Strength in Our Bonds

artist Ernel Martinez

Strength in Our Bonds © 2019 City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program / Ernel Martinez, 2300 Market Street. Photo by Steve Weinik.

Process Photos 

  • The Philadelphia Foundation mural in-process, November 1, 2019. Photo by Steve Weinik.

  • Philadelphia Foundation public paint day at the Cherry Street Pier, August 1, 2019. Photo by Steve Weinik.

  • The Philadelphia Foundation mural in-process, November 1, 2019. Photo by Steve Weinik.

  • Philadelphia Foundation / Mural Arts Philadelphia Mosaic workshop at Imperfect Gallery, July 25, 2019. Photo by Lacey Gilber.

  • The Philadelphia Foundation mural in-process, November 1, 2019. Photo by Steve Weinik.

  • Philadelphia Foundation / Mural Arts Philadelphia Mosaic workshop at Imperfect Gallery, July 25, 2019. Photo by Lacey Gilber.

  • Philadelphia Foundation public paint day at the Cherry Street Pier, August 1, 2019. Photo by Steve Weinik.

  • The Philadelphia Foundation mural in-process, November 1, 2019. Photo by Steve Weinik.

  • Philadelphia Foundation public paint day at the Cherry Street Pier, August 1, 2019. Photo by Steve Weinik.

  • Philadelphia Foundation / Mural Arts Philadelphia Mosaic workshop at Imperfect Gallery, July 25, 2019. Photo by Lacey Gilber.

  • Philadelphia Foundation public paint day at the Cherry Street Pier, August 1, 2019. Photo by Steve Weinik.

  • Philadelphia Foundation public paint day at the Cherry Street Pier, August 1, 2019. Photo by Steve Weinik.

About the Project 

Guided by the Philadelphia Foundation’s core values of trust, hope, and efficiency, Mural Arts embarked on a project that touched people across the city and the region. Over the summer of 2019, we held 18 conversation-starting workshops at 16 different locations, and used those conversations to help artist Ernel Martinez design a shared vision of Philadelphia.

In 2019, the Philadelphia Foundation celebrated its centennial—looking forward to the next century of impact with this beautiful design, and invoking a future where together we can create change, foster hope, and cultivate trust. With public paint days, community members continued to build connections in expressive civic spaces, celebrating the impact of the Philadelphia Foundation and sending it into the next 100 years of philanthropy.

Funder and Partner 

Philadelphia Foundation