A mural with a message now graces a wall in East Mt. Airy. This mural requested by the Maternity Care Coalition, is featured in East Mount Airy next to the Northwest office of the MOMobile on Chew Avenue near Sharpnack Street. The Northwest MOMobile is one of nine mobile units across the Delaware Valley for the Maternity Care Coalition. The four staff advisers at this MOMobile site meet one-on-one with new mothers in the area to provide family planning support.
The man making the mural, Paris Stancell, along with two other artists, began work on this wall art in April. Planning for this mural engaged the entire community providing opportunities to influence the design. The Northwest Division of the MOMobile held community meetings to determine what everyone thought was best for the neighborhood. After everyone shared ideas, Stancell came back with the design that is now on the wall.
Stancell said the mural is meant to represent young single mothers. Featured throughout the design are symbols for security, community, fertility, sustenance, education and love. A heart with an AIDS ribbon inside is at the bottom right side of the mural. Congruent with the work of Mom Mobile, Stancell said that this part of the mural is meant to symbolize “loving oneself and safe sex.”
Community members continue to be involved with the mural. “Everybody loves the mural. They talk about the color and the design and they are happy with the subject matter,” Paris said.
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