August Wilson Mural Dedicated In The Hill District
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- This has been a banner week for supporters of August Wilson.
The financial revival of the August Wilson Center in Downtown Pittsburgh was capped Thursday morning by the signing of a mural in his honor.
An eye-catching image of the late playwright, best known for 10 highly acclaimed works based in the Hill District, towers over a colorful collage on a tavern wall on Centre Avenue.
Mural artist Kyle Holbrook grew up in the neighborhood. He supervised 10 young painters on the summer project.
"Each one of the kids did their own rendition of 10 plays, the 10 play series," he said. "So we sat, we talked about it, we went through our curriculum. They each picked their favorite play, and then they did their rendition of them. And they connected them."
Wilson's niece, Kimberly Ellis, says the mural brings back fond memories of the man she called Uncle Freddy.
"Not just the plays, but the life of the Hill," she says. "The scenes of the Hill. I love the house - 1839 Wylie Avenue and the red door."
Roberta Brassell owns Black Beauty's Lounge, on whose wall the mural appears.
"That's my picture right there," she says. "And I'm so honored my building was chosen to host this mural, because I lived one block from August Wilson."
Former city council member Sala Udin is surprised to find his own face on the wall.
"Is that me?" he said. "My mama would be so proud!"
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