Manchester Bridge Artifacts by Charles Keck

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Pittsburgh has, and has had, some wonderful bridges. Every time we bike across the 16th St Bridge I can't help admire the artwork high above. New bridges just don't get the funding for such fabulous, decorative additions. Back in 1917 they did, and the old Manchester bridge had some wonderful adornments on either end. When the bridge was demolished in 1970 the bronze sculptures were saved. They spent some time on the North Side and then disappeared from public view for many years, but in 2016 this end of the old bridge was placed back out in the public eye.

The images of 18th century guide Christopher Gist, Seneca leader Guyasuta, and the city of Pittsburgh's coat of arms have been installed near the spot where they originally were. Across the street from this installation you can see the old support pier from the Manchester Bridge - now integrated into A Tribute to Children (AKA the Mr Rogers sculpture).

The Forks by Isaac Witkin

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The Forks is owned by the Carnegie Museum of Art. The Smithsonian includes this description of the piece in its Collections Search:

Silver–colored aluminum abstract piece meant to symbolize the area known as the fork of the Ohio where Pittsburgh had its beginnings. Pittsburgh was founded at the convergence of the Ohio, Allegheny, and Monongahela rivers and later flourished as a vital industrial region. This sculpture is formed in welded, cast aluminum to produce a structure that reflects the force of the rivers and the metal industries it generated.

This 14 foot high sculpture was originally commissioned by the Alcoa Foundation for Allegheny Landing Sculpture Park. When the park was designed in 1983, the designated theme for the artwork was labor and industry. The Post Gazette art critic Donald Miller described the piece as suggesting molten metal, which represents the city’s industrial heritage well.

Jazz Players by Matthew Alexander

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We spotted this mural going up on the back walls of North Shore Place I and II and contacted the developer to find out more. They connected us directly with the artist, Matthew Alexander, who told us this about the installation:

...the graphic covers an area about 20 feet high and over 200 feet long on the backside of a set of retail buildings that overlook a large tailgating lot for the Steelers and Pirates as well as a freeway.

The North Shore Place I & II mural depicts the shadows of jazz musicians being cast up onto the rear of the buildings. The concept is to show the abstracted depictions of some of Pittsburgh’s most famous jazz musicians: Roy Eldridge, Ray Brown, Errol Garner, and Kenny Clarke, who are playing their instruments in a sort of back–alley, while what remains is their cast shadows.

The limitations I had to work within were set prior to my involvement: 1–2 colors, and silhouettes of jazz musicians. I worked with Rob Dower, an architect with Strada Architecture to complete and approve the design.

You can spot the mural from the Fort Duquesne bridge ramp. It makes the building stand out from the crowd and seems to be a perfect example of how art makes a difference. This very low key, subtle image totally changes the personality of the otherwise plain, brick building and parking lot.

Pittsburgh Variations by George Sugarman

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Allegheny Landing was one of the first outdoor sculpture parks in the country. It was also perhaps, the first step that Pittsburgh took in recognizing the potential of our riverfront property and reclaiming it for recreation rather than industrial use. Now the Three Rivers Heritage Trails system is a part of this park, with the Northshore Trail going around one of the sculptures as it follows the Allegheny River.

In 1984 several sculptures were dedicated in this green space. After 30 years three need some TLC, and Pittsburgh Variations is one of them. The bright colors on the painted aluminum shapes aren’t quite as bright on this sculpture now, but more importantly, this piece of artwork seems to be one of the few that we’ve seen around the city that have been targeted by vandals. Most of the murals and artwork are left alone (for the most part), but this sculpture has taken on quite a bit of graffiti. In 2010 plans were established to renovate the park. This is a joint venture between Friends of Allegheny Landing, the Carnegie Museum of Art (CMOA), City of Pittsburgh, PA Fish and Boat Commission, and Riverlife. There are several phases to it. Phase One involved replacing the dock, which was done in 2013. We’re not sure exactly when they will remove this sculpture for work, but the CMOA (who owns the piece) will oversee it’s restoration.

Pittsburgh Variations is an interactive sculpture, designed to represent four foundations of this city. George Sugarman used paddlewheel shapes to symbolize our three rivers; a fire or crucible shape to represent industry; a golden triangle theme for business and finance; and tree shapes for Penn’s Woods – representing all of Pennsylvania’s forests and natural resources.

The sculpture has benches integrated into the design and it’s placed directly onto the ground without a pedestal, making it more accessible. Mr Sugarman was one of the first artists to forego a pedestal on his public art. In his New York Times obituary by Roberta Smith, Mr Sugarman was quoted as having said about that: Objects and living things crawled and spread out on the ground. You had to bend down to see them properly. Your body had a different relationship to them. In other interviews Mr Sugarman expressed a dislike for art being separated from it’s physical and social environment.

Langley Observatory Clock by R. M. Fischer

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In 1859 a group of wealthy Pittsburghers founded the Allegheny Telescope Association and opened the observatory in 1861 to club members. It was well equipped with the third largest telescope in the world when it opened. Club membership dropped as interests changed and less than 10 years later the money for this venture was running out. It was then donated to the local University (Western University of Pennsylvania, now the University of Pittsburgh). It became known as the Allegheny Observatory and the University hired Samuel Pierpont Langley for their first director. As the Professor of Astronomy and Physics, Dr Langley expanded the facility to add classrooms, darkrooms, and dormitories, and conducted research on sunspots. In 1869 Dr Langley began to essentially sell time. Langley used astronomical measurements to accurately determine the time. He constructed a system with a telegraph connected to a master clock that would send out the exact time twice a day. The railroad industry needed precise times to run the trains, so they became his biggest customer. He used the money earned with this subscription service to fund the facility and his research.

This sculpture honors this particular aspect of Samuel Pierpont Langley’s work. The illuminated blue and yellow lights represent old railroad switchlamps. On top of the sculpture is a rotating clock minute hand with its shape based on our three rivers.

The sculpture is constructed of Corten Steel (the same type used for the USS Building, which actually develops a protective layer of rust), and stainless steel, with the minute hand being made out of aluminum.

This sculpture is at the boundary with the Chateau neighborhood and the Northshore and right on the Three Rivers Heritage Trail. It is part of the North Shore Riverfront Park (commissioned by the Sports and Exhibition Authority for this specific location) and part of a public art initiative designed to reconnect people with our rivers. In Mr Fischer’ artist statement he says it celebrates the act of looking out over the river. The work is a response to the industrial history of Pittsburgh while simultaneously appearing timeless and looking forward.

Willie Stargell sculpture by Susan Wagner

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There are four sculptures around PNC Park that pay tribute to some of the Pittsburgh Pirates greatest players. Three of them were created by Susan Wagner between 1994 and 2010. Those include Roberto Walker Clemente, Willie Stargel, and Bill Mazeroski. The fourth, Honus Wagner, was done back in 1955 by Frank Vittor. His brother Tony Vittor did the relief work on the base of the Honus Wagner sculpture.

Willie Pops Stargell

If ever there was a heart to a sports team, it was Pops. The Pirates have had their share of great players and fan favorites, but Willie Stargell was one of a kind. Yes, he was a tremendous hitter with 475 home runs, but that doesn’t tell you what a leader he was. Pops was the heart and soul of the team that won two World Series (1971, 1979), two National League pennants and six National League East titles. He was the force that brought the players together and made them more than just a team. He made them a family.

Dan Gigler of the Post–Gazette quoted artist Susan Wagner as saying that she used old photographs and film of Stargell as well as vintage uniforms and bats to create the sculpture. It took a year.

Once again, Astorino and Associates architecture firm designed the base for the sculpture and gave it a truely personal touch. They’ve inscribed a quote from Willie Stargel on his first impression of Pittsburgh when he arrived here.

Last night, coming in from the airport, we came through the tunnel and the city opened up its arms and I felt at home.

Willie Stargell used to give out Stargell Stars to reward teammates. The embroidered stars were worn proudly on thier hats, and images of those prized possesions are embedded in the pavement around the sculpture.

An unmatched power hitter, Pops was the only player to hit a ball out of Dodger Stadium for almost 30 years. He hit the ball so far that in two stadiums they painted the seat where he had hit to in a different color. (Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia and Olympic Stadium in Montreal)

Number 8 was retired by the Pirates in 1982. We may see a better player someday, but filling his shoes as the heart and soul of Pittsburgh baseball will be near impossible.

Honus Wagner sculpture by Frank Vittor, Tony Vittor

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There are four sculptures around PNC Park that pay tribute to some of the Pittsburgh Pirates greatest players. Three of them were created by Susan Wagner between 1994 and 2010. Those include Roberto Walker Clemente, Willie Stargel, and Bill Mazeroski. The fourth, Honus Wagner, was done back in 1955 by Frank Vittor. His brother Tony Vittor did the relief work on the base of the Honus Wagner sculpture.

Honus Wagner AKA The Flying Dutchman

Pittsburgh native Johannes Peter Honus Wagner was one of the first five players to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. One of – if not THE – best short stops ever, he also won eight batting titles. Considered to be the best all–around player by many, he was talented in every aspect of the game. When he retired for the last time, he held the National League’s record for all time hits.

As good a player as Honus Wagner was, he may be better known today because of his baseball card, the T206. There’s a mural in his hometown neighborhood of Carnegie that replicates it.

The Pirates retired number 33 in 1952. It’s one of only ten numbers retired by the Pittsburgh Pirates over the years. The others include Billy Meyer, Ralph Kiner, Willie Stargell, Bill Mazeroski, Paul Waner, Pie Traynor, Roberto Clemente, Danny Murtaugh, and one non–Pirate player – Jackie Robinson, who’s number was retired by all the teams.

According to wikipedia the sculptor, Frank Vittor, was known for his preference for the heroic and colossal. Some of his other works include Christopher Columbus and Charles Lindberg. A native of Italy, he studied art in Paris and eventually made Pittsburgh his home. He founded the Pittsburgh Society of Sculptors and taught at the Carnegie Institute (now CMU).

The reliefs on the base of the sculpture were done by Tony Vittor (Frank Vittor’s brother.) According to Pittsburgh Art in Public Places, they depict young people looking up at the baseball hero with admiration.

Art Rooney sculpture by Raymond Kaskey

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Art Rooney was a huge influence on this city and on sports. Not just local sports, and not just football, The Chief was involved in baseball and hockey too. Among other things, he had helped the Homestead Grays baseball team financially, and was a part owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins for several years.

As we sorted through information and interviews on line, we repeatedly saw comments about how kind and genuine Mr Rooney was. He took the time to meet and talk with people and treated everyone as if they were important, and what they had to say mattered.

Rather than try to quote or summarize all the wonderful stories we found on Mr Rooney, we’d like to direct you to this biography. It does a nice job of telling you what Mr Rooney was like. He was so much more than the owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Art Rooney Sr was the kind of person we all want to know. He represented the very best of Pittsburgh and we miss him.

When they were choosing the design for this sculpture, Mr Rooney’s son insisted that he not be portrayed with the infamous cigar in his mouth. He felt it would be a poor example for the kids. The artist, Raymond Kaskey (a native Pittsburgher), positioned it instead as if he were gesturing with it in his hand. I don’t know if anyone would recognize him without the cigar at all.

Nearby is a plaque with Mr Rooney’s famous quote: I never met a player I didn't like.

The Pittsburgh Panther sculpture by Thomas N. Mitrakos, Tiberiu Mosteanu

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Heinz Field is home to both the Pittsburgh Steelers and the University of Pittsburgh’s Pitt Pathers. Outside of Gate A, across the sidewalk, is a small reminder that the Panthers prowl here. Modeled after the trophy that the Pitt Varsity Letter Club presents to it’s Awardees of Distinction, The Pittsburgh Panther sits on top of a granite base. The pavement next to the sculpture gives the appearance that the bronze feline casts a shadow of the Cathedral of Learning (Pitt’s most prominent and well known building).

University of Pittsburgh, Cathedral of Learning

The trophy that the sculpture is copied from was designed by Thomas N. Mitrakos. Tiberiu Mosteanu (TM Sculpture Service) is responsible for creating this 12 foot long replica.

There is another copy of this design outside the Peterson Event Center in Oakland.

Roberto Walker Clemente sculpture by Susan Wagner

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There are four sculptures around PNC Park that pay tribute to some of the Pittsburgh Pirates greatest players. Three of them were created by Susan Wagner between 1994 and 2010. Those include Roberto Walker Clemente, Willie Stargel, and Bill Mazeroski. The fourth, Honus Wagner, was done back in 1955 by Frank Vittor. His brother Tony Vittor did the relief work on the base of the Honus Wagner sculpture.

Roberto Walker Clemente AKA The Great One

Roberto Clemente was a 12 time all star that played for the Pirates from 1955–1972. A major star in Puerto Rico, where he was born, Roberto spent a lot of off season time continuing to play baseball there. He also spent a lot of time doing charitable work in Puerto Rico and South America. It was on one of his charitable missions – flying relief supplies to the victims of a Nicaragua earthquake – that Roberto died. The plane crashed immediately after takeoff off the coast of Puerto Rico.

In an interview with WTAE, Susan Wagner (the sculptor of this piece) said and I read the article about how he died, and I fell in love with him. I got chills and I said, ’I have to do this’. This was only the second statue she had ever made. Extaordinary.

As are many of the public art displays around Pittsburgh, this one was also worked on by the Astorino Architecture firm. They designed the base of the display where they depict a baseball diamond. What makes it special though, is that marking the three bases are three small glass boxes, each containing a bit of soil from the important places in Roberto’s history. First base holds soil from Santurce Field, Carolina, Puerto Rico. It represents his birthplace as well as his time playing Puerto Rican Baseball. Second base holds a small bit of Forbes Field – a special place for number 21 as well as a lot of the other players and fans. In the 1960 World Series there, Roberto became the first Latino player to win a World Series as a starter. Third base contains the soil from Three Rivers Stadium. While never a particularly favorite stadium for watching baseball, it was where a lot of us saw The Great One play. It was also the stadium where Roberto won the MVP award during the 1971 World Series.

Roberto Clemente was so much more than just a great baseball player. His humanitarian work is respected by everyone. We could list all of the awards that he won in baseball, but you can look those up on line. We will mention instead the three civilian awards from the US Government issued to him posthumously:
The Roberto Walker Clemente Congressional Gold Medal (1973)
Presidential Citizens Medal (1973)
Presidential Medal of Freedom (2003)

The citation on the Citizens Medal reads:

All who saw Roberto Clemente in action, whether on the diamond or on the front lines of charitable endeavor, are richer for the experience. He stands with the handful of men whose brilliance has transformed the game of baseball into a showcase of skill and spirit, giving universal delight and inspiration. More than that, his selfless dedication to helping those with two strikes against them in life has blessed thousands and set an example for millions. As long as athletes and humanitarians are honored, Roberto Clemente's memory will live; as long as Citizens Medals are presented, each will mean a little more because the first one went to him.

Before the naming rights for the new stadium were sold, PNC Park was almost named after Roberto Clemente. The right field wall in the new park is 21 feet high in his honor. (21 being his number, and right field his position.) The former 6th St Bridge was renamed the Roberto Clemente Bridge, and the large green space west of the stadium is Roberto Clemente Memorial Park. There are plenty of other naming honors around the city and elsewhere.

Just a few stats:
career 3,000 hits
career average of .317
First Latino MVP
First Latino inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame

Bill Mazeroski Sculpture by Susan Wagner

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There are four sculptures around PNC Park that pay tribute to some of the Pittsburgh Pirates greatest players. Three of them were created by Susan Wagner between 1994 and 2010. Those include Roberto Walker Clemente, Willie Stargel, and Bill Mazeroski. The fourth, Honus Wagner, was done back in 1955 by Frank Vittor. His brother Tony Vittor did the relief work on the base of the Honus Wagner sculpture.

Bill Mazeroski – AKA: Maz

Done in 2010, this is the newest of the four sculptures. It commemorates not just a great player, but a single moment in the Pirates history that has thrilled fans for over 50 years. On Oct 13, 1960 at 3:36pm, Maz hit the home run that won the World Series for the Pirates against the NY Yankees. It was a 406 foot hit over the left field wall at the bottom of the ninth. The only time a home run has won game 7, it was a dramatic ending to the 1960 World Series.

Susan Wagner captured a moment as Maz ran the bases. He was on his way from second to third base when he held his arms out – his helmet in the air – in celebration.

Fans still meet in Oakland (where Forbes Field was) every year on the anniversary to listen to a recording of the game. Sometimes Maz joins them for a bit. In 2003 ESPN published the 100 Greatest Home Runs of All Time and this run was at the top of the list.

Maz had a long career with the Pirates. He’s still considered one of the best defensive second basemen of all time, holding the record for double plays at that position. Nicknamed The Glove he had many great moments, but this one is the one that Maz will always be remembered for.