Getting to Green: Routes to Roots

About the Project

Getting to Green: Routes to Roots is a multi-disciplinary public art project in Philadelphia that encourages residents to explore the city’s green spaces through public transit, promoting the discovery and rediscovery of these areas along how to access them. The artist team of Shira Walinsky and Laura Deutch is guiding this initiative, creatively forging connections between urban dwellers and the city’s natural gems. Walinsky’s unique visual artworks are used to inspire and activate riders, including a captivating bus wrap, eye-catching posters in bus shelters, and hand-drawn printed maps. Two chartered bus rides and four smaller trips constituted adventures on the 38, 64, 7, and 9 bus routes. Deutch’s video profiles document the experiences of diverse riders along the routes in tandem with Walinsky’s visuals as a backdrop to these compelling narratives.

Getting to Green stands as a testament to the seamless integration of art, transit, and nature, inviting residents to embark on a transformative journey by leaving their cars at home in lieu of taking “routes to roots” to Philadelphia’s vibrant green spaces.

Get engaged! View project highlights to learn about the innovative ways Getting to Green is using art to engage riders

For over two months, SEPTA’s ‘special wrapped bus’ featured Shira Walinsky’s Getting to Green design on Route 7, promoting public transit as a means to access green spaces. The bus served as a focal point for coordinated excursions along the “river to river” route, complemented by posters in selected bus shelters that enhanced opportunities for riders to explore inspiring journeys into the city’s green spaces.

Follow us on Instagram

Follow us on Instagram @gettingtogreen.phl to learn more about public events, artwork and videos happening throughout the project! For up to date events, resources and highlighted routes check out our Linktr.ee

Project Manager: Cindy Burstein | gettingtogreen@muralarts.org

Getting to Green press coverage: read all about it!

• SEPTA and Mural Arts team up on ‘Routes to Roots’
• Philadelphia Magazine Best Civic Art Project, 2024
• SEPTA’s Urban Canvas: Elevating Commuter Experiences Through Artistic Collaborations
• New map offers transit-based guide to Philly green spaces
• Septa Sustainability Playbook, 2024 (page 54)
• Art project encourages Philly residents to take the bus to city parks