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My mother loved art and architecture,” Jon continued. And in part, it was Sylvia Barkan’s love for art, architec-


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ture and community organization that led to the creation of the University City Historical Society. It was the mid-1960’s. Sylvia and other residents such as Ruth Malloy had grown concerned about the destruction of architectural artifacts in Victorian-era buildings slated for “demolition in the name of urban renewal,” recalled Mike Hardy. “I was in the grad school at Penn and I met Sylvia when the [University City Historical Society] was organizing.” Soon after meeting Sylvia, Hardy joined the group and became a board mem- ber. And as planned, they went into the buildings—shut- tered for demolition--- to retrieve architectural artifacts. “It was a very heady experience,” Hardy recalled. “Initially we didn’t have permission from the Philadelphia Historical So- ciety. But later, they said it was okay.” With only flashlights to guide them, the group grappled through the dark to col- lect tiles, ornamental fixtures and stained glass windows, Hardy explained.


Painting by Sylvia Barkan: “Beach Haven” After their excavation, Sylvia Barkan and Ruth Malloy


were inspired by an article they read in the New York Times, regarding a sculpture garden created in Brooklyn from demolished buildings of historical significance. They got their wish to create a similar “historically significant” sculpture garden when one was installed at 40th and Walnut Streets which has since been demolished. “Ruth and Sylvia were like twins, who always debated. They both took possession of the idea for a sculpture garden,” Hardy remembered fondly. “Sylvia was always ready to volunteer and carry


through on anything she did,” Hardy continued. “She was always with a camera. And not just for citywide events but community occasions. “In the 1990’s, when the UC Green planted hundreds of trees, she recorded every single one and gave them the same attention to detail.” It was Sylvia’s attention to detail, that solidified people’s admiration of her artistic abilities. Among her photographs, designs and paintings, there were also her logos for the University City Swim Club, her birds eye painting of University City, published in the Bulletin, not to mention the plaques she created throughout the neigh- borhood, Hardy explained. “Her commitment to this neighborhood was unalloyed,”


Hardy said. “The only exception was her commitment to her family. But she wouldn’t accept any criticism whatso- ever of the neighborhood. When people discussed crime waves, she would say that the same thing was going on in the suburbs.”


Sylvia’s love for her neighborhood, made it impossible for her to leave her home during her last few years. “She had to be in her home, around the spaces and the objects she had known,” Jon said, explaining his entire family, including his daughter and Sylvia’s granddaughter, So- phie, helped make this possible. “She lived such a visu- ally orientated life,” Jon continued. “That’s what made her such a good painter and designer. That’s why we’re so enthusiastic about sharing her work,” Jon said of the exhibit slated at the Arts League this fall. For those who would like to submit their memories of Sylvia Barkan for the exhibit, the family asks to email them to: sylviamemories@gmail.com. As of press time, the UC Arts League has not selected the exact date for when it will host Sylvia Barkan’s exhibit. Stay-tuned to the UC Review for updates.


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