First Lady Susan Corbett Tours Mural Arts Program in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- First Lady Susan Corbett today visited several murals created by Philadelphia's Mural Arts Program. Through the program, more than 3,500 murals have been painted on buildings throughout the city by residents of all ages. 

"Philadelphia's Mural Arts Program has transformed the exterior of buildings into beautiful works of art," said Susan Corbett. "This program is a true treasure for the city, giving inner city artists a canvas for their talents and allowing them to transform their neighborhoods through the beauty of art."  

Mrs. Corbett began her tour at City Hall and continued in North Philadelphia, seeing a total of 18 murals. The tour included one of the city's most iconic murals, "Common Threads," located at the corner of Broad and Spring Garden streets.  

Mrs. Corbett is the chair of the Pennsylvania Council of the Arts. She has combined her lifelong passion for the arts with her concern for at-risk youth in Pennsylvania.

"Arts programs can help at-risk children by giving them a positive outlet for self-expression and a safe environment to explore other cultures and ideas," said Mrs. Corbett. "The Mural Arts Program is a perfect example of how the arts can be used as a platform to explore important social issues while changing the landscape of the city for everyone to enjoy." 

The Philadelphia Mural Arts Program began in 1984 as a way to stop the city's graffiti crisis by providing young graffiti artists a constructive outlet for their energy and talent. The mural program now serves 1,000 young people each year, allowing them to develop their artistic skills throughout Philadelphia's neighborhoods.

"The Mural Arts Program is honored that Mrs. Corbett, with her tireless efforts to advocate for the arts in our state, is interested in our works of community public art," said Jane Golden, Director of the Mural Arts Program. "We are grateful she is giving us the opportunity to shed more light on the work of our artists, young people, and staff who use art to create social change."

Visit www.muralarts.org to learn more about the program or to see mural photos.

Media contacts: Kirsten Page, Governor's Office; 717-783-1116 or Ashley Chunko, First Lady's Office; 717-787-1965

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the First Lady