Art Sparks

Art can transform a public space. Art can spark a young mind. And when joined together art can add an element of surprise to a simple rest stop, revealing unknown beauty the journey. In partnership with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, the PCA has created Art Sparks, a program that places student-created murals in Turnpike Service Plazas to bring unexpected beauty and excitement to drivers' travels, while giving young artists a unique creative opportunity.

Students at Lower Dauphin High School working on the mural for the Lawn Service Plaza on the PA Turnpike

Art Sparks aims to install a local, student-created art piece in every Service Plaza system-wide over the next five years. A school that resides in the municipality of a chosen Service Plaza will be selected by the PCA and its Arts in Education (AIE) partners to participate in the program. Students will have autonomy in choosing the subject matter of the final piece, but each artwork will highlight subjects specific to the respective region of Pennsylvania.

Students work with teaching artists from the PCA’s nationally-recognized AIE program, which pairs experienced teaching artists with educators in schools and community settings across the commonwealth. PCA teaching artist residencies teach conceptual thinking, visual and creative skills, promote team work, and engage students of all abilities and learning styles.

Rest. Stop. Imagine all the places you could go.

Students at Lower Dauphin High School working on the mural for the Lawn Service Plaza on the PA Turnpike

Completed Projects To-Date

Lawn Service Plaza
This project was created by Lower Dauphin High School students, with teaching artist Meg Caruso and art teacher Dana Attivo; administered by PCA Arts in Education Partner, Jump Street.

Oakmont Service Plaza
Created by students at Riverview Junior/Senior High School, with teaching artist Laura Jean McLaughlin and art teacher Glenn Garrison; administered by PCA Arts in Education Partner, Pittsburgh Filmmakers/Pittsburgh Center for the Arts.

South Somerset Service Plaza
Created by students at Somerset Area High School, with teaching artist Martha Murphy and art teacher Kayla Borosky; administered by PCA Arts in Education Partner, Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art.

King of Prussia Service Plaza
Created by students at Radnor High School, with teaching artist Bailey Cypress and art teachers Tracey Dean and Erik Barrett; administered by PCA Arts in Education Partner, Philadelphia Arts in Education Partnership.

Radnor High School art students stand at the unveiling celebration for the mural series they created for the King of Prussia service plaza with teaching artist Bailey Cypress and art teachers Tracey Dean and Erik Barrett (June 2018)

Cumberland Valley
Created by students at Big Spring Middle School, with teaching artist Denise Hoke and teacher Mike McVitty; administered by PCA Arts in Education Partner, Jump Street.

New Stanton
Created by students at Hempfield High School, with teaching artist Susan Novak and teacher Emily Daignault; administered by PCA Arts in Education Partner, South Central PaARTners at Millersville University.

Sideling Hill
This multi-media work featuring original photography and custom welding was created by students at Southern Fulton High School and Fulton Area Vocational Technical School, with teaching artist Dorie Heyer and teachers Carolyn Mottern and Bruce Shipley; administered by PCA Arts in Education Partner, Cultural Alliance of York

Students from Southern Fulton High School, Fulton Area Vocational Technical School, teachers Carolyn Mottern and Bruce Shipley, and teaching artist Dorie Heyer stand with their completed artwork at the Sideling Hill Service Plaza (Photo credit: Cassidy Pittman, Fulton County News)

Hickory Run Service Plaza
This installation features wet felted leaves, flowers and vines, with laser cut wood decorations incorporated throughout. The piece was created by students from Panther Valley Junior/Senior High School, with teaching artist Mallory Zondag and art teacher Kim Burkett; administered by PCA Arts in Education Partner Allentown Art Museum.

Peter J. Camiel Service Plaza

This multi-panel, glazed ceramic mosaic was created by students from Twin Valley High School in Chester County, with teaching artist Jessica Liddell and art teacher Heather McCord; administered by PCA Arts in Education Partner, Philadelphia Arts in Education Partnership.

Detail from glazed ceramic mosaic series installed at the Peter J. Camiel Turnpike Service Plaza in Chester County. The mosaic series depicts natural and historical sites of the region.

North Midway
This large ceramic mosaic depicts history and landmarks of Bedford and was created by students at Everett Area High School, under the direction of teaching artist Bob Zabrosky and art teacher Rebecca Grassi. PCA Arts in Education Partner, the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Loretto, facilitated the project.

The completed mosaic artwork by Everett Area High School students, for the North Midway Turnpike service plaza.

South Midway
Created by art students at Chestnut Ridge High School, under the direction of teaching artist Robert Zabrosky, and high school art teacher Madelyn Kelley. The artwork is a glazed ceramic depiction of Bedford County landmarks with QR codes linking to custom videoes about the sites. This project was facilitated through PCA's Arts in Education Partner in the region, the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art.

The completed artwork by Chestnut Ridge High School students, for the South Midway Turnpike service plaza.

Valley Forge
Created by art students at Archbishop John Carroll High School, under the direction of teaching artist, Jessica Gorlin Liddell, and high school art teachers, Loraine Carpenter and Tim Magenta. The artwork is composed of an intricate mosaic tilework depicting the history and evolution of Valley Forge Park. PCA's Arts in Education Partner, the Philadelphia Arts Education Partnership, facilitated this project.

The completed Valley Forge park mosaic, created by Archbishop John Carroll High School art students, for the Valley Forge Turnpike service plaza.