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The Erie Arts and Culture Purposeful Placemaking initiative now includes completion of the second mural along Pfeiffer-Burleigh Elementary's Safer Walking Route to School. Leveraging art, United Way's Safer Walking Routes to School and our connections to neighborhoods through the Community Schools Model, this placemaking project is an investment in neighborhood beautification. The theme for the Remnant Store mural, which was informed through community engagement and information gathering, is togetherness and a collective approach to building home.

Funding for this project is being provided by the City of Erie, Erie Insurance and other support to Erie Arts & Culture. United Way is serving in the role of impact partner assisting with community and media relations and connecting the mural artists with community members living in neighborhoods served by the Community Schools Model.  

The artists, both world-renowned and local, have received an outpouring of community support while painting the last two murals. Countless neighbors, as well as folks from throughout Erie County, have stopped to compliment the teams, take photos, and testify to the importance of this effort.

The third mural is also located along Pfeiffer-Burleigh's Safer Walking Route. The piece is being painted on Southern Indian Cuisine restaurant Curry Point located at the corner of East 12th and Ash Streets by Peruvian artist Ana Balcázar and her team of local artist assistants, including Calie Maloney, Precious Thompson, Raina Harden and Jamarion Hobson. The team is expected to finish this Friday, August 5.

And, our fourth mural is also underway! Christina Wolfe is one of the Erie-based artists participating in Purposeful Placemaking as a lead artist. Her mural is located on City of Erie Fire Department's Engine House 10 and is located on a walking route to Edison Elementary and East Middle Schools.

Christina is being assisted by a group of teenagers through Career & Dreams, an organization in the City of Erie that provides career development opportunities to youth ages 14 through 21. There have also been countless children in the neighborhood who have stopped by to lend a hand in painting.

The mural is expected to be complete Sunday, August 7.

Follow along with the Purposeful Placemaking mural project by following our album on Facebook.