Artists hope to expand New Kensington downtown alley art project

Artists hope to get to work on a second block of downtown New Kensington’s Ivy Alley next year.

More than $23,000 in grant funding has been obtained to continue the Art in the Alley project between 10th and Ninth streets, said Michelle Thom, president of the New Ken Downtown Partnership.

“The theme for the next block is ‘community,’ focusing on everything from local businesses to people and food,” said Jamie Smittle, vice president of the New Kensington Arts Center. “We’re currently gathering artists and artwork for the alley, which is being submitted for city approval.”

Dave Howard, owner of Uncle Dave’s Art Studio in Allegheny Township, will lead the effort on the block while Smittle, who became a mother in November, will be consulting and contributing her own art.

At least a dozen artists are onboard, Howard said. Pending approval from the city and property owners, he said they hope to start by June.

Howard is planning a “New Kensington Starry Night” piece, looking at the city’s skyline from Springdale with a starry night background. There are plans to use recycled materials in mosaics, to feature the city’s ZIP code of 15068 and create a “cartoony” map of the city highlighting its local small businesses.

“Hopefully, we’ll have approval by the time the weather breaks,” Howard said.

The alley runs between Fourth and Fifth avenues. Since New Kensington approved the project for the first part of the alley, from a parking lot to 10th Street, two years ago, nearly two dozen art pieces including murals, sculptures and “hidden objects” have been placed on display.

Supporting its continuation is a $22,794 grant to the New Ken Downtown Partnership from the Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, Thom said.

“We plan to install lights and cameras in the alley as soon as the weather permits, as well as start any necessary cleanup,” she said.

A $500 grant from Westmoreland County Parks and Recreation will be used to make a sign that will be placed on the Head Start building on Fifth Avenue to direct people to the start of the alley, Thom said.

Anyone interested in getting involved in the project in any way can contact Howard at 412-398-0387.