The Spirit of Gaudenzia

The Gaudenzia Washington House is a shelter and treatment center at 1516 Washington Avenue in South Philadelphia for women and children affected by addiction. Artist Nathaniel Lee produced a small series of murals inside the shelter to add color and brightness to the first floor.

The project’s centerpiece is The Spirit of Gaudenzia, a mural in the reception area that features a former resident of the shelter with her two children standing in front of a horse that resembles the legendary mare Gaudenzia, the organization’s namesake. The family stands on a surface of crocus flowers, which artist Nathaniel Lee chose to convey a feeling of blooming and rebirth. To complement this mural, Lee extended the design down the long hallway to the living room and the dining room with colors and floral designs that reference the main mural..

Location Note: This is an interior mural that may not be accessible for public viewing.