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Oct 2, 2008 4:28 pm US/Eastern
Behind These Walls: Mural Arts Celebrates 25 Years
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
In this community and around the world, the city of Philadelphia is known as the city of murals.
"They're really everywhere ... from big, central locations to small, tucked away places in neighborhoods," said Mural Arts Director of Development Kathryn Ott Lovell.
With more than three thousand vibrant depictions, the murals often catch our eye, but rarely stir our thoughts.
"We feel that a lot of people appreciate the murals for their beauty, but we also want people to know about the depth and complexity of our work," explained Lovell.
For twenty-five years, the Mural Arts Program has engaged community members and transformed neighborhoods, telling true stories about real people.
"We work with individuals within communities and it's their story and their faces on those walls," said Lovell.
One of those individuals is West Philadelphia resident Mary Ellen Cabry, who was chosen to represent the disabled community as part of the new 'Independence Starts Here' mural on the side of Hahnemann Hospital at Broad and Race Streets.
"I was shocked, but very honored to be asked," said Cabry, who suffers from spina bifida, a birth defect which causes incomplete development of the spine.
An active member of the community, Cabry hopes the image of her in a wheel chair will lead to greater understanding about people with disabilities.
"I'm an outgoing person, I'm sweet and I'll answer any questions you have about me being in the chair," explained Cabry.
Mural artist
Donald Gensler hopes the mural will force the city to confront the issue of disability.
"I hope the idea starts to unfold that people with disabilities are a major part of our city," said Gensler.
In the mean time, the murals serve as a beautiful reminder of the people whose stories often go untold.
For more on the Mural Arts Program and its 25th Birthday celebration,
click here. You can also check out a list of upcoming events, which are free and open to the public.
Go ahead, see what's behind these
walls!
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
