Manayunk Art Scene

Public Art

Art in Manayunk

Manayunk’s roots of textile mills, the Lenape, the History of Philadelphia, and more have inspired many of the neighborhood murals. Below you will find a curated list of the murals in our district.

NEW - SUMMER 2025

The Fable of the Peregrine Falcon and Red Bellied Turtle

Located on the side wall of Riverside Pizza at 4217 Main Street, this vibrant new mural by César Viveros tells a visual story of the Manayunk Towpath. The piece features two powerful symbols — the falcon and the redbelly turtle — representing strength and wisdom. Surrounded by native flora like winterberries, summersweets, black-eyed Susans, and ferns, the mural honors the natural beauty and resilience of the canal path that runs through the neighborhood. More details on this stunning addition coming soon!

NEW

Akhtarshenas' Manayunk Mural

You’ll find this mural right off the Manayunk Canal Towpath, on the back of Benny Peretti’s Pizza. The mural was freehanded by artist Isabella Akhtarshenas, who illustrated elements of Manayunk’s rich history, including the bridge, the Manayunk Review newspaper, the textile mills, and native animals and plants, among others. In addition to historical references, the mural also features icons representing Manayunk’s current community, such as artists, the yoga and wellness community, and people running or walking dogs along the Towpath. The fish on the right side of the mural symbolizes that “Manayunk” is derived from the Lenape phrase “place to drink,” connecting the mural to the area’s Lenape history.

Industrious Light: Manayunk Canal

Industrious Light: Manayunk Canal, by Phillip Adams with assistance from Mary Henderson and Marcus Hines, takes its inspiration from the Manayunk Canal, which was the first canal begun in the United States. The imagery combines past with present: in the background we see historical images of the canal and the Pennsylvania Railroad, while in the foreground, the canal is given new life and color as nature starts to take over and rewild the waterway.

Manayunk Textile

Manayunk Textile, by Henry Morales, with assistance from Daniel Lipshutz, is a vibrant gateway to the Main Street Corridor in Manayunk. Drawing inspiration from Manayunk’s history as a textile-manufacturing hub and his own family heritage, Morales employs a traditional Guatemalan textile-design motif to pay homage to some of the neighborhood’s natural and architectural iconography

Flower Mural

Created in 2021, artist Lauren West brings a beautiful pop of color along Green Lane. Lauren discusses her choice of the vibrant piece, “Flowers are delicate but resilient. They can grow amongst the cracks in a sidewalk and along a broken path. They offer wildly untamed pops of color in quiet places. They’re lovely. They are a constant reminder that beauty grows with no regard for outside space or time. They grow, and they come back. They come back when they’re picked, trampled and torn or the seasons run their course. For me, they’re a reminder to breathe.”

Manayunk at Dusk

The combined effort of two talented artists resulted in a mural for the books. It features deer, an animal native to Pennsylvania, against a background of many street names found in Manayunk. Catch these deer at 4000 Main Street. “This design really fit this area,” Lovett said. “We just wanted to have an impact.”

"The Liberty Classic" and "The Philadelphia International Championship"

Take a spin down Leverington Ave to see these murals, which were painted in 2019, under the regional rail trestle. These murals depict the men’s and women’s pro races that came through Manayunk for many years. Now, the area marks the beginning of a long climb for those leaving Manayunk or city biking for those coming down the hill. The burst of colors can motivate anyone who needs an extra boost on a long ride.

Philly Marathon

Since 1994, the Philadelphia Marathon has been run by thousands. Located along the route of the race on the outside of the Triumph Building, this mural was painted in 2019 to celebrate the marathon’s history, several iconic sights that the run passes, and the diverse racers who run the race.

Gay Street Alley

A vibrant, pedestrian-only street known for its colorful canopy of rainbow umbrellas suspended overhead. This iconic installation makes Gay Street one of Manayunk’s most photogenic spots — a must-visit for snapping pics and soaking in the neighborhood’s creative spirit.

Sandy's Dream (Ovarian Cancer Mural)

Robin Cohen and Adriana D’Alessandro created The Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation as a tribute to D’Alessandro’s sister, Sandy Rollman, who passed away from advanced ovarian cancer at age 33. Painted in 2005, “Sandy’s Dream” was the first wall painting work to raise cancer awareness in the United States and is located at Propper View Apartments. The mural was restored in 2015, ten years after it was first painted.

I Heart MNYK

Who doesn’t love Manayunk? This mural was made by the community in 2017 and highlights the greatest part of Manayunk – the people. One look at “I Heart MNYK”, and anyone can understand the love that the residents have for this town, as this art features the local businesses, people, and a rainbow of handprints. Appreciate this mural in its full splendor where Cresson and Roxborough Streets meet.

Happy Trails

Completed in 2017, this mural can be spotted at the intersection of Main and Green Streets. This mural, which depicts three bicyclists climbing one of the steepest hills in Manayunk, serves to motivate many of Manayunk’s bikers. Onlookers can see words like community, outdoors, trails, amaze, shop, and play, all words that perfectly describe Manayunk. “In a lot of my pieces, I try to include some affirmation,” McIlwaine said. “I like to put a lot of words in my pieces to give it something a bit more tangible.”

Ring Street Alley

Ring Street comes alive with a seasonal floral overhead installation designed by MDC and Lumos Co., bringing fresh energy throughout the year. Painted picnic tables by Kaitlin McCauley invite you to sit, sip, and relax. Don’t miss the floral mural on Jake’s and Cooper’s by Katie Hansen. This alley is a hidden gem of Manayunk.

Look Long & Look Good

In 2011, Mat Tomezsko, a Philadelphia native and the artist behind the 30 mural panels that make up “Look Long & Look Good,” created portraits that feature people from all walks of life and many points in time. He selected his subjects from faces out of the crowd from historical records, faces he saw in crowds in Manayunk, and children, the future of Manayunk, that he saw strolling the street. These portraits can be found all over Main Street, so keep your eyes peeled! See more photos in the Look Long & Look Good SCAVENGER HUNT

Diversity Life in Manayunk

Located past the corner of Main and Green, this community-made mural celebrates the diversity of life that is found in Manayunk. This mural showcases local businesses and the residents who love the community. The mural is dedicated to the memory of police officer Garrett Farrell, who died in the line of duty protecting the citizens of Philadelphia.

Connaroe Street Alley

This enchanting alleyway features glowing floral designs suspended overhead, creating a magical atmosphere — especially after dark. Connaroe Street transforms at night with illuminated blooms, making it a standout stop on your Manayunk art walk.

Station Street Alley

A quiet, tucked-away passage connecting Gay and Levering Streets, parallel to Main. Station Street features an overhead vine installation and a fence panted with mural “Coffee Plants” by Janine Gasarowski – inspired by all of the neighborhood cafes. Perfect for a peaceful detour or a moment of artistic discovery.

Road Race (Aluminum Bikes)

Made by Artesano Ironworks, a local small business, these aluminum bikes painted an array of colors are an homage to the cyclists who frequent the streets of Manayunk. Placed on the brick wall at GJ Littlewood in 2021, these bikes pop against the red background. This piece can be seen when strolling (or pedaling) down Shurs Lane.

Concrete Tree/Coinciding Currents

In 2016, artists Beth Clevenstine and Paul Santoleri continued their series of work along the Manayunk towpath. For several years, the 2 artists have created artwork along the Schuylkill Canal in Manayunk. Their latest work expands on their recent collaboration Water Under the Bridge. Along the towpath, just north of Fountain street is Paul Santoleri’s Concrete Tree. In a space once consumed by heavy industry, Santoleri “planted” a concrete tree along a long retaining wall. The relief sculpture symbolizes the resilience of nature, while giving a nod to the industrial past. Adjacent painting and mosaic show some of the flora and fauna above and below the waters of the canal.A path once used by oxen to pull barges to the mills and factories along the canal is now enjoyed by walkers, joggers and bikers. As the landscape has recovered, plants and wildlife have quickly filled the niches left open by a cleaner, quieter ecosystem. At its core, Concrete Tree speaks to the contradiction of nature as both fragile, and as an inexorable force.

Tulpenhanink nta

“Tulpehanink nta,” which means “turtle creek” in Lenape, is a nod to the Lenape, who are native to this area. This art combines both paint and mosaics, and it features a local turtle, a catfish, and milkweed, which attracts monarchs. “I try to respond to the situation at hand, so my work often varies from piece to piece,” Santoleri said. “I believe there is a consistent thread that comes out of my hands. These are tiny mosaic pieces and I have not used that technique in many other public artworks.”

Rainbow Bridge

In June of 2020, Michelle Smith, also known as Sugar Cadavers, installed “Rainbow Bridge” at the archway found at the intersection of Shurs Lane and Cresson. “I designed this mural to be playful and colorful and to spark joy and hope in the people who pass by it,” said Streets. The bright rainbow of colors creates a happy, positive mood in any viewer.

Birds of Fairmount Park

Stop by Canal View Park to take in these mosaics. Created by Josey Stamm and students from Gesu School in 2001, “Birds of Fairmount Park” contains 83 bird species found in Fairmount Park. A second mosaic, “Animals of Fairmount Park”, features the animals of Fairmount Park and can be found at the rear facade of the building. One look at these works of art makes you feel like you’re in the park!

Missing a Mural?

If you know of a public art piece not listed on this page, send us a message!