ABC’s Emmy and Golden Globe-winning series, Abbott Elementary, from Warner Bros. Television and 20th Television, will shine a light on Mural Arts Philadelphia with its upcoming new episode titled “Mural Arts,” airing Wednesday, March 1 at 9/8c on ABC. Episodes are available on demand on Hulu the next day. 

Mural Arts, the nation’s largest public art program, has helped Philadelphia reach international recognition as the “Mural Capital of the World” and, for nearly 40 years, has worked in middle schools and high schools throughout the School District of Philadelphia to inspire student creativity through art and mural making experiences. The inclusion of mural-making in the upcoming Abbott Elementary episode offers a glimpse into Mural Arts’ student-focused programs. Also, it showcases Philadelphia’s robust arts and culture scene, where so many schools throughout the City of Philadelphia feature murals on their building walls. 

In “Mural Arts,” Jacob Hill, played by actor Chris Perfetti secures a visit from a mural arts program for his students but disagrees with their chosen design and attempts to influence their decision. In addition to the mural-making plot, Barbara Howard, played by Philadelphia’s own actress Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Melissa Schemmenti, played by actress Lisa Ann Walter, learn parents are petitioning to turn Abbott into a Legendary charter school.

“When people come to Philadelphia, curiosity builds around our murals that are so often found and created with the assistance of our schools and students,” said Jane Golden, executive director, Mural Arts Philadelphia. “The transformative power of art is a guiding principle at Mural Arts, where we believe art can ignite positive social change. Our Art Education program demonstrates to young people how art can do more than simply embellish a structure – it can serve as a means to inspire and empower both individuals and communities. Our community at Mural Arts is such a fanbase for Abbott Elementary. We are delighted that Abbott Elementary has offered a distinctive window into the experiences of educators and pupils, as well as the rich artistic landscape and heritage of Philadelphia.”

With more than 100 middle and high school students in Mural Arts’ Art Education program across schools throughout the School District of Philadelphia, the program helps unlock students’ creative capacities through both in-school and after-school arts-based programming. Students have opportunities to work with locally, nationally, and internationally known artists; contribute to major public art projects; develop creative portfolios and showcase artwork at exhibitions; and apply for scholarships, internships, and jobs in the creative sector.

Tune in to ABC on Wednesday, March 1 at 9/8c to watch Abbott Elementary’s all-new episode, “Mural Arts.”

To learn more about Mural Arts Philadelphia and how to become involved, please visit muralarts.org.