround an open space behind the building. The fence was removed around 2007 and the open space was replaced with an extension of the building. In 2009 the fence was put back in approximately its original position, but surrounding the building extension instead of open space. The first picture is from the original context.
* Back of the fence. Northeast corner, 38th and Ludlow.
* 39.955950,-75.198100 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Moved
* See also:
+roywilsonart.com

Hamilton Court Logos
1901 (design date of building)
* small sign, logo, shield, flowers and tree, helmet and crown
* There are 4 identical copies, 2 on each of the buildings. The coordinates are for the eastmost. The 2021 stylized version of the logo does not include a tree at the top.
* Front walls. Hamilton Court. South side of Chestnut, West of 38th.
* 39.955165,-75.199200 [map] [nearby]

Hamilton Court Sidewalk Lights
2018
* sidewalk lights
* Sidewalk. In front of Hamilton Court. South side of Chestnut, East of 39th.
* 39.955200,-75.199500 [map] [nearby]

Swain House Busts
1893 (approximate year of building)
* house built for William James Swain
* heads
* Walls. Ronald McDonald House. North side of Chestnut between 39th and 40th.
* 39.955700,-75.201350 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org entry for the building
+whyy.org article about the building
+findagrave.com's William James Swain page

Possible trip extension:Avenue of Technology (North on the East side of 40th to Market)
Possible trip extension:Penn Campus (in reverse, South on the East side of 40th across Walnut)
Possible trip extension:University City South Medical Complex (across 40th and then South across Locust)

Tour: Chestnut 29th to 40th

See Also