Pigeon Positivity
Help us create dozens of ceramic pigeons to fly on Spring Hill!
We want to bring seniors and kids together to make pigeons to beautify our neighborhood and to encourage the two groups to mix.
Leader
Linda Wallen
Location
Chestnut St Opp Concord St Pittsburgh, PA 15212
About the project
Building on 25 years of mosaics and public art on Spring Hill, we want to engage normally segregated parts of our community to dignify a one-mile corridor along Itin, Rhine and Walz Streets. We want to improve these 3 streets by placing ceramic pigeons on the natural rock surfaces and other spots. Working with the after-school program of our local elementary school and the elderly residents of St. Ambrose housing we will facilitate the creation of dozens of ceramic birds to be mounted in the streets on various stone and masonry surfaces. A community scavenger hunt with maps will further engage all participants and their families.
The Steps
- JUNE Build basic bird parts from clay at the Manchester Craftsmen's Guild
- JULY Paint bisque-fired birds with the seniors at Ambrose Manor
- SEPTEMBER Paint bisque-fired birds with the kids at the Spring Hill Elementary School
- OCTOBER High-fire pigeons and install on the 3 streets
- NOVENBER Scavenger Hunt with maps so each participant can find their own pigeon
Why we‘re doing it
Everyone who lives in our community drives or walks at least some part of this corridor as it’s an entryway to our neighborhood. Ultimately we hope to influence some pride of place so people take care of the trash and weeds along these streets. We hope the seniors and kids have a significant experience during the making of pigeons and an important interaction during the Scavenger Hunt. As we reach a critical mass of mosaics and ceramics in public places we hope to bring attention to our community which will ultimately improve our neighborhood.