Our Market Ancestor: Betty Ann Mongelluzo

Our Market Ancestor: Betty Ann Mongulluzo by artist Michelle Angela Ortiz is located in the Bella Vista neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As part of the Our Market Ancestors mural series, this mural honors Betty Ann Mongelluzzo. Aunt Betty Ann owned a florist in the Market for 30 years. She was the granddaughter of Irish and Swedish immigrants and was born and raised on 9th Street. Her niece Patricia Ciliberti Becker a.k.a. Cookie worked with her aunt and continues the tradition of weaving palms for Palm Sunday. Aunt Betty Ann and Cookie provided the flowers for the procession of Saints, church events, and special occasions for the community.

Part of Our Market a community-centered, multi-layered, multi-year public art project created and led by artist Michelle Angela Ortiz. The project was developed in April 2019. Our Market is focused on supporting the im(migrant) vendors, business owners, and neighbors that work and reside in the 9th Street Market, the artist’s home for 40+ years. The Project invests in the 9th Street Market by offering creative community strategies to tackle the issues of gentrification, racism, displacement, and erasure.

The Our Market Project is supported with lead funding from the William Penn Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Mural Arts Program. Additional support is provided by the Hearthland Foundation, the Leeway Foundation in partnership with the Bella Vista Neighborhood Association and Philadelphia250 and Visit Philadelphia. Past support has been provided by the National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures Catalyst for Change Grant , Art is Essential Grant, and the Southwest Folklife Alliance.