Mural Fundraising is Under Way

Ken Weinstein of the Mural Arts Program and his wife, Judy, hosted the inaugural mural event Sunday night. They welcomed Chestnut Hill and Mount Airy residents and business owners to learn about the program’s ongoing and continued efforts and goals for the community.

For the greater half of the fundraiser, Jane Golden, Executive Director of the Mural Arts Program, manned an informative presentation covering the artist decision, process of installing the mural, remaining funds needed and how the program intends on allocating those funds.

Jane also discussed the future costs of having a mural, most specifically the long-term maintenance. She explained, “Mural Arts Program is in part a city agency…it’s a city institution and we are committed. It’s public art and our responsibility.”

A specific artist has yet to be narrowed, but this factor to the mural is a key community staple to the process.

“The idea”, Golden discussed, “is Mural Arts will engage four local artists for drawings and ideas.”

The next meeting is intended to showcase those artists’ talents to the community and develop an idea for the mural.

“My sense is that it will be architectural and will fit in with Chestnut Hill,” said Golden on the upcoming design. 

In previous mural installations, the neighbors and business people of the area had a great pull for the outcome of the design and artist. Local Mount Airy resident Tom Baker talked about his community’s involvement with the process.

“The neighbors had a vocal input,” said Baker. He continued that Mount Airy’s mural, as with all murals, “captures what the neighborhood was about.” Baker commented on how the mural celebrated the transition from the town’s once dilapidated condition to its now desirable vibrancy and how the people of the community had a large say in how that was displayed.

In addition to the central focus on the individual goal for Chestnut Hill, Jane and Ken spoke to the larger idea, a Northwest mural tour.

“We’ve turned Philadelphia into an outdoor museum,” commented Golden who continued to discuss how Chestnut Hill and surrounding areas are part of that image.

“People love the idea of making Northwest Philadelphia a mural destination,” continued Weinstein.

“I love the fact that we can have tours” added Golden, “It’s all really positive.” Ken seconded this, commenting that murals in other parts of the city have lowered vandalism, raised property values and increased business revenue and that tours only better these improvements.

In reference to the Chestnut Hill and the Northwest program, Ken said that “we need to see it as one project.”

During a question and answer session, guests were again informed that Chestnut Hill is among one of several communities to have Mural Art Program’s focus for a new mural. A question rose if the completion of the Hill’s mural could be prioritized or hastened through funds. Golden returned this inquiry by excitedly assuring that among other concerns, Chestnut Hill has not, and will not be overlooked.

“You have been on our list,” added Golden, “When you look at our mission from over the years, Chestnut Hill hits every one of our bench marks.”

Weinstein  commended Golden’s proven dedication to the program.

“Most people would retire if they won the lottery. Jane would put murals up all over the area,” chimed Weinstein.

On top of collecting donations Sunday night, business owners already showed interest in developing fundraising endeavors for Chestnut Hill. The most successful fundraiser for the project is Wall Ball, an annual event planned to occur on June 1st.

Ken commented on the night’s significance, “Tonight’s the first step but there are many steps.”

Jane agreed, "Tonight was a great turn out."

If fundraising and planning goes accordingly, Golden is hoping for a quick mural completion. “It’s really possible to have a spring 2012 dedication, and that would be wonderful.”