On a recent visit to Philadelphia,  I was astounded by the murals I saw.  Not only were they beautiful, but there were so many of them! What a treat to be stuck in traffic in downtown Philadelphia! We wanted to help create the same majesty in our own downtown Wilkes-Barre. So Arts YOUniverse sponsored the first mural that was done in the mid-town village on South Main Street.  John Pacovsky had a still life idea that Rob Finley (who owns the wall) agreed to, and 6 weeks later the wall was completed.  It has received such a good response that we decided to start a fund at the Luzerne Foundation so people could make tax deductible contributions that would be earmarked for future murals.  Typically they cost $25.00 per square foot to make – all costs included.

• Scaffolding
• Paint and supplies
• Artist professional fees for design and completion of murals
• Administration and planning costs
• Anti-graffiti coating

There are many benefits to a public arts project such as this one:

• Murals can represent a community effort if various groups have input in the design of their “wall”
• Artists get employment (sometimes those same artists who USED to paint graffiti)
• Tourism increases (think of guided mural tours…books…etc)
• Employees and residents are prouder of their environment
• Business are attracted to beautiful and creative environments.
• Children grow up surrounded by art, and come to “expect” beauty in their lives.

You can help by contacting us at 570-606-4668.

... and check out the rest of our murals on our Photo Page!!