Murals of Manayunk
Manayunk has a rich history, especially within the arts. Manayunk's roots of textile mills, the Lenape, the History of Philadelphia, and more have inspired many of the neighborhood murals. Below you will find a curated list of the murals in our district.
See a Google map of the murals tour HERE.
NEW MURAL! Shurs Lane
info coming soon...
118 Green Lane : Flower Mural
Created in 2021, artist Lauren West brings a beautiful pop of color along Green Lane. Lauren discusses her choice of the vibrant piece, “Flowers are delicate but resilient. They can grow amongst the cracks in a sidewalk and along a broken path. They offer wildly untamed pops of color in quiet places. They’re lovely. They are a constant reminder that beauty grows with no regard for outside space or time. They grow, and they come back. They come back when they’re picked, trampled and torn or the seasons run their course. For me, they’re a reminder to breathe.”
4000 Main Street: “Manayunk at Dusk” - Evan Lovett & Glossblack
The combined effort of two talented artists resulted in a mural for the books. It features deer, an animal native to this Pennsylvania, against a background of many street names found in Manayunk. Catch these deer at 4000 Main Street. “This design really fit this area,” Lovett said. “We just wanted to have an impact.”
3901 Main Street: “Philly Marathon” - Kala Hagoplan
Since 1994, the Philadelphia Marathon has been run by thousands. Located along the route of the race on the outside of the Triumph Building, this mural was painted in 2019 to celebrate the marathon’s history, several iconic sights that the run passes, and the diverse racers who run the race.
4595 Main Street :"The Liberty Classic" and "The Philadelphia International Championship" - Eleanor
Take a spin down Leverington Ave to see these murals, which were painted in 2019, under the regional rail trestle. These murals depict the men’s and women’s pro races that came through Manayunk for many years. Now, the area marks the beginning of a long climb for those leaving Manayunk or city biking for those coming down the hill. The burst of colors can motivate anyone who needs an extra boost on a long ride.
107 Levering :“Sandy's Dream (Ovarian Cancer Mural)” - Ann Northrup
Robin Cohen and Adriana D’Alessandro created The Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation as a tribute to D’Alessandro’s sister, Sandy Rollman, who passed away from advanced ovarian cancer at age 33. Painted in 2005, “Sandy's Dream” was the first wall painting work to raise cancer awareness in the United States and is located at Proper View Apartments. The mural was restored in 2015, ten years after it was first painted.
113 Roxborough Ave: “I Heart MNYK” - SplashLab Arts and residents of Manayunk
Who doesn’t love Manayunk? This mural was made by the community in 2017 and highlights the greatest part of Manayunk - the people. One look at “I Heart MNYK”, and anyone can understand the love that the residents have for this town, as this art features the local businesses, people, and a rainbow of handprints. Appreciate this mural in its full splendor where Cresson and Roxborough Streets meet.
114 Green Lane: “Happy Trails” - Alloyius McIlwaine
Completed in 2017, this mural can be spotted at the intersection of Main and Green Streets. This mural, which depicts three bicyclists climbing one of the steepest hills in Manayunk, serves to motivate many of Manayunk’s bikers. Onlookers can see words like community, outdoors, trails, amaze, shop, and play, all words that perfectly describe Manayunk. “In a lot of my pieces, I try to include some affirmation,” McIlwaine said. “I like to put a lot of words in my pieces to give it something a bit more tangible.”
Multiple Locations: “Look Long & Look Good” - Mat Tomesko:
In 2011, Mat Tomezsko, a Philadelphia native and the artist behind the 30 mural panels that make up “Look Long & Look Good,” created portraits that feature people from all walks of life and many points in time. He selected his subjects from faces out of the crowd from historical records, faces he saw in crowds in Manayunk, and children, the future of Manayunk, that he saw strolling the street. These portraits can be found all over Main Street, so keep your eyes peeled!
See more photos in the Look Long & Look Good SCAVENGER HUNT
Green & Main: “Diversity Life in Manayunk” - Community
Located past the corner of Main and Green, this community-made mural celebrates the diversity of life that is found in Manayunk. This mural showcases local businesses and the residents who love the community. The mural is dedicated to the memory of police officer Garrett Farrell, who died in the line of duty protecting the citizens of Philadelphia.
4410 Main Street: "Amor Flota" - Gloss Black
Look for this mural at the back of the Taqueria Amor along the towpath. "Amor Flota" shows a heart made of letters floating on the side of the building. This mural was painted in 2020. "Taqueria Amor’s new name comes with a new mural ‘El Amor Flota’," said artist Jimmy M.
10 Shurs Lane: “Road Race (Aluminum Bikes)” - Artesano Ironworks
Made by Artesano Ironworks, a local small business, these aluminum bikes painted an array of colors are an homage to the cyclists who frequent the streets of Manayunk. Placed on the brick wall at GJ Littlewood in 2021, these bikes pop against the red background. This piece can be seen when strolling (or pedaling) down Shurs Lane.
Cotton Street Bridge: Tulpenhanink nta - Located at the Cotton Street Bridge
“Tulpehanink nta,” which means “turtle creek” in Lenape, is a nod to the Lenape, who are native to this area. This art combines both paint and mosaics, and it features a local turtle, a catfish, and milkweed, which attracts monarchs. “I try to respond to the situation at hand, so my work often varies from piece to piece,” Santoleri said. “I believe there is a consistent thread that comes out of my hands. These are tiny mosaic pieces and I have not used that technique in many other public artworks.”
Shurs Lane: Rainbow Bridge
In June of 2020, Michelle Smith, also known as Sugar Cadavers, installed “Rainbow Bridge” at the archway found at the intersection of Shurs Lane and Cresson. “I designed this mural to be playful and colorful and to spark joy and hope in the people who pass by it,” said Streets. The bright rainbow of colors creates a happy, positive mood in any viewer.
4418 Main Street: Birds of Fairmount Park
Stop by Canal View Park to take in these mosaics. Created by Josey Stamm and student s from Gesu School in 2001, “Birds of Fairmount Park" contains 83 bird species found in Fairmount Park. A second mosaic, "Animals of Fairmount Park”, features the animals of Fairmount Park and can be found at the rear facade of the building. One look at these works of art makes you feel like you’re in the park!
Towpath: Concrete Tree/Coinciding Currents
- In 2016, artists Beth Clevenstine and Paul Santoleri continued their series of work along the Manayunk towpath. For several years, the 2 artists have created artwork along the Schuylkill Canal in Manayunk. Their latest work expands on their recent collaboration Water Under the Bridge. Along the towpath, just north of Fountain street is Paul Santoleri’s Concrete Tree. In a space once consumed by heavy industry, Santoleri “planted” a concrete tree along a long retaining wall. The relief sculpture symbolizes the resilience of nature, while giving a nod to the industrial past. Adjacent painting and mosaic show some of the flora and fauna above and below the waters of the canal.A path once used by oxen to pull barges to the mills and factories along the canal is now enjoyed by walkers, joggers and bikers. As the landscape has recovered, plants and wildlife have quickly filled the niches left open by a cleaner, quieter ecosystem. At its core, Concrete Tree speaks to the contradiction of nature as both fragile, and as an inexorable force.
Information on new murals will continue being added.