Published November 08. 2025 03:54AM

Good Shepherd Rehabilitation has dedicated a five-story-tall mural gracing the southwest corner of its South Allentown Campus parking garage at 850 S. Fifth St., Allentown.

Created by muralist Matt Halm, the kaleidoscope of images and colors appear to spin around a yellow sun-like image.

“As you can see behind me, this isn‘t just a mural. It‘s a message,” said Good Shepherd CEO Michael Spigel at the Sept 5 ceremony held across the street from the artwork at Good Shepherd’s Hyland Center.

“A towering, vibrant tribute to inclusion, creativity and the power of community,” continued Spigel. He praised Halm’s “vision and artistry.” Spigel thanked the committee of volunteers from Good Shepherd whose “many hands” helped shape it.

“So, this is great to be here and work on this in the community I grew up in,” said Halm. “It brought back a lot of great memories.”

Under Halm’s supervision, patients, residents and staff picked up paintbrushes to assist in bringing his artwork to life.

“The sections were done in a paint-by-numbers fashion,” said Halm. Volunteers colored in his drawings made on Polytab fabric panels prior to installation on the building’s façades.

“We glued it up like wallpaper.” the Bethlehem-based artist explained. “It’s a permanent installation. So, this mural will last for years to come.”

Spigel noted that Good Shepherd was founded in 1908 as Good Shepherd Home for Orphans and Aged to provide those with disabilities a place to live. “From that day forward, this neighborhood has been our home,” he said.

In addition to reaffirming its commitment to their mission and community, Spigel said, “We wanted to create a welcoming beacon, something that would greet our patients, caregivers, neighbors and staff with warmth and inspiration.”

Participating in the dedication were Lehigh County Executive Phil Armstrong, Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk, State Rep. Peter G. Schweyer (D-134), State Rep. Rep. Mike Schlossberg (D-132), and Gail Vee-Var from the office of State Sen. Nick Miller (D-14th).

PRESS PHOTO BY ED COURRIERLehigh Valley muralist Matt Halm completed a five-story-tall mural on the southwest corner of Good Shepherd Rehabilitation’s South Allentown Campus parking garage, 850 S. Fifth St., Allentown.