The art of change: As Philly redevelops, saving its cherished murals

A cautionary tale from South Philly about how rapid development can improve neighborhoods, but also dishonor them at the same time.

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A February, 2018 photo of the

A February, 2018 photo of the "Stop the Violence" mural at 20th and Fernon streets, is seen from Ralph Brooks Park, named after a 7-year-old Point Breeze resident who was paralyzed by a bullet in 1998. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

The “Stop the Violence” mural in South Philly’s Point Breeze neighborhood was painted in 1989 to honor more than two-dozen neighborhood children killed by gunfire. Nearly 30 years later, the community was outraged when a developer rehabbing the building the mural was painted on began taking it down, claiming the building was on the verge of collapse. On this episode of The Why, Mural Arts Executive Director Jane Golden joins us to talk about how rapid development can improve neighborhoods, but also dishonor them at the same time — and what community members can do when pieces of public art are threatened.

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