New mural in Selinsgrove brings community together

Selinsgrove, Pa. — Selinsgrove got a bit more colorful this weekend thanks to a new mural on 8th Street.

On Saturday, August 10, 2024, artists Andrea McDonough and Lynn Estomin, Selinsgrove community members and Williamsport Area High School students installed the CommUNITY mural at the Regional Engagement Center (REC), Selinsgrove.

The goal of the mural project is to bring together members of the community through the creation, painting, and installation of the mural. "Participatory public art creates the opportunity to build a more just, united and equitable community and world," said Estonion in a press release.

Sections of the mural were painted by the local community on polytab material, which has a light image of the design printed on the panels, and is then installed on an exterior wall of a centrally located building. The process gives the community a sense of ownership of the mural and brings diverse groups together to meet new people and create a collaborative work of art.

The REC community center mural is McDonough’s and Estomin’s third mural project with the First Community Foundation Partnership (FCFP) of Pennsylvania. The first mural is located on Firetree Place in Williamsport and the second mural is located in downtown Milton.

The Selinsgrove mural was designed by Milton mural artist Sara Bordner and was painted by a varied group of community members and organizations.

REC President Kelly Feiler, REC Assistant Director Shellie McCurdy, and local Project Co-ordinator Faye Carlson worked with McDonough and Estomin to recruit participating groups, which included the REC, Selinsgrove Area High School NAHS and recent art alums, Williamsport Area High School students, Thrive International, NAACP, Snyder County members of Tri-County AmeriCorps, and CORE Susquehanna.

Work on the project began in early March 2024. Community members and organizations came to the REC for painting sessions in April. Selinsgrove Area High School National Arts Honor Society art students did the final touch-up work on the mural panels and offered live mural painting demonstrations on April 25th at their a school-wide art show.

A formal dedication for the mural is planned for September 2024.