Once You Become Fearless Life Becomes Limitless: The William C. Longstreth School Murals
Wrapping the exterior walls of the school, the mural’s design incorporates the school’s mascot, the lion, into many of the designs. Imagery includes symbols related to learning: math, sciences, letters and numbers, alongside inspirational quotes from leaders like George Washington Carver (“Education is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom”) and Maya Angelou (And still I rise . . .”) encouraging the students to strive for excellence in education and in life. Images of birds in flight and students riding spaceships into outer space also suggests the ideas of flying, fearlessness and soaring towards success that the mural seeks to encourage in the community. Drawings from students have been incorporated into the final design.
Since 1999, the Philadelphia Eagles (as the Philadelphia Eagles Youth Partnership from 1999-2015) has funded an annual Playground Build that includes the entire Philadelphia Eagles organization, including players, coaches, and staff members, with a Philadelphia school community to transform asphalt school yards into beautiful, imaginative and safe spaces for play and recreation. Mural Arts Philadelphia joined this partnership between the Eagles and the School District of Philadelphia in 2002. Mural Arts leads the development and production of the murals and mosaic tables that are part of these projects. Once a school is selected, Mural Arts leads an introductory pep rally at the school, as well as drawing workshops and after-school art programs with students to involve the school community in developing a theme for the project. Murals are then designed around the theme, often incorporating student drawings and artwork. The projects also include installations of play structures and a mini Eagles turf field in addition to the colorful murals and mosaic tables.