Everyday Heroes

Everyday Heroes by artist Jason Slowik is painted on the Murphy Recreation Center located in the South Philadelphia Neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

As Slowik explains in an artist statement, Everyday Heroes is: “a mural that strives to celebrate the potential in any individual in a community to serve as a hero to someone else. Throughout the [community-centered] design process, it became evident that this community is predicated on family values, hard work, and the daily celebration of friendship and community. The more time spent in this area, the more one can see how important strong interpersonal relationships and role models are in the lives of community members, both young and old.”

The individuals depicted in the mural were individuals from the area who were nominated by a community member as being a hero to them. The heroes range from nurses and police officers to loving grandmothers and siblings. As Slowik noted, “The nomination letters were heartfelt and sincere, and the mural is an effort to do these feelings justice.”

The mural was designed and painted by youth in the Big Picture Program. This component incorporates symbols that refer to or evoke the spirit and character of what a hero is to the program participants. The mural also includes a “key” to the mural which identifies the Everyday Heroes, as well as excerpts from the nomination letters.

In all, this mural is a collaboration in which the community brought forth their heroes and the artists, both adults and youth, sought to reflect the grateful admiration of the nominators for the nominees.