A family gathers around a mosaic portrait of their ancestor at The Ruins Project, a long-term collaborative mosaic art installation amidst the ruins of a former coal mine in Perryopolis, Fayette County, Pennsylvania. |
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Digging into the Past
For Rachel Sager, "Honor What Was" is a ground rule for anyone adding a contribution to The Ruins Project, a collaborative mosaic artwork installation that adorns the remains of Banning #2, a former coal mine on her property, located near mile marker #104 on the Great Allegheny Passage—a space that also houses her Sager Mosaics Studio.
Rachel's project speaks to us. It combines industrial heritage with creative placemaking. In the pursuit of both, it supports economic development and outdoor recreation through tourism. It's a model not unfamiliar to us . . . that's why we've asked Rachel to share her perspectives with you. We're excited to publish her first of three submissions, Honor What Was, which gives an overview of her vision for The Ruins Project and the philosophy supporting it.
Honoring the past and understanding it go hand in hand. For our latest segment that explores the life and times of Carrie Clark, namesake to the Carrie Furnaces, Dr. Kirsten Paine digs in on the wedding of Carrie Clark to Bartlett Arkell in the context of a newly wealthy family in the Gilded Age.
People in Industry—The Art of Jeannie McGuire is a new exhibition of works that will open at the Pump House on Saturday, May 6 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Using source material from the Rivers of Steel Archives, watercolor artist Jeannie McGuire is honoring what was through her figurative paintings, comprised of images of the steel industry, ironworkers, machinists, and miners. Sign up for the opening reception.
If raising a glass to the past is more your thing, take advantage of a special discount code to the Beers of the Burgh Festival, which contributes a portion of its proceeds to Rivers of Steel in support of the historic preservation work at the Carrie Blast Furnaces. See below.
And of course, you can explore more with Rivers of Steel Tours! The regular tour season at the Carrie Blast Furnaces kicks off on May 5 and on the Explorer riverboat on May 6.
Thanks for reading—we hope to see you at an exhibition, festival, workshop, or tour in the coming weeks!
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The Carrie Furnaces, in miniature. A 2” x 5” micro-mosaic by Sager Mosaics installed at exactly the right spot of the Monongahela River on The Map Wall at The Ruins Project.
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FEATURED STORY
Honor What Was
By Rachel Sager
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This week we are excited to honor what was—and what is—by shining a light on The Ruins Project, a long-term collaborative mosaic art installation amidst the ruins of a former coal mine in Fayette County, Pennsylvania. The brainchild of Rachel Sager, who operates the Sager Mosaics Studio, which is located near mile marker 104 on the Great Allegheny Passage, The Ruins Project represents the rebirth of abandoned American coal country into a spiritual and artistic pilgrimage and destination for adventure seekers and lovers of art and history. |
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Parisian fashions in Peterson’s Magazine, October 1885, show what women of means may have been wearing at the time of the Clark-Arkell wedding. From the Library of Congress.
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CARRIE CLARK SERIES
The Marriage of Carrie Clark and Bartlett Arkell
By Dr. Kirsten Paine
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This story is the third in a series of articles about Carrie Clark Arkell, the woman who was the namesake of the Carrie Blast Furnaces. In this piece, Dr. Kirsten Paine examines the wedding of the young Miss Clark and gives context to what may have been expected from her as a young bride from a family with new wealth. |
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A detail of Jeannie McGuire's Investigation, one of the artworks included in her exhibition of new works at the Pump House.
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EXHIBITION OPENING
People in Industry—The Art of Jeannie McGuire
Saturday, May 6, 2023, 2:00 – 5:00 p.m., The Pump House in Munhall
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As an artist, Jeannie McGuire desires to bring situations close to the viewer for a personal connection—to portray the sound in a crowded bar, the suspense of an investigation, energy, movement, and a sense of a time and place. Using watercolor pigments and graphite on paper, this exhibition depicts people in the context of southwestern Pennsylvania industry. |
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Beers of the Burgh at the Carrie Blast Furnaces in June, 2022. |
PARTNER EVENT
Beers of the Burgh
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Celebrate your love for all beers local with over 50 of the area’s best breweries at the 9th Annual Beers of the Burgh Festival at the historic Carrie Blast Furnaces. Experience an unprecedented variety of ales, ciders and more, all unique to the Three Rivers regional area. Plus, check out some of Pittsburgh's best food trucks, dance to live music and much more.
A portion of the proceeds will benefit Rivers of Steel and our work to promote resource conservation and development, heritage tourism, cultural and educational programs, and economic revitalization in southwestern Pennsylvania.
Use code RIVERSOFBEER to save $5 on your ticket purchase; valid through April 30, 2023.
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FEATURED PROGRAM
Bladesmithing 1
May 8 – 10, 2023, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m., Carrie Blast Furnaces
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Spend some real time with the forge! Focused on forging techniques, this three-day workshop features the instruction and extended shop time needed to produce a sharp-edged tool made from high-carbon steel. Learn the fundamental skills required to forge a blacksmithing knife with scroll handle from a single piece of steel. After three sessions, you'll leave with your very own hand-forged knife!
These sessions are led by Rivers of Steel staff artist and bladesmith Jared Ondovchik (aka Artifact Metalworks).
INTRODUCTORY OFFER: Use code NEWBLADE at checkout to save $25.00 on this brand new workshop. Offer valid through May 8, 2023.
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METAL ARTS WORKSHOP
The Doodle Bowl Experience
Sunday, April 23, 2023 5:30 – 8:30 p.m., Carrie Blast Furnaces
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Not your typical “sip and paint” party, this workshop has quickly become one of Rivers of Steel’s most in-demand programs. With guidance from Rivers of Steel’s metal arts team, you’ll design and carve a bowl that is cast in solid aluminum!
Take home your new, functional work of art at the end of the night! No experience is needed—just bring your creativity, a friend, and your own beverage!
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TOUR + WORKSHOP
Graffiti & Style-Writing Workshop
Sunday, May 7, 1:00 – 3:30 p.m., Carrie Blast Furnaces
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Create your own graffiti-style masterpiece at the Carrie Blast Furnaces!
Join Rivers of Steel master urban artist Shane Pilster on a tour of the international collection of graffiti murals located at the Carrie Blast Furnaces. Learn about the individual works of art and the overall history and culture of graffiti. After your tour, you’ll have a chance to try it for yourself! The hands-on experience will teach you the basics of aerosol painting and style-writing techniques. Then take home your completed paintings at the end of the workshop.
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RIVERS OF STEEL TOURS
Industrial Tours of the Carrie Furnaces + Sightseeing Tours on the Explorer Riverboat
Tours begin on weekends in May!
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Spring is a great time to be outside. Sign up for a May tour with Rivers of Steel.
Industrial Tours of the Carrie Blast Furnaces run Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in May.
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Help preserve our region’s industrial and cultural heritage! Your tax-deductible contribution will help ensure that Rivers of Steel can continue to offer vital, engaging, community-based arts, education, and heritage programs for the residents of southwestern Pennsylvania and beyond.
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