Color Beechview, a Community Art Project to Bring Generations Together

PITTSBURGH, PA (PittsburghNewsWire.com) — The Public Art and Civic Design Division and CitiParks of the City of Pittsburgh in collaboration with Age-Friendly Greater Pittsburgh are pleased to present Color Beechview, a community public art project that adds vibrancy to the neighborhood and builds intergenerational solidarity.

The different partners in this project hope to create a colorful public space that welcomes people of all ages and includes them during the design process of creating the artwork. In addition, the project aims to bring together residents from all walks of life in a community that is undergoing rapid demographic changes. In this case, a project of this nature could be the precedent for other interventions similar to this to take place in other City facilities, thus bringing integration, programming, and activation to these sites as well as exposure among residents to public art.

The work of art will be produced in collaboration with the community with technical assistance from Lively Pittsburgh and the guidance of artist Lori Hepner (www.lorihepner.com). Three workshops will be held at the Beechview Healthy Active Living Center (1555 Broadway Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15216); these events will be open to the public:

Thursday, September 27 — 3:30-5:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 4 — 3:30-5:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 18 — 3:30-5:00 p.m.

Lori Hepner’s work merges photography, wearable technology, and performance/active motion. The temporary work of art produced during the workshops will be displayed around the entrance to this City facility.

Color Beechview is a continuation of intergenerational community-building started through The Crossings, pop-up street performances that build visibility and change policies in favor of crosswalk safety for people of all ages and abilities. Lively Pittsburgh, in partnership with Age-Friendly Greater Pittsburgh and other local organizations and residents, led a performance of The Crossings in Beechview on June 8, 2018. Watch the video here.

By supporting projects like this, the City of Pittsburgh reiterates its commitment to integrating programming and art elements as devices to reinforce public gathering places, infrastructure, neighborhoods, and communities.

“We are excited to see the continued beautification of Beechview through this new and innovative program, said District 4 Councilman Anthony Coghill. “I can’t wait to see the final product that our neighbors produce through the Color Beechview project by the City of Pittsburgh and our partner organizations.”

About CitiParks
CitiParks, The Department of Parks and Recreation with the City of Pittsburgh, offers City-wide programs for area residents of all ages, that work to enhance their quality of life.  We embrace the opportunity to provide our citizens with indoor and outdoor activities throughout Citiparks’ facilities all year long.

About the City of Pittsburgh Public Art and Civic Design Division
This division promotes and ensures quality design of city-owned architecture, infrastructure, and landscape in order to create and enhance place-making by the inclusion of art and arts programming to reflect the city’s history, diversity, and culture. The division performs three main functions: staffing of the City’s Art Commission; conservation and maintenance of the City’s Art collection, and the implementation of new commissions of public art and arts programs and initiatives on City property, citywide.

About Age-Friendly Greater Pittsburgh
Age-Friendly Greater Pittsburgh brings people of all ages together to rethink how our neighborhoods are built and to take action to make them more inclusive and respectful of every generation. Part of the World Health Organization and AARP’s Network of Age-Friendly Communities, Age-Friendly Greater Pittsburgh is an initiative of Southwestern Pennsylvania Partnership for Aging with support from the Mary Hillman Jennings Foundation.