The individual in the bold blue superhero-style cape stands tall on the 10-by-18 foot mural.
She’s facing away. Her hair is styled in a bun.
The words family, pets, school, plants, parks, home, and the outdoors are written on yellow in front of her.
On her back is inscribed “Art, Music, Ending Racism, Helping Others.”
The work titled “Heroes on the Horizon” was unveiled Thursday at Bakery Square in Pittsburgh. It is displayed on the wall of the Galley, a four restaurant eatery, which opened earlier this month. An adjacent artwork spells out “One community.”
The creations were done by Janel Young, a Beltzhoover native who lives in Pittsburgh’s North Side.
“It has been an incredible journey,” said Young. “I consider myself a community artist, and I love helping other people to communicate through art. “
Young was selected among 85 submissions to be a resident artist. She worked with elementary students from Lincoln K-5 and the Urban Academy of Greater Pittsburgh. Young’s work is one of two artist’s exhibits to be featured in the space. The second is planned to be installed later this year by Brighton Heights artist Lori Hepner.
The collaborations are part of Walnut Capital’s $20 million Bakery Square “refresh,” which included adding the Galley and other dining options, an expanded courtyard and indoor atrium.
More than 4,000 people shop and dine at Bakery Square, so the artwork will be accessible to everyone, said Todd Reidbord, co-founder and president of Walnut Capital, which worked with the Larimer Consensus Group, a liaison between Larimer’s residential area and Bakery Square.
Here it is… Janel Young’s art installation at Bakery Square!!! pic.twitter.com/swF9FGMpHj
— JoAnne Harrop (@joannescoop) June 10, 2021
Young’s Bakery Square artwork is her first 3D project.
“It looks amazing,” said Young, who recently painted a street mural Downtown for the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival. “What is more amazing is the reaction from the kids and how happy they are.”
Young had an impact on the students, said Pamela Parks, Lincoln principal.
“Art is so important for our students, Parks said. “Art gives them a different outlet to express themselves.”
Lincoln fifth graders Simmiya Page and Alana Dorsey marveled at Young’s talent.
“She is really inspiring,” Page said. “She used things we told her to create the art.”
“It is really cool to see how she makes art,” Dorsey said. “She makes us want to do more art.”
K. Chase Patterson, Urban Academy CEO, said Young is art in human form.
“Janel is always growing, advancing, re-inventing,” he said. “To be so young and prominent is great. She is so likeable and she easily connects with people.”
Nellie Lou Slagle, one of the jurors from Oakland, said Young’s work is solid.
“It’s not just a script,” Slagle said. “It’s a strong message.”
