A VISIT TO STEEL TOWN WALLS ON THE NORTH SIDE

by Grace Marcy Lucas

This October, muralists and style artists took over East Ohio Street. Five murals were painted in the span of a week, with both local artists and international artists participating.

Organized by Ashley Hodder and Sef, the event tied together local and global muralists. From Pittsburgh, Sandy Kessler Kaminski, Matt Spahr, and Scott Brozovich participated in this marathon paint. Bublegum from Spain and Buster from Mexico, each painted their own mural along East Ohio Street. Famous graffiti artist Mike 171 was brought in from New York to oversee the massive undertaking. One thing was abundantly clear while observing this event: everyone was observing. Artists, videographers, organizers, and community members alike were all connected through their observations.

For the artists, noticing was part of their practice. Bublegum took careful note of the wall he was painting on. He noted that the wall does not exist in isolation, and there was a smaller, Art Nouveau-style mural on the top-right side of his wall. Bublegum based his design on what was already there, incorporating black outlines, flowers, and softer lines. Bublegum hoped to situate his work within an already existing community; adding to what was there rather than making something entirely new.

Pittsburgh resident Sandy Kessler drew her mural design from what she saw in the news. Those who stopped to watch Sandy paint may have noted her use of paint brushes rather than spraypaint. Her mural was an homage to the First Amendment, dedicated to journalism and to photojournalist Scott Goldsmith. Fed up with our current administration and their attacks on our press, Sandy urges those who see her mural to stop and reflect on our government. Her mural evokes a sense of civic pride in the Bill of Rights and hopefully ignites a spark in onlookers—a spark to keep fighting.

Graffiti writer Legend Mike 171 was the guest of honor in Deutschtown, bringing both energy and a sense of security. After talking to Mike 171, it was clear that he was doing more than support the artists. He was observing the neighborhood community as well. Mike said that it doesn’t take long to understand a community’s dynamic. He could tell who was friends, who wasn’t, who owned the shops, and more.

While spending time at Buster’s, Sandy’s, and Bublegum’s walls, it became clear that I was not the only active observer. When talking to community members, they all expressed excitement about seeing the murals finished, and some even joked with the artist. In these pockets of painting, people slowed down. We stopped moving so fast, stopped looking down. There’s an art to observing, one I wasn’t keen on until my time spent in Deutschtown. Steeltown walls not only beautified East Ohio Street, but also allowed participants of all kinds to take a moment to stop and smell the roses, or perhaps to watch artists work.

All the murals are now complete, and it’s well worth taking a trip down to the North Side to see them and get a slice of the local community!

Grace Marcy Lucas is a senior at the University of Pittsburgh. She studies Communications, Political Science, as well as Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s studies. Grace aspires to combine her passion for the arts with her communication studies and writing experience.