Regeneration

Regeneration breaks down barriers and builds bridges in Philadelphia’s 22nd district. Artists Jesse Krimes and Russell Craig worked with the Youth Violence Reduction Partnership (YVRP) Guild members from the 22nd district, Philly Urban Creators, returning citizens, and the community to create a perennial space of growth, changing perspectives, recycling and positive connection.

Approaching the complex dynamics of the site necessitated an innovative process of combining two-dimensional and three-dimensional elements to visually activate and transform the space. The site-specific project unifies the Urban Creators’ community garden and SEPTA’s transit system that passes through the neighborhood, visually breaking-down a transit wall that simultaneously divides and connects the 22nd district with the larger community.

The mural reflects the skyline seen above onto the surface of the barrier wall while unifying both views into a new perspective. The three retaining walls that extend off of the SEPTA transit line encompass figurative portraits depicting the local pastor, YVRP Guild participants, and youth from the Philly Urban Creators. Although painted on three separate walls, the figures coalesce into a single community through perspective. The reflected skyline, portraits, and colors installed on the transit walls, next to the community garden, explore systems of connection, time, growth, change, perspective, and regeneration.

Joining the conceptual and creative energy of each participant fostered critical dialog about the criminal justice system, community, and larger value systems. The Guild created large planters that become blocks of color extending into the interactive space of the garden. The artists also instructed drawing classes with Mural Arts’ YVRP Guild, creating still-life drawings of plants grown on-site. The Guild’s drawings are featured on the community garden’s produce market. The central kiosk serves as an educational key connecting the final product with its source.