Saturday, May 23, 2020
HCUAP artist Orion, from León, Guanajuato, works on his Steelworker mural. Carrie Furnaces, April 2017.
Exploring Rivers of Steel's Graffiti Arts Program

Rivers of Steel’s Graffiti Arts program draws inspiration from the underground culture of local graffiti writers, urban explorers, and guerrilla artists who animated the Carrie Blast Furnaces—and similar post-industrial sites—following the collapse of the steel industry in the 1980s. With a reverence for the region’s industrial roots and a strong sense of local identity, these street artists recognized unique opportunities for creative self-expression and cultural production amidst the changing landscapes.

This week we are taking a deeper look at the role of this program—how it evolved, the stories it tells, and even its role in the preservation of the Carrie Blast Furnaces site.

We are privileged to share this article by guest author Dr. Caitlin Bruce, co-founder of Hemispheric Conversations Urban Art Project. She examines Rivers of Steel's Graffiti Arts program in the broader contexts of historic preservation, post-industrialism, and modern graffiti culture.

And as part of our ongoing series featuring local artists, we dive a little bit deeper on this topic, showcasing our graffiti arts & community outreach coordinator, Shane Pilster, along with the amazing Rachel Sager, whose mosaic Ruins Project exemplifies the intersection of post-industrialism and creative expression.

Looking to try your own hand at some creative expression? Or perhaps just looking for a creative outlet for the kids? Take a look at these tutorial videos that outline the basics of graffiti lettering and how to craft your own alphabetic font.
FEATURE STORY
Understanding Historic Preservation in a Dynamic Frame: The Graffiti Arts Program at the Carrie Blast Furnaces
Author and University of Pittsburgh assistant professor, Dr. Caitlin Bruce provides an informative look at the role of our Graffiti Arts programs from an academic point of view—not only connecting it to broader themes such as post-industrial expression, but sharing details about our partnership with the Hemispheric Conversations Urban Art Project (pronounced "hiccup"), an organization she founded with our own Shane Pilster.
VIDEO SPOTLIGHT
Graffiti Lettering Tutorials
These are the first two videos of an ongoing series that explores elements of graffiti and style-writing. Adapted from the same techniques Shane Pilster uses in his role as a teaching artist for Rivers of Steel's Graffiti and Style-writing school residencies , these tutorials provide creative expression (or simply stress relief) for kids and adults alike.
MON VALLEY ARTISTS PROFILES
Creative Professionals in the Mon Valley
As we continue our Mon Valley Featured Artist Series, this week we are highlighting Shane Pilster and Rachel Sager. Although their mediums are quite different, both of these artists' work has been guided by the forces of post-industrialism, while their collaborative processes have built inspired, like-minded communities that stretch across the globe.