"First Cast Iron Bridge Mural"
This mural on my blog was painted by a group of inmates at the maximum security prison, SCI Fayette. At the time I was an Arts Instructor at the facility and was approached by a group of individuals working with the Brownsville Area Redevelopment Corporation (BARC).
This project was to highlight the historical significance of the first cast iron bridge in America, which was built in Brownsville. The first photo above is of the completed mural installed on the side of the American Legion building in Brownsville, PA (Size 20ft. by 40ft.). The second image is of a painting done by a painter named Carl Rakeman depicting the bridge as it looked when it was built in 1839. My inmates used it as inspiration for the project. Below is a slide show of the installation process that you can view or pause to look at details.
A quote from one of my inmate artists:
"We were able to come together as a team, and work off of each other's
creativity. It is gratifying to be able to contribute something back to society that will
have a positive impact. I hope that it inspires others to contribute to their community".
This mural on my blog was painted by a group of inmates at the maximum security prison, SCI Fayette. At the time I was an Arts Instructor at the facility and was approached by a group of individuals working with the Brownsville Area Redevelopment Corporation (BARC).
This project was to highlight the historical significance of the first cast iron bridge in America, which was built in Brownsville. The first photo above is of the completed mural installed on the side of the American Legion building in Brownsville, PA (Size 20ft. by 40ft.). The second image is of a painting done by a painter named Carl Rakeman depicting the bridge as it looked when it was built in 1839. My inmates used it as inspiration for the project. Below is a slide show of the installation process that you can view or pause to look at details.
A quote from one of my inmate artists:
"We were able to come together as a team, and work off of each other's
creativity. It is gratifying to be able to contribute something back to society that will
have a positive impact. I hope that it inspires others to contribute to their community".
2012 Mural "Monessen Blast Furnaces"
image taken from an old colorized postcard
"The Monessen Blast Furnace"
This mural was done in the summer of 2012 at the Douglas Education Center in Monessen. I worked with a couple dozen High School students from the Mon River area. The Mural depicts the first blast furnace built along the Mon River at the very beginning of 1900. It was owned and operated by the Pittsburgh Steel Company.
The slide show which follows shows the various steps that were taken to bring the mural to completion.
This mural was done in the summer of 2012 at the Douglas Education Center in Monessen. I worked with a couple dozen High School students from the Mon River area. The Mural depicts the first blast furnace built along the Mon River at the very beginning of 1900. It was owned and operated by the Pittsburgh Steel Company.
The slide show which follows shows the various steps that were taken to bring the mural to completion.
"Monessen Blast Furnace Mural"
Installation
The installation of the mural was done on the 3rd and 4th stories of the Monessen Historical Society's building on Donner Street in Monessen PA.
My good friends, Dave Lesako, Jami Rinehart, and Dachmon Ruge helped with the mounting of the mural. Each panel was brushed on its back with a thick coat of adhesive and then two of us would carry the cloth panel up two 32 foot ladders to position the panels. Once in place the panels are rubbed down with a cloth to ensure that it sticks to the wall. A slide show of the installation is below.
Installation
The installation of the mural was done on the 3rd and 4th stories of the Monessen Historical Society's building on Donner Street in Monessen PA.
My good friends, Dave Lesako, Jami Rinehart, and Dachmon Ruge helped with the mounting of the mural. Each panel was brushed on its back with a thick coat of adhesive and then two of us would carry the cloth panel up two 32 foot ladders to position the panels. Once in place the panels are rubbed down with a cloth to ensure that it sticks to the wall. A slide show of the installation is below.