Many Voices One Song: Beauty and Strength in Diversity

Many Voices One Song: Beauty and Strength in Diversity by artist David McShane is a series of murals painted on the exterior of the Gilbert Spruance School in the Oxford Circle section of Northeast Philadelphia. The murals were completed as part of the Philadelphia Eagles Youth Partnership 2015 Annual Playground Build. Members of the Sprruance School community were involved in the process of selecting and developing the theme for the project that reflected the school’s diversity. They selected quotes to include in the design, such as Maya Angelou’s “In diversity, there is beauty and there is strength.” This idea became the central metaphor, focusing around the theme ‘many voices but one song.’
The Mandala shape, commonly pictured in Eastern religious iconography, appears throughout the series of murals, conveying a cosmic theme of how we bring people together and connect to the universe. Birds also appear as symbols of flight and exploration, that might express a range of meanings in different cultures, along with flowers that have varied meanings — with growth as being central in many cultures. Lions are also included, portraying strength. The word “voice” is included, written in different languages. The walls surrounding the playground include some Eagles players and some images of children playing football, soccer and basketball. Many drawings from students have also been included in the final design.

Since 1999, the Philadelphia Eagles (as the Philadelphia Eagles Youth Partnership from 1999-2015) has funded an annual Playground Build that includes the entire Philadelphia Eagles organization, including players, coaches, and staff members, with a Philadelphia school community to transform asphalt school yards into beautiful, imaginative and safe spaces for play and recreation. Mural Arts Philadelphia joined this partnership between the Eagles and the School District of Philadelphia in 2002. Mural Arts leads the development and production of the murals and mosaic tables that are part of these projects. Once a school is selected, Mural Arts leads an introductory pep rally at the school, as well as drawing workshops and after-school art programs with students to involve the school community in developing a theme for the project. Murals are then designed around the theme, often incorporating student drawings and artwork. The projects also include installations of play structures and a mini Eagles turf field in addition to the colorful murals and mosaic tables.