Art and Fish in East Falls

East Falls has long attracted artists and craftsmen because of its creative culture; artists live, work and show their work in this charming riverside community. Now visitors to the business district will be captivated by art celebrating the neighborhood's connection with the fish of the Schuylkill River. The East Falls Development Corporation (EFDC) partnered with the Manayunk Development Corporation and the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education as part of a Destination Schuylkill River initiative seeking to bring awareness of the Schuylkill River through public eco-themed art. Each location developed its own unique approach to the initiative.

The East Falls Development Corporation put out a call to select artists requesting proposals for fish-themed eco-art to be installed in the East Falls Riverfront Business District. As residents have grown to recognize and love the fish-theme as an identifier for the neighborhood, EFDC sought to strengthen this connection through the public art. What makes the art eco? The EFDC requested that each piece be made of reused, recycled or natural materials or be otherwise environmentally sound. If lighting is incorporated, artists were requested to make use of solar powered LED's.

Lynn Denton was the first of the six artists chosen to install eco-art throughout the East falls riverfront Business District. Her mosaic interpretation of the Five Fishes can be seen on the 4100 block of Ridge Ave., across from Franco's. Marguerita Hagan was the second artist to install fish-themed eco-art. She has installed three repurposed aluminum wire catfish that are swimming along a wall at the corner of Ridge Avenue and Calumet Street. As the sun moves throughout the day, the shadows cast on the piece give the illusion of movement. The third artist to install is Sandra Webberking. Sandra will be installing a fish-themed bike rack of repurposed metal along the Inn Yard Park. Look for it to pop-up in February!