Philadelphia Public Art @philart.net

Nearby 39.955650,-75.164900

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Mary Dyer
Sylvia Shaw Judson, 1960
* Statue of Mary Dyer
* seated person wearing a bonnet, bench
* inscription: Quaker witness for religious freedom. Hanged on Boston Common 1660.
* Just inside the gate of the Friends Center. Northwest corner, 15th and Cherry.
* 39.955650,-75.164900 [map] [nearby]
* On the Franklin Town tour
* Exhibits: Religious
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Sylvia Shaw Judson page
+wikipedia.org's Mary Dyer page
+friendscentercorp.org

Navy Ships
1928 (completion of building)
* small ships, anchor, eagle
* The building was originally the Navy Central YMCA Annex. Around the entrance are subtle relief carvings of Navy ships including the Hornet, the Constitution, the Enterprise, the Bon Homme Richard, the Kearsarge, and the Olympia.
* Entrance. East side of 15th, North of Arch.
* 39.955150,-75.164675 [map] [nearby]
* On the Franklin Town tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's entry for the building

Bike Cloud
Ralph Tullie, 2014
* small abstract cloud
* Bike rack. North of the Northwest corner, 16th, Arch, and the Parkway.
* 39.955375,-75.166425 [map] [nearby]
* On the Parkway and Pennsylvania tour
* See also:
+studio-rt.com

Philadelphia Firsts
George Greenamyer, 1998
* Portrayals of and references to John Bartram, William Camac, Mary Cassatt, Rebecca Cole, Thomas Eakins, John Fitch, Benjamin Franklin, Francis Hopkinson and Betsy Ross
* small standing people, building, tiger, boat, fish, fire, medical and fire-fighting equipment, flag, plant
* inscription:
First American Zoo
1874
The first animal and Dr. William Camac, founder
First American museum and art school
1805
The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Thomas Eakins and Mary Cassat
First American volunteer fire company
1736
The union, founded by Benjamin Franklin
First American botanical garden
1728
Bartram's Gardens
John Bartram with Franklinia alatamaha
First American steamboat
1785
John Fitch, inventor
First African-American to graduate from the Women's Medical College
1867
Dr. Rebecca Cole
First American Flag
1777
Betsy Ross, seamstress
Francis Hopkinson, alleged designer
* On top of a pole outside 1515 Arch (aka One Parkway).
* 39.954900,-75.166100 [map] [nearby]
* On the Parkway and Pennsylvania tour
* Exhibits: Police and Fire Fighters
* See also:
+greenamyer.com
+wikipedia.org's John Bartram page
+phillymag.com article about the zoo that mentions William Camac
+wikipedia.org's Mary Cassatt page
+wikipedia.org's Rebecca Cole page
+wikipedia.org's Thomas Eakins page
+wikipedia.org's John Fitch page
+The Electric Franklin
+wikipedia.org's Francis Hopkinson page
+ushistory.org's Betsy Ross page

Paint Torch
Claes Oldenburg, 2011
* big paintbrush, torch
* lights up at night
* Plaza. Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. West side of Broad, North of Arch.
* 39.955350,-75.163200 [map] [nearby]
* On the Convention District tour
* See also:
+oldenburgvanbruggen.com
+Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

Three Way Piece Number 1: Points
Henry Moore, 1964
* abstract form
* Parkway West of 16th.
* 39.955540,-75.166850 [map] [nearby]
* On the Parkway and Pennsylvania tour
* Exhibits: Favorites
* See also:
+The Henry Moore Foundation

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts Stonework
Frank Furness (Architect), 1876
* plants
* Front and side walls. Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. West side of Broad, North of Arch.
* 39.955300,-75.163175 [map] [nearby]
* On the Convention District tour
* Exhibits: Favorites
* See also:
+philadelphiabuilding.org entry for the building
+wikipedia.org's Frank Furness page
+Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

LOVE
Robert Indiana, 1978
* idea
* The base has changed and the fountain has been removed since these pictures were taken.
* There is also a Penn Campus copy of LOVE
* John F. Kennedy Plaza (LOVE Park). Northwest of the Northwest corner, 15th and JFK.
* 39.954150,-75.165500 [map] [nearby]
* On the Parkway and Pennsylvania tour
* Exhibits: Favorites, Peace and Love
* See also:
+Max Buten's page for this piece
+wikipedia.org's Robert Indiana page
+Smithsonian interview with Robert Indiana
+wikipedia.org's Love Park page

The Prophet
Jacob Lipkin, 1974
* standing person
* Northwest corner, 16th and the Parkway.
* 39.955225,-75.166575 [map] [nearby]
* On the Parkway and Pennsylvania tour
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Jacob Lipkin page

Ellen Phillips Samuel Memorial Fountain
Vincent King, 1969
* Memorial to Ellen Phillips Samuel
* fountain
* Removed 2017
* Replaced by the Love Park Fountain
* Plaza. Specifically John F. Kennedy Plaza (LOVE Park).
* 39.954250,-75.165650 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Missing
* See also:
+a 1938 Time article about Ellen Phillips Samuel and her bequest
+wikipedia.org's Love Park page

Love Park Fountain
Hargreaves Associates, KieranTimberlake, 2018
* Replaced the Ellen Phillips Samuel Memorial Fountain
* Plaza. Specifically John F. Kennedy Plaza (LOVE Park). Southeast of the Southeast corner, 16th and Arch.
* 39.954260,-75.165660 [map] [nearby]
* On the Parkway and Pennsylvania tour
* See also:
+Hargreaves Associates
+kierantimberlake.com
+wikipedia.org's Love Park page

City Seal
Dexter Jones, 1966
* big seal of the city, standing people, ship, plow, scroll, food
* Entrance. Municipal Services Building. North side of JFK between Broad and 15th.
* 39.953900,-75.164420 [map] [nearby]
* On the City Hall tour
* See also:
+emporis.com's Municipal Services Building page

Frank Rizzo
Zenos Frudakis, 1998
* Statue of Frank Rizzo
* standing person, steps
* Was on the steps of the Municipal Services Building on the North side of JFK between Broad and 15th. Permanently removed from that location by the City without ceremony or advance notice in the middle of the night, June 2, 2020.
* inscription: Mayor 1972 - 1980
* Steps.
* 39.953725,-75.164500 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Missing
* See also:
+Max Buten's picture of this piece
+zenosfrudakis.com
+wikipedia.org's Frank Rizzo page

Three Disks, One Lacking
Alexander Calder, 1968
* abstract form
* Originally on the top floor of the Reading Terminal Headhouse. Was part of the exhibition of Calders at 22nd and the Parkway for several years, and then moved to the current location in late March or Early April of 2009 when the Calder exhibit was taken down. The first two pictures are from the current location, the third is from the original location.
* Northeast corner, 17th and the Parkway.
* 39.955740,-75.167225 [map] [nearby]
* On the Parkway and Pennsylvania tour
* Exhibits: Moved
* See also:
+calder.org

Your Move
Daniel Martinez, Renee Petropoulos, Roger White, 1996
* big chess pieces, Monopoly pieces, dominoes, etc.
* Was on the West side of Broad between Arch and JFK. Severely deteriorated. Removed by the City in late May 2023 for eventual destruction.
* Scattered around the plaza. Municipal Services Building.
* 39.953950,-75.164150 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Favorites, Missing
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Daniel Joseph Martinez page
+wikipedia.org's Renee Petropoulos page
+emporis.com's Municipal Services Building page

Pennsylvania Convention Center Lights
The Lighting Practice, 2011
* big abstract lights
* Only visible after dark. The color and pattern are programmable
* Main entrance. Convention Center. East side of Broad between Arch and Race.
* 39.955325,-75.162740 [map] [nearby]
* On the Convention District tour
* See also:
+artist's page for this piece
+thelightingpractice.com
+paconvention.com

Pretzel
BrownSprague, LLC, 2014
* big abstract pretzel
* Bike rack. West side of the Convention Center. East side of Broad between Arch and Race.
* 39.955175,-75.162850 [map] [nearby]
* On the Convention District tour
* See also:
+brownsprague.com
+paconvention.com

Insurance Company of North America Building
1925
* Eagles
* There are large medallions hidden behind the banners and not pictured here.
* inscription:
Insurance Company of North America
Oldest American Fire and Marine Insurance Company
Organized in Philadelphia on December X, MDCCXCII
in the old state house and in the room in which
was signed the Declaration of Independence
* Part of the whole building's art. Southwest corner, 16th, Arch, and the Parkway.
* 39.954775,-75.166585 [map] [nearby]
* On the Parkway and Pennsylvania tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org entry

Rock Form (Porthcurno)
Barbara Hepworth, 1964
* abstract rock
* Was on the East side of 5th, South of Race. Put in storage some time before May, 2011. Installed in the current location November 26, 2012. The last picture is from the original location.
* Northeast corner, 17th and the Parkway.
* 39.955800,-75.167400 [map] [nearby]
* On the Parkway and Pennsylvania tour
* Exhibits: Moved
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Barbara Hepworth page

Monument to the Six Million Jewish Martyrs
Nathan Rapoport, 1964
* people, books and scrolls, sword, flames
* The base of the memorial has inscriptions in both English and Hebrew. The last picture is from the new plaza.
* Was a standalone piece until 2018, now part of the Horwitz-Wasserman Holocaust Memorial Plaza
* inscription:
front (English):
Presented to the City of Philadelphia by the Association of Jewish New Americans in cooperation with the Federation of Jewish Agencies of Greater Philadelphia, April 26 1964.
right (English):
Remember Drancy, Flossenberg, Gross-Rosea, Klooga, Ewow-Janowska, Majdanek, Mauthausen, Newengamme, Auschwitz, Babi-Yar, Belzic, Bergen-Belsen, Buchenwald, Chelmno, Dauchau, Ponary, Ravensbruck, Sachsenhausen, Sobibor, Stutthof, Therestenstadt, Trebeinka, Westerbork.
left (English):
The Holocaust 1933-1945.
Now and forever enshrined in memory are the six million Jewish martyrs who perished in concentration camps, ghettos, and gas chambers. In their deepest agony they clung to the image of humanity, and their acts of resistance in the forests and ghettos redeemed the honor of man. Their suffering and heroism are forever branded upon our conscience and shall be remembered from generation to generation.
* 16th, Arch, and the Parkway.
* 39.955035,-75.167100 [map] [nearby]
* On the Parkway and Pennsylvania tour
* Exhibits: Religious, Moved, War
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Nathan Rapoport page

Government of the People
Jacques Lipchitz, 1976
* big group of people, kneeling and crushed
* inscription:
Symbolizing family life
"the wellspring of society,
the hope of the future"
and
the concept of government being of, by, and for the people,
this sculpture is dedicated
to the people of Philadelphia
* Plaza. Municipal Services Building. Northwest corner, Broad and JFK.
* 39.953750,-75.163975 [map] [nearby]
* On the City Hall tour
* See also:
+Max Buten's picture of this piece
+wikipedia.org's Jacque Lipchitz page
+emporis.com's Municipal Services Building page

Horwitz-Wasserman Holocaust Memorial Plaza
WRT, 2018
* Quote from George Washington
* ideas, video flame
* A video eternal flame and text comparing the ideals of the United States and Nazi Germany.
* Built around the Monument to the Six Million Jewish Martyrs
* inscription: (partial):
"It is now no more that toleration is spoken of as if it were the indulgence of one class of people that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights, for, happily, the Government of the United States, which gives to bigorty no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens in giving it on all occasions their effectual support."
-George Washington Letter of New Port Hebrew Congregation
August 18, 1790
* Plaza. Between the Parkway and Arch, West of 16th.
* 39.954925,-75.167200 [map] [nearby]
* On the Parkway and Pennsylvania tour
* Exhibits: War
* See also:
+wwikipedia.org's page for the plaza
+wrtdesign.com's page for this piece
+wrtdesign.com
+wikipedia.org's George Washington page

Liberty Title Building Dragons
1929
* small dragons
* Entrance. South side of the Aloft Hotel. North side of Arch, East of Broad.
* 39.954465,-75.162790 [map] [nearby]
* On the Convention District tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's entry for the building

Benjamin Franklin, Craftsman
Joe Brown, 1981
* Statue of Benjamin Franklin
* standing person, printing press
* inscription:
Presented to the
City of Philadelphia
by
Pennsylvania Freemasons
Dedicated June 27, 1981
by
The Grand Lodge Free and
Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania
* Northwest corner, Broad and JFK.
* 39.953700,-75.163550 [map] [nearby]
* On the City Hall tour
* Exhibits: Labor
* See also:
+Max Buten's picture of this piece
+wikipedia.org Joe Brown page
+The Electric Franklin

Suburban Station Clock
1930
* clock, sign
* Best observed from the East side of 16th
* 16th Street entrance. Suburban Station. West side of 16th, North of JFK.
* 39.954150,-75.166750 [map] [nearby]
* On the JFK North tour
* Exhibits: Mass Transit
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Suburban Station page

Lifelines
Barbara Grygutis, 2006
* big abstract plant forms
* lights up at night
* Underground courtyard. Southeast corner, 16th and JFK.
* 39.953500,-75.166450 [map] [nearby]
* On the JFK North tour
* See also:
+barbaragrygutis.com

Landscape Junk Assemblage
Tom Deininger, 2011
* plants, clouds, butterflies
* Clearly visible through the window on Arch. If you're lucky the guard will let you inside. I do not have an actual title for this piece. "Landscape Junk Assemblages" is the artist's name for this category of work.
* Lobby. South side of Arch, East of 17th.
* 39.954850,-75.167800 [map] [nearby]
* On the JFK North tour
* See also:
+Tom Deininger's page at projectvortex.org

Masonic Temple Entrance
James H. Windrim (Architect), 1868 - 1873
* big geometric patterns
* Entrance. Masonic Temple. Northeast corner, Broad and JFK.
* 39.953675,-75.163145 [map] [nearby]
* On the City Hall tour
* Exhibits: Labor
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Masonic Temple page
+philadelphiabuildings.org's James H. Windrim page
+pamasonictemple.org

The Rob Morris Entrance
1914
* small heads, plants
* Entrance. North side of Arch Street, just West of 17th.
* 39.955125,-75.168200 [map] [nearby]
* On the JFK North tour
* Exhibits: Unidentified
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's page for the building

The Bond
Jim West, 2017
* Statue of Benjamin Franklin and George Washington
* two people standing, Masonic emblem
* inscription:
Brother George Washington, Commander in Chief of the Continental Army, first President of the United States, and member of Alexandria Lodge (Fairfax County, Virginia) shows his Masonic Apron to Brother Benjamin Franklin, diplomat who negotiated French involvement in our independence. Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania and Master of the Loge Les Neuf Soeurs, in Paris. It was a gift from Brother General Lafayette, member of the Loge Contrat Social of Paris, who represented the French government and their commitment to American Independence.
* In front of the Masonic Temple. Northeast corner, Broad and JFK.
* 39.953510,-75.163150 [map] [nearby]
* On the City Hall tour
* See also:
+jimwestsculptor.com
+The Electric Franklin
+wikipedia.org's George Washington page
+pamasonictemple.org

Opposing Forces
Ellen Tiberino, Alvin Tull, 2021
* sun and moon
* Thanks to the @SEPTAPHILLY twitter account for providing the initial information about this piece, including "Tull created a painted mural of natural landscapes, and Tiberino created mosaic parts overlaying it."
* Inside. Back of the ticket office. Suburban Station. Under JFK between 16th and 17th.
* 39.954225,-75.167400 [map] [nearby]
* On the JFK North tour
* Exhibits: Mosaic, Mass Transit
* See also:
+phillyvoice.com article about Ellen Tiberino
+muralarts.org's Alvin Tull page
+wikipedia.org's Suburban Station page

Bird
Joseph J. Greenberg, Jr., 1980 (date of building)
* big bird
* Was between 16th and 17th, Race and Vine on the North side of the hotel which was the Wyndham Franklin Plaza and then the Sheraton Center City. Disappeared some time around 2017 when the Franklin Plaza complex was reconfigured.
* Was in the driveway entrance.
* 39.957700,-75.166900 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Missing
* See also:
+nytimes.com Joseph J. Greenberg obituary

St. Elizabeth Catholic Church Crucifixion
1993 (installed? year St. Elizabeth was closed)
* statue of Jesus
* small group of people standing and crucified, kneeling, with headgear
* Was in the parking lot on the Northwest corner of 17th and Race. As of 5/19/2021 the pieces are near the wall on Vine behind a fence and parked cars (see last picture). The crucified Christ appears to be horizontal on the sidewalk. I have no information about the relationship between the statues and St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, or who the three women are.
* inscription: St. Elizabeth Catholic Church founded 1872
* 39.956950,-75.167700 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Missing, Religious, Unidentified
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Jesus page
+archphila.org

Suburban Station
Isaiah Zagar, 2012
* sign, words, standing, running, walking, sitting people, faces, hats, glasses, abstract designs
* inscription:
Welcome to Suburban Station Concourse
Every day in Philadelphia
lips, nose, eyes
Love
hat
shoes
boots
my phone
lost and found
so many places
Talk Radio
Worth Millions
Walkers
Do I have my wallet????
Seeing see
stockings
gaberdine
* Inside. Suburban Station. Underground, North of the Southeast corner of 17th and JFK..
* 39.954275,-75.168075 [map] [nearby]
* On the JFK North tour
* Exhibits: Mosaic, Mass Transit
* See also:
+phillymagicgardens.org
+wikipedia.org's Suburban Station page

Saint John Chrysostom
1931
* standing angel, heads
* inscription: Gloria In Excelcis Deo
* Whole building. Saint John Chrysostom. East side of 17th, South of Vine.
* 39.957850,-75.167300 [map] [nearby]
* On the Franklin Town tour
* Exhibits: Religious, Gargoyles
* See also:
+Gargoyle Hunter page for the building
+stjohnsphila.org

Elk Head
1904
* elk head
* Wall. South side of Arch, between 13th and Juniper.
* 39.954120,-75.161625 [map] [nearby]
* On the Convention District tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org entry for the building