Butler Downtown

Butler, PA – September 22, 2011 – Art is alive and growing in downtown Butler. Butler Downtown continues the current public-art movement with another mural. The mural, commissioned by Butler Downtown and the City of Butler, replaces one side of the Butler City Farmer’s Market located at 205 S. Chestnut St. It was created and painted by Slippery Rock University art instructor, Ian Thomas, Butler Downtown board member and owner of Titus Networking, Eileen Stroup and Fox Chapel School District elementary art teacher, Katherine McLaughlin. All three artists volunteered their time to complete the artwork.

City of Butler Farmer’s Market Mural, Chestnut Street (2011)

The Farmer’s Market mural is a continuation of efforts to revitalize the downtown area of Butler.

Since 2008, murals have been springing up around the city. The first was completed by Rabecca Signoriello, an artist from New Castle, PA and alumna of Edinboro University. It is the ‘My Buddy’s’ mural on the Pillow Street building owned by Elizabeth Graham. The mural, commissioned by Graham, depicts community-focused scenes and individuals such as baseball players, local bridges, steelworkers and Pullman Ballpark.

“My Buddy’s” Mural, Pillow Street (2008)

The following year saw the completion of the Butler County Ford mural at 400 S. Main St. Amy Chow and Kristy Nyland, Butler Downtown interns, painted this mural along with members of the community. Funding for the mural was obtained through a state grant received by Butler Downtown. Titled, “Dreaming About Inventions,” the mural portrays the past and current history of Butler’s automobile and transportation industries.

“Dreaming About Inventions” Mural, Butler County Ford Annex Building (2009)

Last year, a mural commissioned by the Butler AM Rotary Club, bloomed on the side of a building at 134-140 W. Jefferson St. Signoriello was brought back to paint this mural that displays a historic Butler storefront scene.

Butler AM Rotary Club Mural, West Jefferson Street (2010)

“It is wonderful to see publicly and privately commissioned murals continue to emerge around the city,” Eileen Stroup, Butler Downtown board member, said. “Our Design Committee is working to create a public art group to add sculptures, more murals and other forms of public art to the downtown area.”

Butler Downtown is a non-profit organization whose mission is to advance the sense of place, quality of life and economic vitality of our downtown business district and traditional neighborhoods through the Main Street Program four-point approach: design, organization, promotion, and economic restructuring. Learn more about how to support Butler’s revitalization efforts at ButlerDowntown.org.