Philadelphia Archives - Tony Ward Studio

Allison Denenberg: Noble PAWS

Posted on May 18, 2015 by Allison Denenberg

While most people are excited about the approach of warm weather, this time of year is particularly trying for animal shelters. In the spring and summer months, shelters across the country are flooded with litters of newly born kittens. Although being surrounded by hundreds of tiny balls of fur might sound like heaven to animal lovers like myself, this situation is far from idyllic. Due to extremely limited space and resources, most shelters simply cannot care for all of the kittens that are brought to their door. Consequently, the vast majority of them are euthanized before getting even the slightest opportunity to find a loving home.

Fortunately, however, there are shelters like PAWS (the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society) in existence. This particular organization prides itself on being a no-kill shelter, and has had a great deal of success with finding suitable homes for as many needy cats and dogs as possible. Although it is difficult to walk around the tiny facility and see so many adorable cats cooped up in cages, the fact that none of them are at risk of being euthanized is extremely comforting. Additionally, each day, the cats are let out of their cages in cycles so that they can wander around, stretch, and play. It is truly amazing to see how the sadness in their eyes dissipates as soon as they are allowed to roam free.

In photographing the cats at this shelter, it is my hope that viewers will be inspired to give these sweet animals a permanent taste of freedom by adopting them. While PAWS does an incredible job at keeping abandoned animals off of “death row” and providing them with food, shelter, veterinary care, and attention, all of these animals would be much better off outside of their cages and in loving homes.

About the Author: Allison Denenberg is a senior and recent graduate of the University of Pennsylvania. Class of 2015. To read more articles by Allison Denenberg, go to the search bar at the bottom of the page: type in author’s name and click the search icon.

Alexis Borden: How the Other Half Lives

Posted on May 4, 2015 by Alexis Borden

One of the major problems in Philadelphia is Poverty. Twenty-eight percent (28%) of Philadelphians live below the federal poverty level, including 39% of children, 27% of work-age adults and 17% of seniors. The United States is the richest nation, yet millions of Americans live below the poverty line. The word poverty provokes strong emotions and is a topic most people don’t fully understand. Poverty is arguably the most far-reaching, long-standing cause of chronic suffering there is. For a recent assignment, I decided I wanted to take a look at poverty and homelessness. I wanted to get a glimpse into how the “other half” lives. I see homeless people all around UPenn campus and typically when I see them I ignore them but for this project I sought them out.

Poverty has many faces and changes from place to place and can be defined in multiple ways. Most people have a mental image of what they believe poverty and homelessness looks like based on their everyday interactions: a man sleeping on a steam vent, or panhandling for spare change on a street corner. But homelessness, like its causes, varies wildly from person to person and city to city, and touches many people who don’t fit traditional stereotypes. Five decades since President Lyndon B. Johnson began his so-called War on Poverty, poor Americans continue to struggle. Nearly a quarter of people in poverty have jobs, but their pay is so low that they still don’t have enough money to meet basic needs like food, shelter, clothing and health care. About 1,500 families become homeless every year. I visited Project Home on 1515 fairmount avenue and witnessed first hand what great shelters like this can do for people.

Poverty takes on a whole new face when it applies to children. Poverty and homelessness hits children the hardest. They need to grow up healthy but a lot of them don’t have this possibility. The worst thing is that hunger doesn’t affect only children’s’ health, but also their development in every way- emotional, physical and spiritual. Children are the most frequent users of emergency shelter, outnumbering adults almost 2 to 1. Although childhood is generally considered to be a time of joyful, carefree exploration, children living in poverty tend to spend less time finding out about the world around them and more time struggling to survive within it. Poor children have fewer and less-supportive networks than their more affluent counterparts do; live in neighborhoods that are lower in social capital; and, as adolescents, are more likely to rely on peers than on adults for social and emotional support.

Poverty and homelessness has been a consistent problem throughout history. No matter what the median income, unemployment or overall prosperity level is, there will always be people who are homeless and hungry.

About the Author: Alexis Borden is a senior Biology and pre-med major at the University of Pennsylvania, Class of 2015.

Allison Denenberg: Focus

Posted on April 22, 2015 by Allison Denenberg

As a Philadelphia native, sometimes I forget to appreciate the beauty of my hometown. When you walk past something all the time, if you’re too distracted by your own thoughts, or if you’re merely in a hurry, it’s easy to ignore your surroundings. However, by taking a purposeful stroll downtown with no intentions other than taking photographs, I realized just how much I have been missing.

When I walk around my neighborhood lost in thought, I might not pay any mind to the gorgeous Greek Revival style of the Merchants’ Exchange Building.

I may be too distracted to notice the artful arching of tree branches, or the beautiful shadows that they cast on the charming colonial houses.

The millions of thoughts buzzing in my head might drown out the quietude and serenity of the Old Pine Street Cemetery.

I might be in too big of a hurry to admire a cute family as they walk to school, or to chuckle at how the children’s backpacks are almost as big as they are.

In an effort to save time and reach my destination faster, I probably won’t take the scenic route down Elfreth’s Alley, and thus won’t notice the tree-lined passageway leading to a secret courtyard.

I may be too busy checking my phone, watching my step, or trying to avoid a rogue bicyclist to stop and glance up at a pretty church tower.

If it’s cold and I’m wandering around on a weekday, I likely won’t bother walking past Headhouse Square because the farmers’ market won’t be there.

But this time when I walked around downtown with my camera, I had no specific destination in mind, I had no major time constraints, and I forced myself to take a break from thinking about schoolwork and commitments. In focusing my lens, I also focused my attention, and for the first time in a long while, I was able to truly see Philadelphia and appreciate it for what it is.

About the Author: Allison Denenberg is a senior enrolled in the College of the University of Pennsylvania, Class of 2015.

Victoria Meyer: Have a Good Life

Posted on April 16, 2015 by Victoria Meyer

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Isaiah Zagar –first through his mosaics, and later face-to-face. Our first introduction was on a sunny day in February. For the first time in weeks, the sun peeked through the grey sky and batted a lash towards spring. Having survived my first winter in Philadelphia since living in sunny Naples, Florida for five years, I felt inspired to explore South Street, an energetic part of the city I only pass through to go downtown at night.

I heard a lot of buzz about a place called Philadelphia Magic Gardens (PMG), on 11^th and South Street, so I decided to make it my first stop. When I pulled up to the winding, vibrant mosaic that rests on a typical city street, between average city buildings, I immediately knew I’d be spending hours exploring the mosaic, making it my only stop before returning to the real world and going to class.

Zagar’s mosaic is an alternate reality. Immersed in a chaotic structure of broken tiles, bicycle wheels, paint, bottles, and mirrors, I feel unusually calm. Stress slips away and I embrace the curiosity and awe of his world. Through his art, he shares with me parts of his life, and I reflect on mine. In his mosaic anything is possible. And standing there, I can’t help but feel like the same is true for me.

The second time I met Isaiah, he was mosaicking a bathroom that had been redone in the indoor portion of PMG. I was hoping to meet him in person after my professor shared with me that he is a personal friend. I poke my head around the wall, and carefully enter the roped off space in which he is working. With one foot through the door I introduce myself as my professors student and ask if I may speak to him and photograph him working.

He accepts with energy and warmth, without ceasing to pack the green grout between tiles. Feverishly working he encourages me to keep pushing boundaries to get behind closed doors. Just as I had connected his work to my experience before, he draws a parallel from mine to his. When he and his wife were in the Peace Corps they found the local art fascinating. He tells me they pushed the boundaries of their mandate to work with local artists, encouraging me to continue using mutual friends and other connections to work my way into otherwise off-limits situations. Jokingly he adds the benefit being a pretty, young woman to the list of tools for entry.

Isaiah’s eccentric personality and witty banter is evident in person and in his work. On my way out, I thanked him and wished him well. Through his thick grey beard he called out, “Have a good,” –and where I was expecting to hear “day” he continued– “life!” And until we meet again, that’s the Isaiah I know, full of vibrancy, levity, and surprise.

About the Author: Victoria Meyer is a freshman enrolled in the College of the University of Pennsylvania, Class of 2018.

MaryRose Croddick: Franklin Field

Posted on April 13, 2015 by MaryRose Croddick

Franklin Field is one of the most historic athletic arenas in all of college sports. The field dates back all the way to 1895 when it was built for the viewing of the Penn Relays. The relays are still held there to this day and it is one of the only times that the entire stadium is filled. Franklin field was also formerly the home of the NFL team the Philadelphia Eagles, and is now used by the university for varsity track, football, and lacrosse competitions and practices, and also the site of Penn’s Spring Fling concert and Commencement ceremonies.

Formally, Franklin Field is an intimidating structure. It’s colossal walls tower over the everyday passerby. On the inside the stands stretch up endlessly into the sky reducing the players down on the turf into mere ants. From the top of the stands there are beautiful views of the entire city creating an interesting juxtaposition of modern skyscrapers to this old brick amphitheater.

The stadium’s daunting composition parallels the fierce competitors that take its field. Personally, I have had the unique privilege of competing in this legendary arena. For the first two years of my Penn career I played in Franklin Field as a member of the Penn Field Hockey team. I can distinctly remember the feeling of stepping out onto that turf for the first time– in a colossal stadium, under the lights, wearing my Penn uniform: it was an atmosphere like no other. I have left my blood, sweat, and tears out on that field like all those athletes that came before me, and all those yet to come.

This historic athletic site has seen both triumphant wins and devastating losses throughout its time. Franklin Field has been a home for the competitive spirit of all different types and levels of athletes for over a century. Throughout the stadium there are plaques and statues commemorating the truly excellent athletes that once played in this arena. Chuck Bednarik, ED’49, was one of the all time greats in football history. After playing for Penn and earning All American recognition three times over he went on to play in NFL for the Eagles. Sadly he passed away recently at 89 and his statue that stands in the western pavilion of the stadium has been honored with flowers and a Penn scarf.

Franklin Field has an incredibly rich athletic history. Having hosted some of the world’s greatest athletes during the Penn Relays, to professional football players, to collegiate competitors, to some of the cutest second grade soccer players for summer camp– it’s walls have really seen it all. But at the end of the day, when contestants have all gone home and there is not a spectator left in the stands, this historic building remains waiting for the next event to fill its seats and its atmosphere with the spirit of competition once again.

About the Author: About The Author: MaryRose Croddick is a senior enrolled in the College of the University of Pennsylvania, Class of 2015.