Under the Viaduct
Under the Viaduct is a multi-mural project organized as a “critical community investment” in Philadelphia’s Near North Central Choice Neighborhood Initiative. Bressi, working as a curatorial advisor to Mural Arts Philadelphia, led the selection of artists and development of concepts for eight epic mural walls by three artist teams. The project was part of HUD’s national “choice neighborhood” program.
Date | 2020
Artists |Josh Sarentitis, Patrick Dougher; Andrea Legge; Priscilla Bell, Anthony Torcasio; Brad Carney
Client |Mural Arts Philadelphia
Collaborators | Philadelphia Housing Authority Philadelphia Department of Housing and Community Development
Under the Viaduct, completed at the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, was a complex series of eight murals at four sites in North Philadelphia, with a budget of nearly $1 million. The project involved coordination with SEPTA, Philadelphia’s transit agency, and the Department of Housing and Community Development, as well as multiple approvals from the Philadelphia Art Commission and extensive community engagement.
Bressi led the project in its planning, development, artist selection, and design phases. He played a key role in inter-agency approvals and served as the key liaison with the Art Commission at both the concept and final approval phases. After approvals were in place, he assisted project Manager Maya Curtis, who oversaw day-to-day production.
The artist selections for the four projects were able to balance a mix of seasoned muralists with emerging artists and contemporary artists who did not typically pursue public art commissions. The public engagement process involved numerous community activities, such as workshops for poetry, costume making, and painting pots for houseplants, as well as tabling at community events such as block parties and barbecues.
