The Fairmount Park Art Association was recently awarded a $10,000 grant from Representative Ronald Waters for Labor in the Park, a community public art project for Elmwood Park at 71st and Buist Streets in Southwest Philadelphia.

Labor in the Park was developed by artist John Kindness and the Friends of Elmwood Park, in cooperation of the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Recreation. The project was designed to celebrate the contributions of workers nationwide and emphasize the pivotal and unique role that Philadelphia has played in the American labor movement. Construction and installation of Labor in the Park is expected in summer/fall 2008.

Labor in the Park has received support from numerous local, national, and international labor unions including SEIU, AFSCME, IUPAT, UFCW, UNITE-HERE, Ironworkers, and the Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association. Foundation support has been provided by the William Penn Foundation, the Claneil Foundation, and the Samuel S. Fels Fund.