A Scene from a Garden by multiple artists

About Pgh Murals
Spreadsheet of Pittsburgh Public Art and blog archives
Map of Pittsburgh Public Art

This is one of two Oakland murals done in 2013 by the Green Team of the Oakland Planning and Development Corporation, in partnership with the MLK Community Mural Project.

An article in the Oakland Planning and Development Corporation’s newsleter said residents decided the tone of the murals. They wanted a tranquil feel that reflected their vision for a greener Oakland. The newsletter quotes one of the young artists as saying I think the mural represents how the Oakland community has become more natural. The tree within the mural represents life and growth in Oakland.

In that same article we read that lead artist Olga Brinda used photos of her mother’s garden to create the final design.

A Garden Garage Window mural by Ben Schneider

About Pgh Murals
Spreadsheet of Pittsburgh Public Art and blog archives
Map of Pittsburgh Public Art

We noticed this panel at the back of what we assumed was another community garden. The owner came by though, and told us it was her lot and that a friend of her son’s had painted that for her.

Update:
Feb 2014
The mural is no longer there. The window on the small garage has been replaced.

The Night Garden by Katherine Young, Jill Fisher

About Pgh Murals
Spreadsheet of Pittsburgh Public Art and blog archives
Map of Pittsburgh Public Art

Once again, Curt Gettman at the Sprout Fund gave us their information for this mural:

Artists Katherine Young and Jill Fisher were looking to explore color theory with this design, located on an office and apartment building in Sheraden. They carefully considered their palette, choosing cool colors to represent a nighttime garden scene. The flora motif especially resonated with Sheraden community members, who expressed interest in a design with a great amount of visual beauty. Fisher and Young’s complex design was a difficult one to pull off, but their work was ultimately rewarded with a beautiful albeit ambitious addition to the Sprout portfolio.

Ye Olde Allegheny Park by Randy Gilson

About Pgh Murals
Spreadsheet of Pittsburgh Public Art and blog archives
Map of Pittsburgh Public Art

Another of Randy Gilson’s projects, Ye Olde Allegheny Park is one of eight of the parks he established in this neighborhood. Randy has taken on the task of cleaning up and beautifying the Central North Side with his very unique sense of style. It’s not just surface pretty though. This is another community garden that benefits his neighbors many more ways. Replacing vacant lots full of debris with flowers and vegetables and artwork has helped to revive this area’s sense of community.

Ye Olde Allegheny Garden murals by Randy Gilson

About Pgh Murals
Spreadsheet of Pittsburgh Public Art and blog archives
Map of Pittsburgh Public Art

A community garden in the Central North Side neighborhood is embellished with a colorful picket fence and several small murals. When the plants are high in late summer it's difficult to see some of these. They can get well concealed with greenery.

In 1982 Randy Gilson started to plant gardens all around this neighborhood. He established the Olde Allegheny Garden Society in an effort to beautify the neighborhood and teach the significance of the area’s history as Old Allegheny City.

Mr Gilson has spearheaded the clean up and beautification of this neighborhood with several gardens as well as Randyland. He accomplished so much and was so successful in his efforts that he priced himself out of the now trendy location. Taxes on his property at Randyland increased so much due to the rise in value here that in 2015 he transferred ownership of Randyland to the city. He stays on as the museum director and manages the very popular spot.