Wings Across Westmoreland art installation landing in Mt. Pleasant
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Wings Across Westmoreland will land in Mt. Pleasant on Saturday.
The seventh installation in Westmoreland Cultural Trust’s countywide art initiative will be unveiled during a ceremony at 10 a.m. at the Mt. Pleasant Public Library, 120 S. Church St.
Each set of wings includes features interpreting the community’s history and personality.
The Mt. Pleasant wings make reference to The Doughboy, Evergreen Drive-In, Samer’s Candyland, Frick Park, LE Smith Glass, Coal & Coke Trail, Penn Theater, Brown’s Candy Kitchen, Veteran’s Park, Daughters of the American Revolution and Helltown Brewing, whose name echoes a nickname the borough earned during the 1794 Whiskey Rebellion.
“The Wings Across Westmoreland collection is a fun and accessible way to learn of a town’s history through art,” said WCT CEO April Kopas. “We love that this project celebrates each community’s individuality, but unites the county through art.”
Community members were invited to submit ideas via social media for iconic imagery that best represented the town, with the top 15 chosen by former library board president Stacy DiPasquale, who was instrumental in bringing the wings to the borough.
The ideas were then researched and drawn by artist Patrick Mahoney and his daughter Riley Mahoney, who have designed each pair of wings.
“Community conversations help shape the Wings and inspire dialogue to continue well beyond the installation,” Kopas said.
Beloved place
“The library seemed to be the perfect location, given its proximity to Frick Park, the Mt. Pleasant Borough Building, the fire department and Main Street,” DiPasquale said. “The library is a beloved place for residents. It provides needed services, stellar programming for children and adults, and is a safe place for people to gather.”
As part of the installation ceremony, the library will host an open house from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors will be able to meet the new director, Heidi Leeper, and to learn about library services and upcoming programs and events. Refreshments will be served.
In addition to DiPasquale, attendees at the unveiling will include Leeper, Mt. Pleasant Mayor Gerald Lucia, Borough Manager Jeff Landy and current library board members, staff members and friends.
Funding for the Mt. Pleasant wings was provided by Michael J. and Aimee Rusinko Kakos.
“Because of their generous support, we can display Mt. Pleasant’s unique and rich history through art that everyone can enjoy,” Kopas said.
Mahoney, a WCT Incubator artist, created the first set of wings for WCT’s Art in the Alley outdoor art installation, located between The Palace Theatre and the Union Trust Building on North Main Street in Greensburg.
Images on those wings include Greensburg scenes such as The Palace and the county courthouse. Over the years, the wings gained popularity as a backdrop for selfies, shared via social media with the hashtag #WCTWings.
This inspired WCT to create wings for other county communities. Current locations include Art in the Alley, Overly’s Country Christmas, Sobel’s Obscure Brewery in Jeannette, Ligonier Town Hall, Five Star Trail in Youngwood and Smithton Borough Building.
An additional installation is planned for August in Vandergrift.
“In my mind, the Wings have come to symbolize hope for the future of Westmoreland County as residents work together for the good of all,” said Kathleen Ceroni, current Mt. Pleasant Library board president.
Details: thepalacetheatre.org