Stearne Stars Lead the Way

Stearne Stars Lead the Way by artist Walter Edmonds is located at the Allen M. Stearne Elementary School in the East Frankford neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It depicts a group of students reaching for the stars – some looking thoughtful and meditative. Students are shown in a galaxy with stars and planets, a yellow field with flowers and stars, with mountains in the distance. The students are surrounded by homes, with the Philadelphia skyline visible on the horizon. On the right the imagery changes to a forest with a blazing sun in the sky. Throughout the mural, stars are twinkling.

Edmond’s students worked directly on the mural, designing some elements. A quote provided by a Stearne teacher during a mural planning discussion is also incorporated:

“Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal.”

–Ralph Vaull Starr

This mural was part of a five year partnership between the School District of Philadelphia and Mural Arts Philadelphia which worked to provide murals for 100 schools and their surrounding communities.

Location Note: This mural is inside a school building, and therefore not accessible for public viewing.