When you think “Philadelphia”, you might think of two things: its breathtaking murals and its die-hard love for the Eagles. With more than 4,000 murals across the city and an electrified fan base gearing up for the Super Bowl, the city’s excitement is reaching a fever pitch.
That energy now is immortalized in a brand-new mural, unveiled Tuesday, Feb. 4, in a collaboration between Mural Arts Philadelphia and local artist Tiff Urquhart.
Located near Broad and Alter streets, between Washington and Ellsworth in South Philly, the mural was brought to life with the help of Mural Arts Philadelphia curator and project manager Conrad Benner (Streets Dept Walls) and location partner The Del Borrello Group.
The mural features a striking, colorful eagle, with Xs, Os, and arrows subtly incorporated into the background — echoing a football playbook. Urquhart, known for her bold use of patterns and colors, aimed to capture the city’s electric spirit.
“I love working with patterns and bold colors,” she said. “I’m playing off the energy of the fans and how crazy and excited the city is. I wanted to portray that energy through a maximalist approach.”
While designing the eagle’s pose, she opted for a stoic stance, symbolizing the focus and poise the team will need heading into the Super Bowl. “They need that calmness to balance out the craziness of the city,” she explained. (What is she talking about?)
A lifelong sports fan and devoted Eagles supporter, Urquhart’s passion for the team made the project especially meaningful. “I grew up playing all sorts of sports, football, soccer. I’m an Eagles fan, through and through,” she said.
For Pete Del Borrello, owner of the building where the mural now stands, saying yes to the project was an easy decision. “We thought it was a great idea. It brings a lot of character to the city,” he said.
Benner highlighted how quickly the project came together, fueled by the city’s Super Bowl buzz. While mural projects can typically take up to two years, this one moved fast. “Tiff had already done Eagles murals before, and she had all that passion. We just ignited the flame,” he said.
As Urquhart worked on the mural, fans passing by shouted “Go Birds!”, adding to the growing excitement in the city. With the Super Bowl just around the corner, this new piece of public art stands as a vibrant testament to Philadelphia’s undying love for the Eagles — so get down there and take some photos in front of it. Like the passers-by said, “Go Birds!!”
https://billypenn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/IMG_6538-scaled.jpg
2025-02-04 20:36:59
