The Journey

The Journey by artist Meg Saligman was located in the Franklintown neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The journey referred to in the mural’s title represents the stages of a child’s recovery while residing in the Children’s Crisis Treatment Center, which assists at-risk children and their families. The center is the building on which the mural is painted.

The Journey begins in the center arch reflecting that the child must also begin from the inside. As the composition moves outward, the figures become more animated and the background more dense. Yellow drapery, which some say looks like smoke, links the journey through the five panels, symbolizing hope. At the top of mural are other symbols of change and rebirth including: a lamb and hatching eggs and a carp fish, which represent perseverance; a butterfly and a bird, signifying hope and inspiration. These symbols are found in children’s drawings and they are spoken about in counseling.

The Children’s Crisis Treatment Center was closed in 2016 and the building was demolished in 2016 to make way for new construction.

Location Note: Mural no longer on view at this location (lost to demolition ca. 2016).