Wall of Angels

Wall of Angels by artist James Giles was located in the Stenton neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This mosaic mural focused on the challenges that face the neighborhood. At the same time, it represented the importance of heritage and the human ability to find strength in the past and the good that happens today. The project was a starting point for other neighborhood activities with plans to work with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society as well as the Youth Science and Nature Club to turn the vacant lot in front of the mural into a sitting park.

The mural was designed with mosaic tiles and mirrors with photo images of particular community elders and volunteers who have worked diligently to improve the quality of life in the neighborhood. The lot below the mural became known as the Angels Courtyard.

One of the first mosaic murals commissioned by Mural Arts Philadelphia, this mural as an obvious spiritual theme. Inlaid within a painted floral frame the individual pieces of cut ceramic for this mosaic come together to form the bodies of three angels. Their arms are outstretched towards each other and the viewer, suggesting a welcoming embrace.

Location Note: Mural no longer on view at this location (lost to demolition ca. 2020).