Art sphere Inc. Brings Fish Up Close at the Fairmount Water Works

Philadelphia, PA — Have you ever seen fish swimming on walls? Now you can by visiting Philadelphia’s Fairmount Water Works. Art Sphere, Inc., a Philadelphia non-profit, supported the natural history of the Schuylkill River Banks during last year’s Art in the Open event, where it brought together artists and the public to create a mural honoring the native fish of the area. Art in the Open is a biennial citywide event that celebrates artists, their inspirations for creating art, and their relationships with Philadelphia's natural and urban environments.

Art Sphere’s project included engaging the public to help promote environmental awareness about conserving natural habitats and local fish species. As passersby strolled the Schuylkill River Trail, they were asked to stop to add their creative touches to the mural and take a moment to reflect on the collective responsibility to preserve our valuable natural resources. Both adults and children shared the experience in creating a collaborative expression.

For more than 200 years, the Fairmount Water Works has been a leading symbol of technological innovation, a cultural destination, and leader in urban environmental education. It operated as a pumping station from 1815-1909, an aquarium from 1911 to 1962, as the Kelly Natatorium (pool) until 1972, and today houses an award-winning urban environmental education center, and Philadelphia Water's public education destination. The Water Works is located at 640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19130, and is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 10am to 5pm, and Sunday from 1pm to 5pm. For more information visit www.fairmountwaterworks.org.

Art Sphere Inc. has been bringing volunteers together to revitalize neighborhoods with park clean ups, mural painting projects and free toddler and afterschool art workshops since 1998. They use art as a tool to empower individuals to take civic responsibility so that communities can provide safe and nurturing environments for all of their residents.

ART SPHERE INC. FISH MURAL AT FAIRMOUNT WATERWORKS

CREATING THE MURAL DURING THE “ART IN THE OPEN” EVENT