Community, Caring and Conversations Through Time 2025
These three paintings open a dialogue with the historic bronze plaques across the hallway. They offer insight into patient care and community engagement with the hospital over time. In the first painting, a patron from the early 1900’s and an architect from the 1970’s discuss changes in the hospital’s location and design. Note the newsletter printed behind the patron has the former name and location - The Pittsburgh Homeopathic Hospital on Smithfield Street, Downtown.
UPMC Shadyside Hospital
Paint, ink polycarbonate and ACM
Commissioned by UPMC and Generously funded by the Shadyside Hospital Foundation
The central pair imagines and original nurse from the 1860’s with a contemporary nurse talking about scientific breakthroughs and new technologies in patient care. X-rays were invented in 1895, imagine her surprise learning about an MRI.
Service organizations began with the Hospital’s founding in 1866. Community members donated food regularly, brought books and volunteers routinely sewed gowns and linens for patients. The arts have always played a role in funding and bringing comfort to patients at the hospital. this tradition continues today.
Residencies in 2023 and 2024 in the Larimer neighbourhood with students from Lincoln Elementary and
Urban Academy for Bakery Square retail space. Supported by Walnut Capital. Final placement in 2025.
URBAN
Snapshots of Perry Hilltop
The idea came from combining a children’s board game and historical timeline of the community. Residents and places depicted exist or existed in Hazelwood. To allow maximum participation, I combined mauroflage (adhering a painted fabric to a wall) and direct painting. Words painted on the squares are from residents describing everything about their community. Mural completed summer of 2019, Acrylic, 2,000+ sq ft.
Time Travelers
Created in partnership with Edith Abeyta
(Arts Excursions Unlimited) and Support from Trying
Together and City of Pittsburgh and Hazelwood residents 2019
LANTERN
*2011
Public art project commissioned by the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh and funded by the National Endowment for the Arts and The Grable Foundation. A link in the local Charm Bracelet Project. Designed in collaboration with The Pittsburgh Project, Art and Soul woman’s group, Perry Hilltop Community members and Jill Joyce, architect. The Lantern is a replica of an 1850’s lantern used by escaping slaves. Stainless steel footprints represent a path towards freedom. Landscaped grassy area also contains bench and native trees.
10’ x 10’ x 22’ steel lantern, 100’x 82.5’ public green space. Inside, looking up. The viewer can see the Big Dipper and Little Dipper constellations have been cut into the steel top of the lantern, allowing the light to shine out and lead the way towards freedom. Solar powered lights shine at night.
Other murals and public art
