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Map of Pittsburgh Public Art
We couldn't locate any information on this colorful mural of zombie-like Tiggers wearing gas masks. No artist's signature was located and we don't know if the graffiti on the right side was deliberate and part of the mural, or another's work, but we cropped it out of the photo. It appears to be ordinary graffiti and we try to not give that stuff credibility.
About Pgh Murals
Spreadsheet of Pittsburgh Public Art and blog archives
Map of Pittsburgh Public Art
Originally created for the Squirrel Hill branch of the Carnegie Library in 1973, this untitled sculpture was installed in Grandview Park in 2010. The artist was contacted to recreate the piece of abstract art when restoration wasn't possible.
About Pgh Murals
Spreadsheet of Pittsburgh Public Art and blog archives
Map of Pittsburgh Public Art
We found Baron Batch just as he was starting this mural. He said he would have only five hours to complete it and went right to work. We returned the next day to see the results:
About Pgh Murals
Spreadsheet of Pittsburgh Public Art and blog archives
Map of Pittsburgh Public Art
This mural was along the route for the 2013 Pedal Pittsburgh ride, but it was positioned so it was behind you as you rode past it – so it was easily missed. On the return leg of the ride, which passed about a block north, the bright colors jumped out immediately from across a vacant lot. When I stopped at an intersection, a lady standing there with her son noticed where my attention was focused and told me that it was a new mural. She said they had gone over to look at it and thought the subject of it was Puerto Rico.
We had received an email about this mural so I already knew that the themes (provided by the artist, Lucas Stock) were historic landmarks, unique architecture, stained glass art, ethnic and religious symbolism and neighborhood diversity. The artist hadn’t mentioned anything specific about Puerto Rico, but now looking closely at the mural, I could see what looked like the Puerto Rican flag on the right side.
One of the perks of getting directly in touch with an artist is hearing or seeing some of the insight on the design process. In this case, Mr Stock shared some photos he took to document that process:
A pencil sketch of the original design. Photo by Lucas Stock
The filled in sketch. Photo by Lucas Stock
The final product. Photo by Lucas Stock
About Pgh Murals
Spreadsheet of Pittsburgh Public Art and blog archives
Map of Pittsburgh Public Art
This mural was done as part of the Allentown Business District Safety Initiative. It's a project of the Allentown Community Development Corporation that spearheaded several improvements in the business district designed to reduce the area's vulnerability to crime. Part of their approach is to reduce neighborhood blight.
...reflects the innovative roles that the Allentown area of Pittsburgh has played throughout the city's history. The community wanted to portray certain themes such as: local residents and their dedication to the neighborhood, historical landmarks (some that have remained and some that no longer exist,) and also the dynamics involved in the transportation of the areas workforce.
It was important to use pictures that were historically unique to this neighborhood. It's a good way to link younger and older generations of neighborhood residents. It also interplays on the architecture and purpose of the building itself.The Caliguri building has apartments for the elderly as well as a daycare center.
We were never able to locate more information about this mural. It's fairly simple - a row of trees painted along a long retaining wall. The subject makes the weeds along the road less noticeable as they seem to blend into the natural design.
