Unveiled recently, British-born, New York-based artist Patrick Vale returns with a powerful new public artwork dubbed ‘This Is My Philly’, created in collaboration with students from La Salle Academy. The mural expands upon Vale’s original site-specific commission for the building owners, evolving the project from a personal reflection on Philadelphia into a collective portrait of the city through the eyes of its next generation.
Known internationally for his intricately hand-drawn architectural works and immersive urban narratives, Vale spent the past several months working closely with six students from La Salle Academy through a series of drawing workshops and conversations centered around their experiences, observations, and visions of Philadelphia. Inspired by the students’ perspectives, Vale created a new mural featuring the young artists holding their drawings while looking directly outward toward the viewer — a gesture that transforms the work into both a portrait of youth and a statement about the future of the city itself. Arriving during Philadelphia’s ongoing 250th anniversary celebrations, the mural captures a sense of optimism, humanity, and civic pride at a particularly charged cultural moment. Rather than focusing solely on architecture or city observation, the work foregrounds the voices, creativity, and emotional presence of young people navigating contemporary urban life. Through the students’ drawings and expressions, the mural explores themes of identity, ambition, community, and hope, while inviting viewers to consider how future generations are shaping Philadelphia’s narrative.
Situated within the heart of Center City, the site-specific installation can be found at the Broad-Ridge Spur at 8th and Market Streets, transforming this transit hub into a vibrant canvas for public art.
Take A Closer Look At Patrick Vale’s “This Is My Philly” Public Mural Below!
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