Communities Become The Canvas
NEPA’s murals prove that art can go beyond the edges of a frame and the four walls of a gallery. These larger-than-life masterpieces turn blank walls and ordinary buildings into creative works of art, right in our own neighborhoods. They brighten up our communities, add a splash of color to our daily commutes and show off our area’s creative side. That’s the beauty of public art—it’s everywhere, and it’s for everyone.
Murals can offer more than cool selfie spots and photo ops. They tell stories about people, places, and history in our communities. Take a walk around the neighborhood and discover our area’s incredible public artwork. We rounded up a few works that will give you a glimpse of our region’s vibrant public art scene.
48 South Main St., Pittston, PA
Pittston’s hometown heroes live in forever in this three-dimensional mural. The community nominated dozens of famous locals to include on the mural. You might spot some familiar faces, like football Hall of Famer Charley Trippi, Paralympic skier Stephanie Jallen and Pittston Tomato Festival founders Bob Conroy and Val D’Elia.
Artists: Michael Pilato & Yuriy Karabash | Completion: 2015
7 North Wyoming St., Hazleton, PA
In 1883, Hazleton became the third city in the world to have two-wire, three-phase streetlights. This mural on the back of Hazle Drugs depicts Thomas Edison’s creative spark arching over the city and transferring to six local children who were chosen to be painted.
Artist: Mary Veronica Sweeney | Completion: 2017
503 Lackawanna Ave., Scraton, PA
Step into the world of Dunder Mifflin right in the heart of downtown Scranton. Authorized by all 17 actors, this piece spans an impressive 86 feet wide by 27 feet tall and beautifully showcases the legendary characters.
Artist: Hagopian Arts | Completion: 2023
840 Main St., Honesdale, PA
This mural captures some of the proudest moments in Honesdale’s history. The focal point is the Stourbridge Lion, and the smaller panels display noteworthy pieces of Honesdale like the Wayne County Fair. The mural also honors famous natives, including professional golfer Art Wall, Jr., and composer Dick Smith, who penned the classic Christmas song “Winter Wonderland.”
Artists: Jeff George & Pauline Glykokokalos| Completion: 2018
John Street Trailhead, Carbondale, PA
This 75-foot-long mural is right along the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail and truly brings history, art and culture together. About 300 community members weighed in on the design featuring a coal miner and a Delaware & Hudson steam engine that was used in Carbondale in the 1870s.
Artists: Ryan Hnat, Eric Bussart, Jimmy Lowe & Zach Yahn | Completion: 2021
34 South Main St., Pittston, PA
The warm, sepia tones and realistic details make this mural seem like a snapshot of Pittston’s industrial past. The mural depicts the hard-working miners and breaker boys of the anthracite coal era, while giving a nod to rows of women at sewing machines and the not-so-distant railroading days.
Artists: Dwight Kirkland & Michael Colley | Completion: 2012
828 Wyoming Ave, Wyoming, PA
As part of Street Art Society of NEPA‘s Phase III Revitalization Project, this mural brings life to Wyoming Ave.. You can find this incredible mural behind Marlene’s Bow Wowz and Meowz!
Artist: Frank Chappell III | Completion: 2024
481 Market Street in Kingston, PA
This conversation between Japanese culture and local natural landmarks depicts a nod to the nearby Susquehanna River the annual cherry blossoms at Kirby Park.
Artist: Grayson Rogers | Completion: 2023
60 East Tioga St., Tunkhannock, PA
The three murals at the Dietrich Theater showcase the heritage of the Endless Mountains. The back of the theater features a massive, two-panel spread of the famous Tunkhannock Viaduct. The newest mural, completed in 2021, portrays a vintage postcard of the Vosburg Neck.
Artist: Bob Lizza | Completion: 2019-2021
517 Main St., Stroudsburg, PA
The side of The Cure Café shows the evolution of music, from an old-school blues guitarist to rock’n’roll legends to electronic artists. You’ll spot a whole spectrum of musical icons like Elvis, David Bowie, Prince and the Notorious B.I.G.
Artist: Patrick Cummings | Completion: 2018
19 North River St., Wilkes-Barre, PA
At six stories tall, the noble Lady of the Valley displays Wilkes-Barre’s history on the back of the Hotel Sterling Annex. The local references range from a pastoral valley scene from the Diamond City’s early days to the coal refineries of the anthracite boom. The mural was a project of the Street Art Society of NEPA.
Artist: Evan Lovett | Completion: 2021
1138 Capouse Ave., Scranton, PA
This tribute to The Office is forever enshrined on the side of On&On, a cool, quirky marketplace that’s full of vintage treasures. Fans can’t help but stop and snap a photo.
Artist: Mike Trovato | Completion: 2020
Erie Blvd., Susquehanna, PA
A mother and daughter team transformed an empty concrete wall into a vibrant display of Susquehanna’s history with the support of the Susquehanna Community Development Association. A twist on Van Gogh’s Starry Night depicts the oldest stone railroad bridge in Pennsylvania that’s still in use today.
Artists: Michelle & Meghan Kiernan | Completion: 2020
420 Mahantongo St., Pottsville, PA
Two murals outside of Yuengling Brewery in Pottsville will give you a glimpse at the history behind America’s oldest brewery. The doors were originally painted by the late Pottsville muralist, Dave Naydock. When weather and time took their toll, artist Mark Sassini re-created the design with a fresh, fun twist.
Artist: Mark Sassani | Completion: 2018
467 Wyoming Ave., Kingston, PA
Local tattoo artist Karilyn Alex created this dark, nature-inspired mural on the side of The Strange & Unusual Oddities Parlor. Moths, rats, skulls and more cover the entire wall. The nighttime theme perfectly matches shop’s spooky, gothic vibe.
Artist: Karilyn Alex | Completion: 2019
Dansbury Park, East Stroudsburg, PA
This mural in Dansbury Park pays homage to the COTA Jazz Fest, an annual celebration of the arts in the Delaware Water Gap. The festival has been a local tradition since 1978. The mural depicts the festival’s founders, Phil Woods, Rick Chamberlain, and Ed Jourbert, along with American bandleader Fred Waring.
Artist: Adia Gibbs | Completion: 2014
Corner of Mulberry St. & Adams Ave., Scranton, PA
This inspiring, 1,200-square-foot mural is part of Scranton Tomorrow’s Mural Arts Program. Both artists are Marywood alumni and collaborated in the past to create another mural, Human After All, at the Leonard Theater in Scranton.
Artists: Eric Bussart & Emmanuel Wisdom | Completion: 2021
252 Wyoming Avenue, Kingston, PA
Featuring the Pennsylvania state animal, the state flower and other native Pennsylvania plants, artist Amandalynn pays tribute to her home state in this giant mural.
Artist: Amandalynn | Completion: 2021
Corner of North Pine St. & East Oak St., Hazleton, PA
Artist Jason Braun and local students from the Communities That Care Youth Outreach Program created this mural to celebrate peace and diversity. This wall bursting with color highlights unity through hard work and the potential of growth when everyone aims for the common good.
Artist: Jason Braun | Completion: 2017
West Patterson St., Lansford, PA
Ryan Hnat, a Coaldale native and founder of the Northeast Art Project in Scranton, turned a plain, ordinary garage into a work of art. It shows a sunset over the historic No. 6 coal breaker, which once stood near the eastern end of town. The mural was commissioned by Lansford Alive.
Artist: Ryan Hnat | Completion: 2019
Article Updated from its Original Version Published on 11/15/2021.
