Jane Golden, Director of Philadelphia’s Mural Arts Program, is Honored by La Salle University’s Alumni Association

(From left) La Salle alumnus and Philadelphia Mural Arts Program artist David McShane, '88, with Signum Fidei Medal recipient Jane Golden
and her husband Tony Heriza.

Jane Golden, Director of the City of Philadelphia’s Mural Arts Program, was recently awarded the Signum Fidei Medal by the La Salle University Alumni Association. Since 1942, the Signum Fidei Medal has honored individuals or groups for their contributions to humanitarian principles and for upholding the mission and goals of La Salle University and the Christian Brothers. Signum Fidei, which means “sign of faith,” is the motto of the Lasallian Christian Brothers, the Catholic teaching order that operates La Salle University.

“Jane epitomizes what can be achieved when you have a passion for what you do. Her indomitable spirit is inspiring in that she has the ability to bring divergent groups together and to transform people’s lives,” said Daniel Fitzpatrick, President and CEO of Citizen’s Bank of Pennsylvania, a La Salle alumnus and Board of Trustee member. “She values making a positive impact on the City of Philadelphia, a mission that is shared by La Salle University.”

Golden has been the driving force behind the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program since its inception 25 years ago. Initially called the Philadelphia Anti-Graffiti Network, the Mural Arts Program has produced more than 3,000 murals throughout the city, earning Philadelphia international recognition as the “City of Murals.”

One of the Mural Arts Program’s most recent murals was unveiled on November 17, 2008, featuring three 35th District Philadelphia police officers who died in the line of duty in the past 20 years. The mural was painted by La Salle University alumnus and Mural Art Program artist David McShane.

More than a decade ago, Golden transformed the Anti-Graffiti Network into the Mural Arts Program. She was inspired by President Franklin Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration. “When I was young, my parents would show me pictures of murals created during the 1930’s—murals created during the Works Progress Administration, at a time not unlike today, a time of fiscal unrest,” said Golden. “President Roosevelt challenged the country to pull together and work together, and so I was moved at an early age to think of the power of mural painting.”

Golden, who is sought after nationally and internationally as an expert in urban transformation through art, was invited this spring by The Ford Foundation to consult on an ambitious mural project commemorating Hanoi, Vietnam’s 1000th Anniversary.

In addition to the Signum Fidei Medal, Golden has received numerous awards and honors for her work, including the Philadelphia Award—the city’s highest honor, the Girl Scouts of America Take the Lead Award, an Eisenhower Exchange Fellow, and seven honorary doctoral degrees, including one from La Salle University in 2005. In 2007, Golden was named one of the “75 Greatest Living Philadelphians” by The Philadelphia Daily News.