A colorful new Mural in Fishtown is turning heads, and Philadelphia youth helped bring it to life.

Through the Office of Children and Families (OCF)-funded after-school programming with Mural Arts Philadelphia, students in the Advanced Program recently partnered with artist Henbo Henning to design a mural celebrating the history, culture, and personality of the neighborhood.

The Advanced Program brings together high school students from across the city to collaborate on large-scale public art projects while building creative and professional skills along the way. Working alongside Henbo, Teaching Artists Rebecca Miller, and Carolina Gomez, students helped shape every aspect of the mural’s design.

The final piece is filled with playful, student-created characters inspired by Fishtown and Philadelphia culture, from “William Finn” to an Eagles-green squirrel, all woven into a vibrant landscape celebrating the neighborhood’s identity. Students also included a thoughtful interpretation of Tamanend, a historic Turtle Clan Leader of the Lenni-Lenape, recognizing the deep history that existed long before Fishtown as it is known today.

Located at 25 E. Oxford Street and visible from the Market-Frankford line, the mural was designed to spark curiosity and conversation among passersby.

To further tell the story behind the artwork, students are also creating a companion website that will introduce viewers to the characters featured in the mural and provide additional background on Fishtown’s history.

The mural was dedicated on June 4 during a public celebration.

For students involved in the project, the experience was about more than creating art, it was an opportunity to collaborate, share their perspectives, and leave a lasting mark on the city.

Through programs like these, Mural Arts Philadelphia continues to create spaces where young people can develop creative skills, explore future opportunities, and use art as a tool for storytelling and community connection.