Frankie Avalon and Jerry Blavat donate money for 9th and Wharton mural relocation

We recently told you about the crumbling mural at 9th and Wharton and the plans to raise money and find a new location for it.

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Photo of the mural from PhillyMag.

In an effort to raise the $80,000 needed for the project, both Frankie Avalon and Jerry Blavat, who are both pictured on the mural, have donated $5,000 each to help fund the relocation.

According to The Inquirer, the Mural Arts Program has identified two potential locations for the mural on South Broad Street at either Tasker or Wolf Streets. They should come to a decision on a location in the next two weeks.

More from The Inquirer:

An artist has been chosen: David McShane, a portrait specialist who has painted notable murals, including one of legendary baseball player Jackie Robinson (near Broad and Somerset Street), and a collage of famous Franks, including Sinatra and Zappa (at Dirty Frank’s, 13th and Pine Streets).

And while designs have not yet been drawn up, a decision has been made to add two more faces to the wall: South Philly-born rocker Charlie Gracie, and 1950s and ’60s actor-heartthrob James Darren.

In addition to the mural on the side of the building at 9th and Wharton, there’s currently a PHS pop-up garden setup on the lot, along with plans for a mixed-use development.

3 thoughts on “Frankie Avalon and Jerry Blavat donate money for 9th and Wharton mural relocation

  • June 15, 2015 at 11:50 am
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    Eighty thousand dollars?!? Can’t they just, y’know… spend that on a new mural instead of relocating one that’s an eyesore?

  • June 16, 2015 at 4:18 pm
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    I think Dave McShane also painted the Larry Fine mural on the of Jon’s Bar and Grille. Love the “Franks” too.

  • June 17, 2015 at 8:37 am
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    The thing I don’t get, the mural fell apart because the building OWNER did not maintain HIS building. Why should anyone pay to fix it?

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