Mural Arts Philadelphia dedicated Continuum, a new mural painted on the outside of the Northeast Services Hub, 6434 Castor Ave.
The mural, by artist LaToya Peoples, is on the Hellerman Street side of the Hub. Peoples was assisted by April Greene and Anthony Warrick.
The mural features a Lenape beadwork pattern, representing the original inhabitants and stewards of the region; three creeks that meet near the site – the Pennypack, the Tacony and the Wissinoming – that are home to the various native flowers shown throughout the mural; rowhomes signifying the construction boom of the 1950s; and five faces depicting the diversity of the neighborhood and looking together toward a shared goal of a thriving community.
“We have a beautiful mural. Let’s hear it for Philly with thousands of murals,” said Jane Golden, Mural Arts executive director.
Golden spoke of the power of arts. She noted that Mural Arts has a space in the hub and pointed out Barb Baur, program manager at Tacony LAB Community Art Center, a program of Mural Arts.
State Rep. Jared Solomon, holding his 2-year-old daughter Charlotte, likes the mural because it honors both the baby boom and rowhome construction and the present day. He believes the mural will be an inspiration to uplift the community.
“It is more than just a beautiful portrait of our community,” he said.
Two of the five people depicted on the mural were in attendance: Ericka Stewart, Economic Development Supervisor, Oxford Circle Christian Community Development Association, and Pearl Huynh, president of Northeast Philadelphia Chinese Association. ••
