Powelton Village gets green sculpture
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Artist JEFRE's RE:flect sculpture at 38th and Powelton features reflective sides and natural plant bedding.
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Artist Jeffrey Manuel explains to neighbors in Powelton Village the creative process behind the new sculpture.
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Organizers from Mural Arts, Sustainable Communities Initiative West and United Bank of Philadelphia, dedicate the new public art
Organizers in Powelton Village unveiled a new sculpture at 38th and Powelton Thursday afternoon. “RE:flect,” as the sculpture is called, was dedicated by several organizations, including Mural Arts Program, Sustainable Communities Initiative West and United Bank of Philadelphia. Director of the Mural Arts Program Jane Golden offered some inspiring words about the power of public art to beautify communities and bring residents together, with Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell echoing those sentiments.
Artist Jeffrey Manuel, known as JEFRE, explained the creative process behind the living sculpture, which involved several community meetings and youth from Mural Arts’ Youth Corps program offering ideas that informed the design. The two reflective columns are meant to invoke the reflective nature of water, with one pointed to offer a reflection of Center City and the other to offer a view of West Philly, he says.
SCI-West coordinator Iola Harper said this would be the first of many public art installations to come in West Philadelphia, with discussions already happening for projects on 40th Street and 46th Street. More info and some additional photography over at Sci-West’s blog.
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