The Philadelphia bells are part of a statewide initiative, Bells Across PA, placing over 100 site-specific, artist-designed bells across Pennsylvania. The local bells were coordinated by Mural Arts Philadelphia, which asked artists to engage with neighbors to determine how they would want to be represented.
“It’s really about representation and making sure people’s voices are heard and having people be connected to 2026,” said Jane Golden, director of Mural Arts. “The bell is such an iconic object, a vehicle to capture people’s thoughts about where we are today and how people see their community in 2026.”
For the Ninth Street Market bell, Lozito consulted with Michele Gambino of the S. 9th Street Business Association, who appreciates that Lozito lives in the neighborhood she is depicting.
Gambino said she nailed it.
“We wanted the story of an immigrant community, and we wanted the story of the fact that people shop there for their kitchen, for their table,” Gambino said. “We’re all about food on Ninth Street. You’re not buying a shirt there. The bell incorporates all that.”