Royal Couple to Visit Philly Murals

EAST FALLS - January 24, 2007 (WPVI) -- Philadelphia's Mural Arts Program has gotten a lot of international attention, especially now that Prince Charles and his wife Camilla are coming to town this weekend.

There are over two thousand murals in Philadelphia, but to 67 kids from four city middle schools, number 2730 in East Falls is something special. Their ode to leadership was unveiled on Wednesday.

"It's way more pretty than I could ever imagine," said Rachel Pastore of Penn Charter School. "When she showed me the sketch, I was like it's okay. Now I see it, and it's beautiful."

The kids designed the mural, built around the word "leader," after interviewing their own personal heroes. Eighth grader Dara Emery talked to her mom.

"Leadership is guidance, self-integrity, and self-confidence. a leader will do what they know is right, not what other people perceive to be right," Emery told the crowd.

David Durst discovered his neighbor, Wayne Walker, used to be the international head of Habitat for Humanity. A portrait of Walker is now part of the mural.

"He really taught me that the best leaders are not the ones who go out and tell people how great they are, but the ones who are humble," said Durst.

It is because of the urban renewal and the intergenerational connection of mural programs like this one that Prince Charles and Camilla will visit a mural in the Mantua section of West Philadelphia on Saturday.

"The Royal Couple are very involved in art and architecture, public art and transformation, and education. They are all issues that really drive and inspire the Mural Arts Program. We're deeply honored and thrilled," said Jane Golden of the Mural Arts Program.

Almost as thrilled the kids who turned a gritty street into an inspiring canvas.

Click here to learn more about Philadelphia's Mural Arts Program.

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