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 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

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

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

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

Hickory Run Service Plaza

Created by students at 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 - in progress

Midway East - in progress

Midway West - in progress

Valley Forge - in progress

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)

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)

Representatives from the PA Turnpike Commission, PA Arts and Education Partnership, PA Council on the Arts and artist Bailey Cypress (third from right) stand in front of the newly installed murals at the King of Prussia service plaza (June 2018)

Big Spring Middle School students pose with their principal, art teacher Laura Shambaugh, teaching artist Denise Hoke, PA Turnpike CEO Mark Compton, and PA Council on the Arts Executive Director Karl Blischke at the unveiling of eight murals installed at the Cumberland Valley Service Plaza.