The students, majoring in Animation & Game Arts, Fashion Design, Graphic Design and Fine Arts, worked in Casañas’ studio in Norris Square from Monday, March 6, to Friday, March 10.

Participants included Maria Roman, Rachel Wigham, Jasmine Harris, Stephanie Czapla, Wilson Smith, Brianna Hayes, Jasmine Castaneda-Nava, Stephanie Weinger, Cassandra Kimbrough, Jessica Shields, Alyssa Kaufman, Sristi Chanda and Katherine Roll.

“It feels great to work so closely with them to create something that they have ownership in,” said Phil Asbury, the art education project manager at Mural Arts who has overseen development of the bridge mural project. “It’s been a tremendous help having skilled hands on the project, and I can tell these students are cross-discipline. They are clearly very focused and trained, and we are certainly happy to have them.”

Asbury said the mural is a collaboration with the Mantua Civic Association and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

“Stylistically, it’s connected to the Paint the Revolution exhibition at the PMA that just closed,” Asbury said. “The mural incorporates the talavera Mexican tile pattern design, and the motif throughout the design has about 6,000 tulips in it.” Tulips represent growth and development for the Mantua community, Asbury said.

“I participated in an Alternative Spring Break program when I was in college, and it really changed my life,” said Emily Johnson, assistant dean of students and coordinator of the program. “I was so happy to start one here at Moore, and this year was more successful than ever before with a record number of students participating, and getting to partner with our friends at Mural Arts Philadelphia.”

The mural will be finished this spring, and a dedication ceremony involving the Moore students is set for May 20th on the bridge.

“Our hope is that these students become active citizens in their communities, and that ASB begins a lifelong love of service and volunteerism,” Johnson said.