Philadelphia’s Newest Mural is Electric

While the news today was certainly glum (to say the least) with new COVID restrictions announced for the city due to skyrocketing cases, there is a bit of extra light this evening thanks to Philly’s latest mural, Electric Philadelphia!

Created by muralist David Guinn and light artist Drew Billiau with support from Mural Arts Philadelphia and Visit Philadelphia, the 8,500-square-foot artwork is located under the I-676 overpass on 6th Street between Race and Wood Streets in Center City. Its completion this month comes after a few delays that pushed back the project’s original finish date of Summer 2019, including delays spurred by the Coronavirus shutdowns last spring.

“The site presented an amazing opportunity to me to represent the overlap of tremendous history with the energetic forward-looking Philadelphia of today,” said Guinn, the mural’s creator in the project’s original press release. “Neon-like LED lights integrated into the mural will transform the underpass into a beacon attracting visitors from all directions and boldly proclaim the city’s industriousness and creativity, both past and present.”

Longtime readers may remember David and Drew’s first collaboration from 2016 on Percy Street in South Philly. And I for one hope this isn’t their last collaboration!