Persephone and her Imaginary Garden

Persephone and Her Imaginary Garden by artist Joe Brenman is located on the grounds of C.C.A. Baldi Middle School in the Bustleton neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

From Brenman’s artist statement:

“The theme of the mural is the myth of Persephone and her imaginary garden. On the second floor wall facing Veree Road is a stained glass mosaic of Persephone rising from the underworld; the image is 9ft. and is made of multiple colors of similar value. There is also a mosaic image of a sun 6ft. and a tree. The branches of the tree extend into the second story courtyard next to the wall. The branches turn from glass to clay with poetry written by the students. This is above the doorway which enters the courtyard and the imaginary garden. All of the ceramic work in the courtyard was created by the students. There is a wall of tiles installed in a diamond pattern. There are hundreds of ceramic pieces, flowers, animals, birds, leaves and branches. Many of the ceramic images have poetry ‘pressed’ into them, including a ceramic sun over 3ft. and 2 large birds. The walls and floor are painted with flowers and trees. Some of the painted imagery was influenced by East Indian Art. The colors are bright and the space has a joyful and peaceful feeling.”

Location Note: This mural is located on the grounds of a school and may not be available for public viewing.