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November 30, 2015

World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 and The City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program Dedicate Mural Honoring the Visit of Pope Francis

With more than 2,700 people painting the mural, representing more than 100 countries, the mural is a contender for a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™

Philadelphia, PA (November 30, 2015) – The World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 and the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program today held a Dedication Ceremony for the completed mural inspired by the World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 (WMOF) and the historic visit of Pope Francis. The vibrant public artwork, titled The Sacred Now: Faith and Family in the 21st Century, has been on a journey unlike any mural in the world. Since the beginning of June, more than 2,700 people, from more than 100 countries, have lovingly painted the mural, bringing the deeply powerful work of art to life with each stroke. In a culminating moment, Pope Francis graced the mural with his signature, an image of which can be found here, during the Festival of Families on Saturday, Sept. 26th.

Designed by renowned Mural Arts Program muralist Cesar Viveros, and inspired by WMOF’s theme, “Love is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive,” the 4,239-square-foot work is a lasting testament to WMOF and the Papal Visit. As Mr. Viveros shared in his artist’s statement, the mural is intended to capture the powerful impact of “relationship, interaction, constructivism, actions, inclusion, compassion, and every moment of life that gives us the opportunity to share who we are by living this mission of love.” In keeping with his vision, Mr. Viveros’ mural, created from 153 individual panels measuring 5’ x 5’, was installed across three sections of the building comprising Saint Malachy School to become the final mural. Wells Fargo & Company [NYSE: WFC] is the sponsor of this commemorative mural.

The technique of creating mural panels individually allowed – and encouraged – community members across the region and the world to participate in painting the mural before it was installed on Saint Malachy School. A series of “Paint Days,” co-sponsored by Mural Arts and the World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015, took place over the summer at the following locations: 

“Partnering with the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program on this unique initiative to commemorate the World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 and Pope Francis’ visit has been an incredible experience,” said Donna Crilley Farrell, Executive Director of the World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015. “Thanks to the generosity of Wells Fargo, the project has been able to engage a globally diverse family of individuals from our region and around the world. We are so grateful that Pope Francis added his indelible legacy to the mural with his signature. It’s truly fitting that a mural this special is now poised to break a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title!”

Prior to the opening of the World Meeting of Families on Sept. 22nd, 942 individuals participated in the creation of The Sacred Now: Faith and Family in the 21st Century mural. Select panels were reserved so that World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 Congress participants from around the world could participate in painting portions of the mural at the Pennsylvania Convention Center from September 22-25, 2015.

The GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for Most Contributions to a Painting by Numbers was set in 2014 by 2,263 people. The World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 and the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, with Carlos Martinez, official adjudicator for GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS in attendance, surpassed that total when the Walker family painted the mural on the final day of the World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 Congress. The Walker Family journeyed by car more than 13,000 miles, across 13 countries, to travel to Philadelphia. Now that the mural is complete, the final number is currently being reviewed by GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS.

“The City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program is honored and grateful to have played a role in creating an uplifting project that commemorates the World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 and Pope Francis’ extraordinary visit to our beloved city,” said Jane Golden, Executive Director of the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program. “At Mural Arts, we believe deeply in the power of art to transform lives and spaces. This project embodies that philosophy, and the nearly 3,000 people who participated will forever feel a connection to the mural and what it represents. I know this will become one of our city’s most visited and cherished sites, here in the City of Murals.”

Co-sponsored by the Holy See’s Pontifical Council for the Family and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, the World Meeting of Families is a triennial global event that seeks to strengthen the sacred bonds of family across the globe and highlight its intrinsic value to the good of society.  The 2015 international gathering will be held in the United States for the first time ever and will welcome Pope Francis to the country for the first time in his Papacy.

For more information regarding the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, please visit www.WorldMeeting2015.org.  For more information regarding The Holy See’s Pontifical Council for the Family, which co-sponsors the World Meeting of Families with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, please visit www.familiam.org/famiglia_eng/00002554_HOME_ENG.html. 

An online retail store, featuring t-shirts, hats, pins and other small mementos, is also open and can be accessed at wmof.myshopify.com/. You can also engage the World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia on Facebook (World Meeting of Families 2015) (Encuentro Mundial de las Familias – Filadelfia 2015), Twitter (@WMF2015) (@WMF2015ES) and Instagram (WMF2015).

About World Meetings of Families

Beginning with 1994, The Year of the Family, the Pontifical Council for the Family has been responsible for organizing the World Meetings of Families in Rome (1994); Rio de Janeiro (1997); Rome (2000); Manila (2003); Valencia (2006); Mexico City (2009); Milan (2012); and now, Philadelphia (2015).  Since its inception by Saint John Paul II, the World Meeting of Families has sought to strengthen the sacred bonds of family across the globe.

About The City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program

The City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program is the nation’s largest public art program, dedicated to the belief that art ignites change.  For 30 years, Mural Arts has united artists and communities through a collaborative process, rooted in the traditions of mural-making, to create art that transforms public spaces and individual lives.  Mural Arts engages communities in 50–100 public art projects each year, and maintains its growing collection through a restoration initiative.  Core Mural Arts programs such as Art Education, Restorative Justice, and Porch Light yield unique, project-based learning opportunities for thousands of youth and adults.  Each year, 12,000 residents and visitors tour Mural Arts’ outdoor art gallery, which has become part of the city’s civic landscape and a source of pride and inspiration, earning Philadelphia international recognition as the “City of Murals.”  For further information, call 215-685-0750 or visit www.muralarts.org.  Follow along on social media: @muralarts on Twitter and Instagram, phillymuralarts on YouTube, and MuralArtsPhiladelphia on Facebook.

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