ESPO Murals in West Philly |

This past weekend, I visited West Philly to check out the ESPO murals, artist Steve Powers' homage to the neighborhood. I was grateful that my friends thought the murals would be a worthy Philadelphia tourist experience, because it was the best possible way to explore the city.

The murals are a collection of musings on love, peace, romance, optimism. The graphics are bold and colorful, like the best of 1960s advertising, and the messages are utterly charming, timeless and relevant. Love can change the world!

But ESPO's messages aren't quite so simple. They endorse commitment to love, to relationships. They encourage people to pay attention to the colors in the world, to appreciate the beauty in their own lives and to make a difference in their communities, starting with the people closest to them. If you're good to the ones you love, and you stay committed to your friends and family, you'll be making your community a better place.

Some of these texts reveal subtle anti-violence messages. Only one of the murals is explicitly anti-violent, but all of them promote peace and love. And they do so with a playful touch and a keen aesthetic sense. They elevate the viewer, making them feel more beautiful, making the world seem more beautiful. It's terrific that these murals grace buildings in an area that could use some positive attention. And that the generic messages become so deeply personal.

If you happen to be in Philadelphia, it's worth the trip to the west side to view these murals. They are simply lovely.

A Love Letter For You

I explored the city came away from them with a sense of peace