Starr Garden

Starr Garden by artist Diane Pieri was painted on the recreation center in the Starr Garden Playground located in the Society Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The mural featured a series of simple and abstract flowers based on basic shapes which encouraged viewers to enter the playground to see their entirety. Because of the buildings small size the artist was able to work with the concept of intimate viewing to create a visual experience that was welcoming and inviting.

Star Garden Rec Center is the oldest in the City, established 1895.

The artist held several classes where she explained the concept of unusual, creative flowers based on basic shapes. Each child then invented their own flower, made a template, traced the flower 3-6 times on the wall, and then chose 3 colors and painted their flowers. The staff from the recreation center was invited to do the same.

Because the wall was small, the artist was able to create intimacy.

The building looks different from a distance and the flowers can be discovered when one approaches. The artist feels that this is an important artistic experience for the viewer.

It was replaced by a new mural Twilight Tales in 2013.

Location Note: Mural no longer on view at this location. Replaced by Twilight Tales in 2013.