The Mantua Township Committee honored local artist and resident Jose “Busta” Bustamante with a proclamation at its June 10 meeting for winning the SEI and Philadelphia Phillies Mural Contest.
Bustamante was one of 20 participants tasked by the team and SEI – a technology and investment solutions firm in Pennsylvania – with designing a mural to be displayed at Citizens Bank Park. The result, “Next Generation,” is at the stadium’s Ashburn Alley in left-center field.
The 24-by-18-foot acrylic mural depicts two young athletes, a boy and girl, standing proudly in Phillies gear, with a shot of the ballpark – colored in the red and blue colors of the Phillies – in the background.
Bustamante was accompanied to the commitee meeting by his wife, Stephanie, who brought a photo of the mural. Mayor Robert Zimmerman presented the proclamation to Bustamante and read a written description of the piece posted on the Citizens Bank Park website.
“For this mural, I chose to depict the young boy and girl as the main characters, symbolizing the next generation of athletes who will carry on the rich heritage of the sport,” Bustamante wrote. “It was important for me to imbue these characteristics with a sense of strength, hope and confidence.
Bustamante showed the girl in the mural dressed in a 47 Phillies cap and hoodie, featuring the iconic burgundy and baby blue colors once associated with the team. He wanted to pays homage to the past but also reflect the girl’s commitment to and curiosity about baseball. He showed the boy with a bright red and blue cap and windbreaker, featuring a new Phillies logo.
“By incorporating the team’s latest branding,” his post added, “I aim to emphasize the connection between the past and the future, while also showcasing the boy’s enthusiasm for the sport.”
Bustamante is originally from Chia, Columbia, according to his website, and has a degree in fine arts. He has done murals for several businesses and draws inspiration from his upbringing in an indigenous community and the hip-hop scene.
“I’m just really proud of this moment,” he stated, “and I really appreciate the support and love I get from the community.”
