The Westmoreland Diversity Coalition Awarded Heinz Endowments Just Arts Grant
Make Our Differences Our Strengths is a billboard art campaign and traveling exhibition happening in Westmoreland County, featuring artwork from the campaign’s 10 selected artists.
Starting October 2020, there will be billboards appearing alongside major roadways in Westmoreland County, featuring artwork from the campaign’s 10 selected artists.
This project was made possible by a grant award of $150,000 from the Heinz Endowments new Just Arts program, an initiative that supports artists, organizations and communities who harness the power of the arts to respond to social issues affecting the Pittsburgh region and beyond, The Westmoreland Diversity Coalition is one of the inaugural recipients of this grant. The project is managed by Lead Artist Sheila Cuellar-Shaffer.
Along with the billboard placements, The Westmoreland Museum of American Art and the Coalition, in partnership with local universities and organizations, is hosting a series of exhibitions featuring the billboard art at various sites throughout Westmoreland County and will offer related programming that will allow for deeper interaction and reflection on these works. Artists’ Talks for the exhibitions provide the opportunity for the public to meet the artists behind the works appearing on the billboards.
This public art campaign features the work of 10 artists: Edith Abeyta, Dorion Barill, Tina Williams Brewer, Alejandro Fiez, Fran Flaherty, Shane Pilster, Amun Ray, Susanne Slavick, Ginger Brooks Takahashi, and Alisha B. Wormsley.
Visit and view 10 of the billboard locations! To begin your Diversity Billboard Art Project Road Trip, click here to view the driving map and directions.