Philadelphia’s Mural Arts Program, the largest public art program in the country, has produced over 3,500 murals since its inception in 1984. Last week, in conjunction with the Phillies, the Mural Arts Program unveiled The Phillies Mural, a work of public art honoring our Boys of Summer that will rise eight stories on the side of a building on Walnut St., facing the Schuylkill river and I-76. That building currently looks like this:

In the coming year, thousands of fans and members of the community will participate in paint days to contribute to the mural designed by David McShane, who has also created two other baseball themed murals in other parts of the city. The Phillies Mural will honor current and former players, current and former stadiums, beloved announcers and of course the Phillie Phanatic. Fans will have the opportunity to vote on the final player added to the mural, with more information coming out about that in the weeks to come.

We’re totally excited to watch the mural come together in the months ahead, and would recommend just one addition: Perhaps a World Series pennant for 2011?