PUBLIC ART
Our Market Murals
“Be a Friend to Me”
Lead Artist: Calo Rosa
Assistants: Valentín Sánchez-Stoddard, Henry Morales
Location: Casa Mexico, 1130-32 S. 9th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Year: 2024
The "Be a Friend to Me" mural honors the artistic and creative lives of Joseph and Frankie Tartaglia and family, and is a tribute to the emblematic space they created on 9th street where people gathered to enjoy music and art. This mural is inspired by glimpses into the young creatives’ scrapbooks and diaries, and hopes to capture their vibrant spirit via stories shared by their parents Connie and Joe. We honor their lives and legacy, nodding to the future generation with a portrait of Connie’s great-granddaughter.
“An Ode to 9th Street”
Lead Artist: Martha Rich
Assistant: Andromeda Cook
Location: Esposito’s Meats, 1001-1005 S. 9th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Year: 2024
This mural takes from the spaces, moments, conversations, and stories of the market and combines them into a burst of images, color, words and energy in hopes of capturing what it feels like to be part of this special place. Fate plays a role in the mural; words and pictures are randomly placed and new stories develop. This is what the market is about; connecting people and family, hopes, dreams, and hard work. The artist drew upon stories from the Our Market Project and by spending time in the market observing and listening.
“Our Market Ancestor: Betty Ann Mongelluzo”
Lead Artists: Michelle Angela Ortiz & Emily Busch Assistants: Valentín Sánchez-Stoddard & Briana Dawkins
Location: Di Brunos, 921 S. 9th Street, Philadelphia, PA. 19147
Year: 2025
As part of the Our Market Ancestors mural series, we honor Betty Ann Mongelluzzo. Aunt Betty Ann owned a florist in the Market for 30 years. She was the granddaughter of Irish and Swedish immigrants and was born and raised on 9th Street. Her niece Patricia Ciliberti Becker a.k.a. Cookie worked with her aunt and continues the tradition of weaving palms for Palm Sunday. Aunt Betty Ann and Cookie provided the flowers for the procession of Saints, church events, and special occasions for the community.
“Our Market Ancestors: Danny and Joe Di Bruno”
Lead Artists: Michelle Angela Ortiz & Emily Busch Assistants: Valentín Sánchez-Stoddard & Briana Dawkins
Location: Di Brunos, 921 S. 9th Street, Philadelphia, PA. 19147
Year: 2025
As part of the Our Market Ancestors mural series, we honor Danny and Joe Di Bruno. Danny and Joe immigrated from Italy to Philadelphia in the 1930s. With only a 3rd grade education, their willingness to work endless hours, and their entrepreneurial spirit, the brothers put everything on the line--which wasn't much--and opened up the Di Bruno Bros. Grocery Store at 930 S. 9th Street. Danny would often say, "We didn't have much money, but a smile doesn't cost you anything!" Their grandson, Emilio Mignucci continues their family business as it continues to expand.
“Our Market Ancestor: Carl Samuel Redel”
Lead Artists: Michelle Angela Ortiz & Emily Busch Assistants: Valentín Sánchez-Stoddard & Briana Dawkins
Location: Carl’s Farm Eggs, 1037 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Year: 2025
As part of the Our Market Ancestors mural series, we honor Carl Samuel Redel. Carl Redel was a Jewish immigrant from Wielopole, Poland. He was a Holocaust survivor who built his family business as he combated anti-Semitism in the Market. We pay homage to Carl through this portrait and decorative framework inspired by the Jewish and Polish cut paper traditions. Included within the context of the framework are details inspired by the Redel Family, from their origins in Poland to 9th Street.