‘ABBOTT ELEMENTARY’ CREATOR AND STAR QUINTA BRUNSON TO RECEIVE PHILADELPHIA KEY TO THE CITY AS PART OF MURAL ARTS DEDICATION CEREMONY

ABC, Mural Arts Philadelphia and The City of Philadelphia announced today that Emmy® Award-winning “Abbott Elementary” showrunner, executive producer, writer and actress Quinta Brunson will headline a special event dedicating an original mural to Andrew Hamilton School, the elementary school she attended which inspired her hit ABC/Warner Bros. Television/20th Television comedy series. Brunson will also receive Philadelphia’s Key to the City from Mayor Cherelle L. Parker as part of the celebration taking place on Wednesday, May 28. The mural, titled “Blooming Futures,” was designed by local artist Athena Scott, who will speak at the dedication along with Hamilton teachers and students, and representatives from Mural Arts, the Philadelphia City Council and the School District of Philadelphia. In partnership with Mural Arts and the Greater Philadelphia Film Office, the event is being co-produced by the award-winning Office of the City Representative and Special Events, led by City Representative Jazelle Jones.

Spearheaded by Brunson, Scott’s “Blooming Futures” was created with input from Hamilton school students and staff whom she met with for inspiration. The new mural highlights the allegory of the school as a garden, with the tenacious educators serving as stewards of a fertile and growing student population. Mural Arts – an esteemed organization based in Philadelphia dedicated to arts education and uniting creatives with their communities – was featured in an episode of the second season of “Abbott Elementary.”

Commented Brunson: “I am so grateful to be receiving the key to my hometown, Philly. This city shaped me—and now I get to give back with a mural that celebrates all it gave me. I am truly honored.”

“Art has the power to honor the past, celebrate the present, and inspire the future,” said Jane Golden, Executive Director of Mural Arts Philadelphia. “‘Blooming Futures’ beautifully captures the spirit of ‘Abbott Elementary’ and the enduring impact of dedicated educators like those at Andrew Hamilton School, whose influence shapes generations. Quinta Brunson’s work is a powerful love letter to the city of Philadelphia, and we are deeply grateful for her unwavering commitment to inspiring young people, uplifting our city, and supporting Mural Arts Philadelphia.”

“The City of Philadelphia is beyond grateful to have someone as inspiring and compassionate as Quinta Brunson,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “She doesn’t just represent the spirit of Philadelphia on television, she brings her success home and shares it with the city that loves her back. It goes without saying that education and representation matter. As our young people look for role models, may they find inspiration in dream chasers and change makers like Quinta Brunson. And let us never forget the impact of a great teacher, who shows up every day to uplift, encourage, and fight for the future of our youth.”

“I am overwhelmed with appreciation for this opportunity from Mural Arts Philadelphia and Quinta Brunson,” says Scott. “It’s been a very rewarding experience working with Hamilton. I wanted the mural to encapsulate the spirit and the care I witnessed walking through the halls of the school, between the students and teachers. I also wanted this mural to be something inspiring not only to them, but something that can encourage continued growth in the school and in the surrounding community as well.”

ABC’s “Abbott Elementary,” which just completed its fourth season, has won four Primetime Emmy Awards and been nominated for 24. The comedy series stars Emmy Award winner Quinta Brunson as Janine Teagues, Tyler James Williams as Gregory Eddie, Janelle James as Ava Coleman, Chris Perfetti as Jacob Hill, Lisa Ann Walter as Melissa Schemmenti, William Stanford Davis as Mr. Johnson and Emmy Award winner Sheryl Lee Ralph as Barbara Howard. Brunson created the series and serves as executive producer alongside Justin Halpern and Patrick Schumacker of Delicious Non-Sequitur Productions, Randall Einhorn and Brian Rubenstein. The series is produced by Warner Bros. Television and 20th Television, a part of Disney Television Studios.

About “Abbott Elementary”
In this workplace comedy, a group of dedicated, passionate teachers — and a slightly tone-deaf principal — are brought together in a Philadelphia public school where, despite the odds stacked against them, they are determined to help their students succeed in life. Though these incredible educators may be outnumbered and underfunded, they love what they do — even if they don’t love the school district’s less-than-stellar attitude toward educating children.

Follow “Abbott Elementary” (#AbbottElementary) on Instagram and Facebook.

About Mural Arts Philadelphia
Mural Arts Philadelphia is the nation’s largest public art program, dedicated to the belief that art ignites change. For over 40 years, Mural Arts has united artists and communities through a collaborative and equitable process, creating over 4,000 artworks that have transformed public spaces and individual lives. Mural Arts aims to empower people, stimulate dialogue, and build bridges to mutual understanding through projects that attract artists from Philadelphia and around the world and programs that focus on youth education, restorative justice, mental health and wellness, and public art preservation. Popular mural tours offer a firsthand glimpse into the inspiring stories behind Mural Arts’ iconic and unparalleled collection, earning Philadelphia worldwide recognition as the “Mural Capital of the World.” For more information, call 215-685-0750 or visit muralarts.org.

About Athena Scott
Athena Scott is an interdisciplinary artist from Philadelphia, PA. She holds a Bachelor of Science from The Art Institute of Philadelphia and MFA from Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts with a career background in web and graphic design.

Athena received a nomination for the Dedalus Foundation Fellowship and has been a Fellow of the Mural Arts Philadelphia Fellowship for Black Artists and The Dina Wind Foundation/InLiquid Fellowship programs. Athena has exhibited work in and around the Philadelphia area and has participated in the Artist in Residence program at Cherry St Pier, in Philadelphia. She has also received the Linda Lee Alter award with the awarded work acquired for the Linda Lee Alter collection.

Media Contacts:
ABC Entertainment
Michaela Zukowski
michaela.zukowski@abc.com

Rachel Villegas
rachel.villegas@disney.com

 

Mural Arts Philadelphia
Frank Luzi
Luzi Media
215.779.7614
frank@luzi.media