Meet Philip DePoula

Today I set off for West Philadelphia, aiming to get to two different sites. The first on was at the E3 Power Center on 41st Street and Lancaster Avenue. When I arrived there were about six different students all at work on collages. They were practicing their styles for their site, which was an overpass that would be used to direct neighborhood attention to Penn Treaty Park, a park on the Delaware River. I couldn't find Phil anywhere but the artist Miriam Singer pointed me towards a small room down the hall. Phil was there copying all the students artwork for them to cut out and paste on their posters. He kept working as we talked, as students would intermittently enter with another drawing for him to copy.

Name: Philip DePoula

Age: 20

Birthplace: Woodstock New York

Current Location (excluding internship): Brooklyn

Education: Pratt with a BFA in Painting

Preferred Medium: Mixed Media.

Site: Norris Street, E3 Power Center and Penn Treaty Park

Artist: Mariam Singer

Jobs: Resident Copier, Mural Corp Assistant

Job Questions

Why did you apply for the internship? It would be a good experience, but also I would get to learn about the Philadelphia Mural system. Since I'm from New York City, it would also prove to myself that I could go to a strange city and integrate myself.

What do you plan on gaining from this experience? Since I'm starting my senior year, I'm beginning to look for a job for after I graduate. This is a chance to gain public notice, expand my roles in this field. I hope to start my own project as well and learn more about Philadelphia.

Future goals? I'd like to have a full time studio career and get my Master's Degree

Favorite Mural? My favorite mural is the one of the Aztec wheel in Fishtown.

Personal Questions

What are you listening to? I listen to a large variety of music, from Hip hop to Indie to Jazz to Classic rock.

Favorite color? My favorite color's green.

Favorite food? Wow that's hard, I've been trying a lot of new things lately, I'd have to say Chicken Parmesan or Shrimp Tempura.

Favorite Season? Fall

Favorite Emotion? Anger

Favorite place on Earth? Woodstock

Did you remember sunscreen? Nope I don't burn.

How do you think art can change the world? Art and Art Action create conversation about things we can do, its an ever changing component to an evolving society. Art doesn't affect change directly. The people who are affected have the power to implement change. It's transformative.