The Art of Wall Hunting

Engage with the Community 

When searching for a wall for a future project, it’s essential to reflect on Mural Arts’ mission of community engagement. Connecting with local residents is the best way to understand a neighborhood and identify suitable walls. “Tapping into the community network and partners to find walls is invaluable, as it fosters a strong community connection for the project,” says Isaac Faller, Mural Arts’ Project Management & Operations Administrator and wall database coordinator. Building relationships with community members is key to garnering their support.

Daniel Giangrandi, our location scout, offers a crucial piece of advice: “Get out there.” Relying solely on your computer and Google can significantly limit your prospects. He recommends going to Center City and exploring on foot, looking for potential walls in every nook, cranny, side street, and alleyway. When you find a wall that meets your criteria, don’t just note the address—knock on the door, speak with residents, and leave a note if no one answers. This approach fosters a sense of collaboration for the project.

Location Matters 

Several neighborhoods are either developing or have plenty of what Faller calls “Philly transplants.” He notes, “We receive many submissions for mural projects in Fishtown and quite a few from South Philadelphia as well. Fishtown is seeing an influx of new residents, and when people are new to Philadelphia, they often seek to engage with the existing culture—our murals and public art are a significant part of that.” Giangrandi had a lot of luck when hunting in Upper West Philadelphia.

Neighborhoods with new developments or areas populated by newcomers are excellent places to start your search. Faller is also a strong advocate for the Mural Arts wall database, emphasizing that using this form and submitting your walls is a valuable tool in finding the perfect wall for a project.

Click Here to access the Mural Arts wall submission form.

Get the Owners on Your Side 

There are a couple of ways to ensure a mural project goes as smoothly as possible. Giangrandi suggests searching for a building with one owner as the best way to go. Specifically, residential buildings or apartment complexes usually have one owner and are the easiest to choose from. This way, we only have one person to get approval from, rather than several who may disagree with each other.

Another way to get the owner on our side is to involve them in the process. Tell them step by step what the process is like, explain the role of a project manager, and involve them in artistic decision-making. This will keep them happy and make for an overall easier process.

Getting enthusiastic, in general, will make the process easier. Remember that this is not just about Mural Arts. This is about adding art to a neighborhood. People will see it on their way to work, kids will pass it on their way to school, and public art has a way of making its way into a community’s day-to-day life.

Final Advice 

If we are still having trouble or are lost on where to start, we take some advice from our Executive Director, Jane Golden. “There is an artform to being a good wall hunter. First, you have to love getting out and about. Second, you need an eye for walls that face traffic, have a smooth surface, and have room for a boom lift. I personally love wall hunting and find myself doing this no matter what city I am in. I think, ‘There is a great wall for a mural.’”