The artwork was unveiled on Saturday (March 22) by the Art of Protest Projects group, joined by the Lord Mayor of York and members of City of York Council.
Eight new benches covered in artwork have also been installed in Front Street.
It comes as part of the second phase of works to the street which began in October.
The work has been funded by £570,000 of UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) cash, with the council aiming to spend it all before the government can claw it back after March.
Cllr Katie Lomas, the council’s executive member for finance and also an Acomb ward councillor, said the mural has transformed an “uninspiring brick wall” and “makes the street look more welcoming, more vibrant”.
“The reaction from residents has been really positive,” she said. “People have been stopping to look at the mural.
“I think it’s a real sign to residents that we care about this place.
“For too long Front Street has been neglected and forgotten.”
Cllr Lomas felt the outcome was worth temporary disruption in the street while the work was being carried out.
“Everyone is spending more time in the street,” she said, adding: “This really shows the commitment we have to this area and the commitment to make it a great place to live and shop.
“There will be more, we just need to find the financing to do it.”
Art of Protest saw off competition from across the globe to win the commission from the council to design and paint the mural.
The council received 11 bids to take on the project costing £38,000.
Art of Protest’s engagement efforts with the community has seen 17 community sessions held in partnership with local hubs and four schools.
The York-based company has also put on a Street Art Academy for residents to learn new skills.
He said the mural – consisting of bright, colourful shapes with tree branches and leaves – was inspired by the woodland areas of Acomb.
Mr Clark said the project has become “bigger than any one of us could have imagined”.
The Lord Mayor of York, Margaret Wells, said she was “overwhelmed by the mural and also by the seating”.
“They [the Art of Protest] have really listened to what the community wanted, and that’s so important,” she said. “We all need to learn to listen to the community and take onboard what they say.
“It is the community who knows what they need and how things can be made better.”
‘Front Street is where the community comes together’
Residents have also welcomed the mural.
“I love it, it’s really nice. The more the better to brighten the place up,” said Vivien Clark, 68, who has lived in Acomb all her life. “I’ve watched them do it and I think it’s lovely.”
Its heart-shaped acorn design – a nod to the Old English ‘acum’ meaning ‘at the oak trees’ believed to be where Acomb’s name comes from – was designed by Luke Walker, chair of the Greater Acomb Community Forum.
“I wanted to make a unifying symbol for the community of Acomb,” said the 26-year-old graphic designer, who has lived in Acomb since he was three. “I want to say, ‘This is our symbol, we can wear it proud.’”
Mr Walker hopes the mural will inspire young people for generations to come.
“Things like this are what we need,” he said.
