Philadelphia Zoo and Mural Arts Dedicate New Mural Aimed at Connecting the Community to Conservation
Philadelphia Zoo and Mural Arts are thrilled to dedicate and unveil brand-new works of art aimed at connecting the surrounding community to the Zoo and highlighting the vital conservation work of the Zoo.
The mural, painted by artists Eurhi Jones and Dave McShane with designs chosen by the surrounding neighborhoods, uses bright, jubilant colors to showcase the ecosystem that humans and animals share to depict a future where people and wildlife thrive together. The art also invites the Zoo’s nearest neighbors to learn more about how the Zoo and its 1,900 animals can be a more present part of their lives.
“Philadelphia Zoo has been a part of the fabric of Philadelphia since we opened our gates in 1874,” said Philadelphia Zoo President & CEO Dr. Jo-Elle Mogerman. “This mural serves as a reminder of our partnership and that the Zoo is a resource to them and the rest of the region as a place to joyfully connect with nature and wildlife. We are proud to be a part of and support our nearest neighbors in West Philly.”
“At Mural Arts, we believe deeply in art’s ability to shine a light on urgent causes and spark dialogue around complex issues—like envisioning a world where humans and animals thrive together,” said Jane Golden, Executive Director of Mural Arts Philadelphia. “This project is a powerful reflection of our mission, especially as it transforms the 34th Street fence—just outside the Zoo—into a vibrant showcase of the Zoo’s Conservation in Action programming across 10 distinct mural panels. These new works will be unveiled with the 34th Street Bridge and Zoo Drive murals as a striking backdrop at the Frog Lot, highlighting our ongoing collaboration with the Zoo and our shared commitment to education, beauty, and impact.”
Philadelphia Zoo partnered with Mural Arts to create a series of conservation panels depicting the Zoo's various conservation efforts around the globe.
The full scope of this project includes a mural on the 34th Street bridge, a mural on Zoological Drive next to the Zoo’s Frog Parking Lot, and ten custom 5’x10’ of art that highlight the Zoo’s conservation work.
On the bridge, Jones and McShane leaned fully into the metal animal shapes that already existed and built upon them, creating different sizes of the same animal to depict animal families alongside silhouettes of skipping children. Animals include Galapagos tortoises, southern white rhinos, and golden lion tamarins, all animals that currently live at the Zoo. Tulips have become a key signal of Mantua and can be found throughout the piece. On Zoological Drive, this theme continues with eyes added to depict the connection individuals and animals can make with one another while visiting the Zoo. Along 34th Street, the panels highlight the worldwide conservation projects supported by the Zoo, as well as the different ways humans and animals rely on each other.
