The Painted Bride Art Center, the oldest alternative art space in Philadelphia, is seeking court approval to sell its land and property to a developer who plans to demolish the building and destroy Isaiah Zagar's iconic "Skin of the Bride" mosaic murals. In a letter to Judge Matthew Carrafiello. I urge him to reject the petition.

1. September 16, 2019
Honorable Matthew D. Carrafiello
Administrative Judge
Orphans’ Court Division
Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia
City Hall, Room 519
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Re: Painted Bride Art Center, Inc., Control No. 192338
Dear Judge Carrafiello:
I am writing in opposition to the petition by Painted Bride Art Center, Inc. for permission to sell
the land and building located at 230 Vine Street to Groom Investments LLC.
Home to an internationally-recognized arts and culture organization, 230 Vine Street is also one
of the few extant buildings associated with Philadelphia’s jazz heyday. According to building
permits filed with the city, the developer intends to demolish the building and destroy Isaiah
Zagar’s “Skin of the Bride” mosaic murals. In their place, Atrium Design Group plans to construct
16 soulless, tax-abated condos.
The executive director of the Bride says it is “more than a place.” However for nearly 30 years,
the place and the “Skin of the Bride” have had a symbiotic relationship. The iconic murals are
site-specific and institutionally-defining. The inseparability of the artwork from the Bride’s
mission is evidenced on the organization’s website.
Since relocating to 230 Vine Street, the Bride has received millions of dollars in government
grants, and donations from foundations, corporations and individual donors to sustain its
programming, and performance and exhibition spaces. By the Bride’s own admission, the board of

2. directors did not update the organization’s business model “to meet the needs of a transforming
world and evolving audience.” The board of directors’ nonfeasance has put at risk the
organization’s mission and the “Skin of the Bride,” an artwork that is arguably protected by the
Visual Artists Rights Act of 1990.
The Bride should not be allowed to cavalierly abandon the substantial investment of taxpayers’
dollars and charitable donations because a rich suitor came a-calling. The demolition of 230 Vine
Street is prima facie evidence the board of directors has not been a good steward of charitable
assets. Common sense dictates current board members cannot be part of the problem and the
solution.
Accordingly, I urge the Court to deny the Painted Bride Art Center’s petition to approve the sale
of 230 Vine Street. I further urge the Court to appoint an interim board of directors who will
preserve the charitable assets of the not-for-profit corporation and continue the mission of
providing an artist-centered performance space and art gallery.
Respectfully submitted,
Faye M. Anderson
Faye M. Anderson
Director
All That Philly Jazz
Member, Proposed Interim Board of Directors
(267) 282-1342
http://phillyjazz.us
Email: andersonatlarge@gmail.com