Philly is gaining a reputation, not for its boisterous, bold fandom (this time) but for its expressive, expansive array of public art. The city is home to a staggering 4,000+ murals, which pepper all corners of the city neighborhoods and invite onlookers to dwell, to remember, to ask questions and to delight in their brilliance.
Mural Arts Philadelphia is at the core of the city’s ongoing public art initiatives, which unite artists and resident communities in beautifying the City of Brotherly Love. Philadelphia was recently voted USA Today’s “Best City for Street Art” in the country for the third time in four years, a remarkable achievement and indicator of just how developed its art scene has become. In fact, Philadelphia has more murals than any other city in the world!
This got us wondering: what are the city’s best food murals? In a city so brimming with culinary history and innovation, we decided to explore the intersection of Philly food and art and we were not disappointed. The pieces we found explore food justice, celebrate local food systems and the people behind them, and honor the city’s rich tapestry of cultures and cuisines. Check out a map of these food murals and info about each one below, and plan yourself a tour!
More than Food by Carlos “Calo” Rosa (South Philadelphia)
This bright and energetic 2023 mural depicts the mission of Philabundance while showing the movement of food along its journey through the food bank warehouses, the volunteers’s hands and amidst the community served. Artist Calo Rosa‘s signature vibrant street art style shines through. 3616 S. Galloway St., Philadelphia (facing Pattison Ave.).
What Makes Things Grow by John Lewis (South Philadelphia)
This mural on the side of ShopRite of Oregon Ave. portrays where food comes from, including the people and labor behind what we find on the shelves. It shows where food’s journey begins, from planting to harvesting. Philly-based artist Lewis has told visual stories with his murals in the region for over 30 years. 24th St. & Oregon Ave., Philadelphia.
Nature Matching System by Tattfoo Tan (South Philadelphia)
Tan worked with young people at the Southeast by Southeast project space for refugees and immigrants as well as local high school students to design this interesting, interactive color chart of fruit and vegetable shades like squash blossom, red bell pepper and persimmon. The text, “Remember to take your daily dose of color” is written in English, Karen, Chin and Nepali, which are all spoken in the local community. Community-focused Tan engages in social, cultural and artistic practices while focusing on ecology, sustainability and healthy living. 641 Snyder Ave., Philadelphia.
An Ode to 9th Street by Michelle Angela Ortiz (Bella Vista)
This mural offers a kaleidoscope of images capturing the essence of the historic and thriving Italian Market. It’s based upon stories from the Our Market Project, which artist Ortiz founded to revitalize the Market and amplify the voices of its cultural legacy. 1001 S. 9th St., Philadelphia.
The People’s Harvest by Ernel Martinez (Logan Square)
Tucked underneath JFK Boulevard on 23rd St. is a showstopping mural produced in partnership with The GIANT Company. The mural’s imagery is directly informed by public forums and workshops about food system reform held by Amber Art and Design and partners like Farmer Jawn, The People’s Kitchen and The Rodale Institute, who it features! You’ll find Martinez‘s engaging, inspiring murals all over Philadelphia – he’s produced over 40 of them and counting. N. 23rd Street & JFK Boulevard, Philadelphia.
Taste of Summer by Ann Northrup (Washington Square West)
This mural on the side of Michelin-recommended Vetri Cucina depicts a romantic, natural scene with people dining outside in front of bucolic fields and pastures. It communicates Vetri’s beliefs that environment is central to one’s food experience. Northrup has produced a number of mural projects in conversation with Philadelphia communities and shares her artistic expertise with students of all ages and backgrounds. 1312 Spruce St., Philadelphia.
Hope Begins with a Meal by Eurhi Jones and David McShane (Chinatown)
The cheery and nourishing imagery in this Philly House mural radiates out along sunbeams from a central depiction of a robin feeding its baby at the sun’s center. It evokes optimism and peace in a busy, buzzy part of the city. Both artists Jones and McShane have worked with Mural Arts for over 20 years and collaborated to produce this joyful piece. 298 N. 13th St., Philadelphia (rear of building, facing Pearl St.).
La Chinesca by Saoka, Jose Bustamante (BUSTA) and Imse (Chinatown)
This graffiti-style mural along the back alley of the restaurant depicts the melding of Mexican-inspired food and the Chinatown neighborhood (aka La Chinesca) in which it sits. It draws inspiration from the Mexi-Cali culture in Northern Baja fused with Chinese American influences. It fuses the complementary styles of artists Saoka, BUSTA and Imse into an energetic and expressive work of art. 1039 Spring Garden St., Philadelphia.
Cornucopia by Jon Laidacker and Saint James Middle School Students (Nicetown)
This mural splashes fruits and vegetables across the side of ShopRite at Fox Street in the Nicetown area of Philadelphia. The piles of fresh, colorful produce is set on a table with a backdrop of the city skyline. Artist Laidacker has painted large-scale murals throughout Pennsylvania as an artist-in-residents with the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. 3400 Fox St. Unit A, Philadelphia.
Seeds of Sharswood by Cindy Lozito and De’von “Divine” Downes (Sharswood)
This uplifting mural full of cheery sunflowers and gardeners showcases the ethos of Sanctuary Farm, which grows organic produce and promotes community wellness. It features the organization’s founders, it’s work and some of its colorful crops. Mural designer Lozito is a visual storyteller and illustrator and lead muralist Downes is a nonbinary, multidisciplinary artist who promotes healing, wellness and connection through public art. 2337 W. Berks St., Philadelphia.
You Can Be Stronger than Diabetes by Kristin Groenveld (Fishtown)
This public health mural targets a neighborhood with the highest rates of diabetes. It emphasizes nutrition with a beautiful fish composed of various fruits and veggies as well as elements – like gardens, a market, a farm – contributed by community members. Artist Groenveld is founder of Art Sphere, which inspires youth and reaches underserved communities in Philadelphia through artistic opportunities. 1706 Frankford Ave., Philadelphia.
A Celebration of Community by Jane Degenhardt-Kutzer (West Philadelphia)
This beloved and heartwarming mural by muralist and children’s book illustrator, Degenhardt-Kutzer, depicts a sweet couple embracing as they stand with the bounty of their garden, which they doted upon with T.L.C. The two lived in the home upon which the mural is painted. 3 S. 44th St., Philadelphia.
Sowing Desire by Sheena Garcia, Pauline Houston McCall, Wanda Payne and Priscilla Bell Lamberty (West Philadelphia)
This ode to West Philly on a wall of a Fresh Grocer honors the women who live there, its legacy of community gardens and the value of fresh food in daily life. Artists Garcia, McCall and Payne grew up and live in the neighborhood and worked with North Philadelphia-born Lamberty on this piece. The poetry portion is by mother and daughter pair Octavia McBride Ahebe and Sojourner Ahebe, whose breathtaking verses weave the local urban gardening legacy with ancestral heritage. 5601 Chestnut St., Philadelphia.
Want to work up a sweat (and an appetite for some great grub) while viewing murals in the city? Check out Mural Mile’s guided runs, which take you and a pack of fellow joggers on a jaunt through the city to see a number of murals up close and personal.
What’s your favorite Philly mural – food-themed or otherwise? Tell us in the comments below or join the conversation on PA Eats’ Facebook and Instagram pages.
- Feature/ Seeds of Sharswood photo: Sanctuary Farm Phila
- More than Food photo: Calo Rosa for Mural Arts & Philabundance
- Taste of Summer photo: Deloris Clark-Cheaney
- All other photos: Leigh Green
