Three local artists selected as finalists to design a mural that celebrates the bourgeoning neighborhood and contracted to create original design concepts for the public to vote on October 2 through 16
Philadelphia, PA, August 25, 2015 – Philadelphia Federal Credit Union (PFCU) and the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program (Mural Arts) today announced the three local artists or teams selected as finalists to design a community mural located in the East Kensington/Fishtown section of Philadelphia. Also announced today, the official site of the mural will be an exterior wall of local auto body shop, A C Auto Body, located diagonally to PFCU's Fishtown Branch at the corner of E. Dauphin Street and Frankford Ave.
The three artists or teams selected as finalists and contracted to create an original design concept for the mural include: (1) Jeff Kilpatrick and Brad Carney; (2) Marie Elcin; and (3) Emily White and Kien Nguyen. The artists were chosen among a diverse and highly competitive group of applicants who live or work in the East Kensington/Fishtown area, and were determined by a group of judges comprised of representatives from PFCU, Mural Arts and New Kensington Community Development Corporation.
"Narrowing down the applications proved an incredibly difficult task, as we had so many innovative and creative submissions," said Jane Golden, Executive Director of the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program. "Ultimately we selected artists whose ideas jumped off of the pages and allowed us to conceptualize how the mural would come to life, either through intricate scenes depicting elements and people that are integral to Fishtown, bold imagery and bright colors, or the imaginative use of material and space. We are so proud to partner with PFCU in bringing new beauty to Fishtown with one of these inspiring concepts."
The three artists or teams contracted to create an original design concept for the mural must submit their concepts to Mural Arts by September 21, 2015. PFCU and Mural Arts will display the three concepts during a public exhibition at PFCU's Fishtown Branch located at 2136 E. Dauphin Street from October 2 through October 16. During this period, the public will be encouraged to view the designs and vote for their favorite on PFCU's Facebook page. The final selection of the design concept will be announced the week of October 19, 2015.
The community will continue to be engaged in the mural-making process through a number of events occurring over the span of several months, including paint days that will be announced at a later date in 2016. The mural is slated to be unveiled at the Philadelphia Federal Credit Union Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby & Arts Festival in May 2016.
"We are excited to see the artists' visions come to life and look forward to working with them to create a public work of art that reflects the spirit of the neighborhood," said James McAneney, President/CEO of PFCU. "The purpose of this initiative is to celebrate the arts and culture scene in the Fishtown and East Kensington neighborhood, and by calling upon artists who live and breathe it every day to design a mural, we hope to create a visual metaphor for the fabric of the community and what it represents."
For more information on PFCU's and Mural Art's mural, please contact Leslie Lodwick, Project Manager, Mural Arts Program, at Leslie.Lodwick@muralarts.org.
About Philadelphia Federal Credit Union
Founded in 1951, PFCU is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial institution serving Philadelphia and Columbia County, Pa. PFCU is among the top five credit unions in the Greater Philadelphia area, with 10 branch locations, more than $948 million in assets, 112,000 members, and more than 400 Select Employee Groups (SEGs). PFCU returns its profits to members in the form of higher dividend rates, lower loan rates, better services, and investment in the community. For more information, visit www.pfcu.com and connect with PFCU on Facebook and Twitter.
About the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program
The City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program (Mural Arts) is the nation's largest public art program, dedicated to the belief that art ignites change. For 30 years, Mural Arts has united artists and communities through a collaborative process, rooted in the traditions of mural making, to create art that transforms public spaces and individual lives. Mural Arts engages communities in 50–100 public art projects each year and maintains its growing collection through a restoration initiative. Core Mural Arts programs such as Art Education, Restorative Justice, and Porch Light yield unique, project-based learning opportunities for thousands of youth and adults. Each year, 12,000 residents and visitors tour Mural Arts' outdoor art gallery, which has become part of the city's civic landscape and a source of pride and inspiration, earning Philadelphia international recognition as the "City of Murals." For further information, call 215-685-0750 or visit muralarts.org. Follow us on social media: @muralarts on Twitter and Instagram, phillymuralarts on YouTube, and MuralArtsPhiladelphia on Facebook.
Media Contacts:
Michelle Woolford
Brownstein Group on behalf of PFCU
267-238-4144
mwoolford@brownsteingroup.com
Nicole Steinberg
Director of Communications and Brand Management
City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program
215-685-0754
nicole.steinberg@muralarts.org