Central North Side takes shape

Neighborhood group fights blight with art

After this weekend, a blighted block along North Avenue will have been transformed into an outdoor art space.

A Central Northside Neighborhood Council (CNNC) sub-committee along with a Mexican War Streets artist, local businesses and the city, teamed up to create a temporary solution to the neglected buildings near the Garden Theater.

Artist Dan Wintermantel has designed a series of colorful shapes that will be painted on the dreary facades by a crew of volunteers (the photo above shows what the project will look like).

The city approved the project, the URA donated and installed plywood on the facades, Duquesne Light improved the lighting and the Sherwin-Williams paint store on Western Avenue donated all the paint and supplies, said committee member Barbara Talerico.

“The goal was to make this area more appealing to neighbors and potential developers as we work to restore the corridor,” said Talerico. She is seeking volunteers to prime and paint the designs this weekend and next.

Artist Dan Wintermantel describes his designs as symbols of hope for the area.

“The images are simply geometric shapes suggesting movement and excitement coming to a block that has been stagnant and blighted for many years,” said Wintermantel.

The panels and lighting are temporary and will be in place until development is underway, he said.

Volunteers are needed help prime the wood, then Wintermantel will color code the designs for painting and volunteers will sort of paint-by-numbers. Talerico is also seeking DJs and musicians to serenade the helpers.

“I prefer to think of [the designs] as a sign rather than a mural,” added Wintermantel. “A sign that things are moving onward and upward for North Avenue and the Northside.”

Email Talerico at bjtalerico@comcast.net if you would like to be involved in brightening up the blight.