“ It is a living , growing and uplifting community mural that will keep evolving .” the mural has brightened up a heavily trafficked corner in the community .
“ It just makes you feel better when you surround yourself with beautiful things ,” O ’ Mahony explains . “ Small things mean a great deal to people .”
The next step of the project was to coat the wall in weatherresistant paint . Power sketched a rough outline on the wall but let the volunteers adapt their own designs . Zentangle art is supposed to be spontaneous , rather than planned .
“ I didn ’ t want to dictate too much ,” she says . “ Everyone was a little scared at first , but I told them to just go with it . If you mess up , we will fix it . It ’ s just paint .”
It took about a week in July to prepare plywood and canvas frames and paint zentangle patterns on each section . Each section was then attached to the wall .
“ I think it was the hottest and most humid part of summer ,” Power laments .
Several volunteers helped paint the mural and install several wooded pieces in the shape of fish , clouds , zeppelins and hot air balloons . Motorists driving by honked their horns and shouted encouragement .
“ It was pretty inspirational ,” Power recalls .
Christine Spieler was one of the volunteers who helped paint the mural . Power had been her art teacher in middle school . Spieler graduated from Penn Hills in 2017 and is now studying criminology and psychology at Indiana University of Pennsylvania . She is overjoyed by the progress on the mural so far , and is now the youth board director for Bring Out the Best Project .
“ I love that our mural is a community asset and that it ’ s in an area that ’ s highly visible ,” Spieler explains . “ I am so proud of our work and the fact we were able to come together as a community to create something so beautiful .”
The finished project will be much more than just an art project , Power says . “ It evokes feeling and thought for the viewers and artists . That wall may have looked very neglected before , but by coming together look what we did as a community .
Future plans include another mural at Sophie ’ s Lanes bowling alley on Long Road .
For more information , visit bobproject . org . ■
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