Research into Philadelphia's textile past

Over the summer in 2012, Philadelphia’s Mural Arts Program hired Interface Studio to undertake a research and mapping project to document the growth and decline of Philadelphia’s once booming textile industry. The results of the research provided context in support of a special Mural Arts Program initiative, Structure and Surface, designed to bridge the manufacturing community of 20th century Philadelphia with present-day artists and designers. The project placed six artists in residence with long-established local textile companies, with the intention that the experiences would provide inspiration for a series of site-specific installations showcasing a proud Philadelphia tradition.