Fallen Heroes Memorial by James Simon

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In 2009 Pittsburgh lost three of its heroes. No, they didn’t play for the Steelers. The sports they were known for were high school hockey and neighborhood baseball games. As adults these three men served as our police officers and lost their lives protecting us.

On a sad morning in Stanton Heights, these men were ruthlessly gunned down. Pittsburgh had not lost an officer in the line of duty in the previous 18 years and the shock of this tragedy hit our city hard.

Two years later, a memorial was dedicated to their memory and in tribute to all of our first responders. Sculptor James Simon created the memorial with input from the officer’s families. At its dedication Mr Simon said that he hoped this memorial celebrates and affirms their lives and brings something beautiful and positive to this painful memory.

The memorial depicts Michael the Archangel – the patron saint of police. The protector and leader of the army of God against the forces of evil, Saint Michael is known in Christian, Jewish and Islamic religions. The sculpture is cast in 300 pounds of concrete.

Michael the Archangel stands on a pedestal with photographs of the three officers killed that day in April: Eric G. Kelly, Paul J. Sciullo II, and Stephen J. Mayhle.

Beside the sculpture is a stainless steel shield manufactured by Forms+Surfaces in Etna.

AKA Doris by Laura Jean McLaughlin, Bob Ziller

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We had heard there was something new happening in this small, neighborhood garden in Bloomfield, so we rode over to see what we might find. To our great pleasure we discovered that Laura Jean McLaughlin and Bob Ziller were in the process of creating another mosaic piece for this beautiful spot.

We noticed how the creature’s back looked like it might be perfect for kids to sit on.

Curious about the small prisms we saw scattered around the tall tail, we looked closer we found kaleidoscopes! How cool is that? The best part is that they’re positioned for both the young and the young at heart – so we didn’t have to kneel down to try them out.

We plan to return once the sculpture is completed to get updated photos and information. It’s a wonderful addition to the garden and the neighborhood.

UPDATE:
We contacted the artists for more information and Mr Ziller told us

"There will eventually be a bird house and a weathervane on top of the tail, and the top of her head contains a basin which funnels rainwater out of her mouth, which will go into a mosaic birdbath in the shape of a big teacup (which has yet to be made/funded)."

He also directed us to the Facebook page for The Octopus Garden where there’re photos of the construction from the beginning. They also show you how to make your own kaleidoscopes like the ones embedded in Doris’ tail.

In an interview with this Sea Dragon on that FB page, we learn that Fabulousa Lochnessa Kaleidoscopa Mosaica comes from Loch Ness in Scottland. Her famous sister (Nessie) calls her Bessie, but her friends call her Doris.

Doris is being worked on every afternoon except Sundays and the public can participate with placing the tiles. This is a very cool project and we recommend you stop by if you can. Even if you can’t stay to help, it’s worth it to see the process.

UPDATE:
We rode by in late December to check on Doris. It appears that Doris herself is complete. The birdhouse has been started, but no sign of the weathervane or birdbath yet. We noted some other additions to the garden and are looking forward to seeing it in the spring again.

UPDATE 5 May 2014
The birdhouse is finished. No sign of the birdbath or weathervane yet, but Doris and the surrounding garden appear ready for spring.

The Gateway by Michael Walsh, Jeremy Groznik

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This is a two piece sculpture installed on buildings across the street from each other – one in Garfield, the other in Bloomfield.

We were able to find very little information on it. Only that it was a project of the Penn Avenue Arts Initiative, and this paragraph in the Post Gazette Arts and Entertainment section by Bob Batz Jr in June of 2002:

"The Gateway" is two large mirror-image stainless steel sculptures mounted on the outside walls of two buildings on either side of Penn Avenue (5149 and 5150) symbolizing a bridge between Friendship, Bloomfield and Garfield. The Penn Avenue Arts Initiative collaborated on it with artists Michael Walsh and Jeremy Groznik.

Sargent Electric Tile Mosaic - artist unknown

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This tile mosaic mural is on a building that used to be owned by Sargent Electric Company. If you look at the map for the Strip District murals, you'll find that Sargent Electric has a series of new murals covering the history of electricity at its current location as well.

This mural has only the one panel covering Benjamin Franklin’s discovery, hydroelectric power and what appears to be an early power plant. The murals at their new location pick up where this one left off and depict scenes regarding electric themes past, present and future.

Summary:

Artist(s): Unknown
Address:3424 Liberty Ave
City:Pittsburgh (Bloomfield)
Zip Code:15201
Organization:

PghMurals@gmail.com
Twitter: @PghMurals

Food Themed Mural - artist unknown

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This mural is next to the outside eating area for a restaurant.

Summary:

Artist(s): Unknown
Address: 4428 Liberty Ave
City:Pittsburgh (Bloomfield)
Zip Code:15224
Organization:

PghMurals@gmail.com
Twitter: @PghMurals

Tribute to Veterans Mural by Marc Runco

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This mural is on a building that we believe used to be a VFW post. That would explain the military/patriotic theme. So far we've been unable to uncover any information about it though.

UPDATE 19 Aug 2013:
This morning we received an email from Senator Ferlo explaining that this mural was one of two mural projects that he and artist Marc Runco collaborated on. The other project being the one of Highland Park.

Senator Ferlo told us that he had the alley way next to this building renamed Veteran’s Way in honor of the VFW chapter and all veterans. He went on to say that:

Commander Ray Fern recently passed away and was very active in the community and with veteran's service organizations. Mr. Charlie DiNardo of Spinello Construction, now deceased, was an art lover and many times donated paint and equipment for these community projects.

The mural is a very nice tribute to veterans.

Summary:

Artist(s): Marc Runco
Address: Ella or Gangwish St
City:Pittsburgh (Bloomfield)
Zip Code:15224

PghMurals@gmail.com
Twitter: @PghMurals

Grand Mère by Bob Ziller

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Grand Mère (Grandmother) is a tribute to the artist's own grandmother. She arrived in the United States as a 20 year old bride, travelling alone and knowing no english. She followed her husband a year after he emigrated from France, where they both had grown up on farms.

Bob Ziller recognized the amount of courage it took for her to make that journey at such a young age. He portrays her flying as a super hero because that's what she is to him. The strength and courage she displayed when she took that leap of faith were superhuman.

Summary:

Artist(s): Bob Ziller
Address:4610 Liberty Ave
City:Pittsburgh (Bloomfield)
Zip Code:15224

PghMurals@gmail.com
Twitter: @PghMurals

Bridging the Generations of Bloomfield by Monika McAndrew

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Little Italy. That's what many Pittsburgher’s call Bloomfield. With plenty of Italian foods and traditions, this tight knit community celebrates Columbus Day and Little Italy Days with pride and enthusiasm. This Sprout Fund mural does a good job of maintaining the neighborhood’s identity and preserving that ethnic connection. It shows generations of immigrants in a sort of parade through history. Some traditional dress, some more modern flavored, but still with the ethnic ties to the old country.
Jennifer Baron quotes Bloomfield's Mainstreets manager (in an article on Popcitymedia.com) as saying We wanted to capture the history and closeness of the community, the essence of a united neighborhood. She also said that the mural enhances additional community development and that We're hoping that a lot of people will park in our public lot, visit the farmer’s market, walk into the business district, and look at the mural. It all ties in – it’s the perfect neighborhood for it.

Summary:
Artist(s): Monika McAndrew
Address: 4727 Liberty Ave
City:Pittsburgh (Bloomfield)
Zip Code:15224
Organization: Sprout Fund

PghMurals@gmail.com
Twitter: @PghMurals