POTTSVILLE, Pa. – A mural years in the making is finally complete here at Alvernia University’s Pottsville CollegeTowne.
“I’m really glad to have been a part of it,” artist Leslie Ramos said.
Progress Avenue stretches nearly 4,600 square feet, showcasing the history of Pottsville mixed with iconic elements of Alvernia University.
“This is the biggest project I’ve ever worked on,” Ramos explained.
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The artist said her goal was to fill the mural with symbols of what Ramos says make Pottsville distinctive.
“One of the main ones was energy, coal, the mountains and the beautiful scenery here. And I really tried to incorporate that in a vibrant way,” Ramos said.
She said the mural wasn’t just made by artists; everyday members of the community came to help work during their public painting events.
“We’ve had probably hundreds of volunteers help paint that between both campuses,” Ramos explained.
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Reading Artist Mike Miller said this is the largest piece of art he’s ever worked on.
‘We had a good balance of, you know, painting just with a roller, painting with stencils, but then also hand painting these things,” Miller said.
Ramos said even though the mural was a lot of hard work, it was all worth it for the finished product.
“I hope that anyone who walks past this wall sees their own story in it — where Pottsville has been and where it is going,” Ramos said.
Now, the finished mural is more than a piece of art; it’s a way of honoring Pottsville’s past and looking forward to its future.
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