Holding Grandmother’s Quilt

Holding Grandmother's Quilt (West Wall) by Don Gensler. Photo by Jack Ramsdale.

  • location 3932 Aspen Street
  • Neighborhood

    West Philadelphia

  • completion date

    September 15, 2004

Holding Grandmother's Quilt (East Wall) by Don Gensler. Photo by Jack Ramsdale.

About the Project 

An abandoned lot-turned into a community park is the backdrop for this mural, which celebrates community leader Miss Jones and the value of intergenerational learning.  It came to fruition through a collaboration among Philadelphia Green, the City Managing director’s office and students in Jane Golden’s Big Picture class at the University of Pennsylvania.

The main image of the quilt depicted in this mural symbolizes intergenerational learning – elders sharing knowledge with young people. The central figure is Miss Jones, a community member for over 35 years. The sitting garden pays tribute to another community member, Albert Dixon. Carrying on the legacy of the mural, a gardening club of neighborhood children has been formed as an outgrowth of the project.

Sponsors 

Ford Foundation
University of Pennsylvania