Stunning mural to see next time you go by Norris Square! Created by Betsy Z. Casañas, this artwork is titled Semilla De Patria. It’s located on Howard Street between Susquehanna and Diamond Streets and was completed in the summer of 2021 with Mural Arts Philadelphia.

“The mural is meant to change the narrative on the role that fathers play in Black and brown communities,” a statement from Betsy reads on the Public Art Archive. “Semilla de Patria is a vital piece of art in a neighborhood that is quickly being gentrified. Our stories need to be plastered on the walls of our communities. We are not going anywhere. Many community members, high school students, and interns participated in the production of this painting. The image is of a father with his young daughter surrounded by hibiscus flowers, which is the national flower of Puerto Rico. The peacock feathers, seen throughout the mural, are symbols of charity, faith, rebirth, and hope.”

This has been on my must-photo list for quite some time. In fact, a lot of things have been. And I hope to use this winter to catch up on some long overdue photographing/archiving!