About the Project 

Our Grassroots uses area flora to bring color and vibrancy to a drab industrial stretch between the Germantown and Nicetown neighborhoods. Artist Rebecca Schultz took inspiration from plants in the two neighborhoods, from centuries-old trees to newly planted park grass, from thriving community gardens to spontaneous vegetation piercing paved lots. She translated the images into a range of visual styles, then asked community members to create their own interpretations of local plants with torn paper collages, contour line drawing, stamping, and scratch prints. These works were then incorporated into a single design collaged together. The art is anchored by trees because residents in both neighborhoods cited them as important to their daily lives.