Tim Spencer: Son of Mantua

Tim Spencer: Son of Mantua by artist Willis Humphrey is a tribute to Tim Spencer. Spencer was raised in the Mantua neighborhood of Philadelphia, where the mural is located. He engaged youth in the community through arts, sports, and education. Spencer was appointed the first director of the Philadelphia Anti-Graffiti Network (PAGN) when it was founded by Mayor Wilson Goode in 1984. PAGN is the precursor to the organization now known as Mural Arts Philadelphia. Spencer passed away in 1996.

A previous mural of Spencer was partially covered by new construction and removed in 2014. The community wanted to make sure that Spencer’s legacy would not be forgotten so they petitioned to have a new mural created nearby.

The artist chose a vibrant and colorful pallet for the reenvisioned mural to highlighting the youth that Spencer served. The green, red, and black colors signify Spencer’s strong love of his African roots and heritage. Stairs represent the paths that Spencer opened up for many of the youth he mentored and worked with and the mountains represent the heights one can reach. Humphrey also incorporated youth in the background actively engaged in the activities that Spencer implemented in Philadelphia.