Artist creating huge street mural in Downtown Pittsburgh

When Jayla Patton was 13 years old, her family’s cable television service got cut off.

“The bills were expensive,” said Patton. “My father told me to forget about watching TV and to draw instead. It gave me something to do.”

These days, it’s not just a way to pass the time. It’s who she is.

Patton is an artist. She created a 3,500 square-foot asphalt mural on Penn Avenue between 9th and 10th streets in downtown Pittsburgh.

The mural, titled “Colorful Growth/Soft Waves,” should be finished by Friday and will remain there until Nov. 2.

Her piece is one of several temporary public art works commissioned by the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership as part of its REFORGE Downtown initiative.

“I really like blending colors,” said Patton, who lives in Swissvale. “I like to tell a story with my art. This represents people coming together and growing together. It’s about humanity at large. I leave the interpretation up to the viewer. It’s up to them.”

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This is what I've been working on. I have so many people to thank, From my amazing crew @higoons @bruhthaguru93 @naomibdaygirl @ironic_lynx To my awesome advisors @sweet_thunda @dskinsel @reneepiechocki To the organization that chose me based on my previous art and interview process @downtownpitt To the wonderful people who stop by and chat, wish me well, and compliments the color being brought to downtown Pittsburgh thank you all. It has been surreal seeing the balcony photos that Miss JoAnne has been sending me (another thanks!!) It's been surreal working so diligently and seeing payoff day after day (or disappointment when you come back and the barriers and cones are removed and someone drove over your hard work!!) I'll write up something official official later on, but I've been mulling over my feelings on this piece and how my art is expected to be overtly political (when some ppl ask what this means, wondering if it says blm from above) Vs when someone asks about the inspiration behind the art and I tell them my feelings on this piece being a story told with colors. (I'll talk about this later promise!) Creating art as a black woman, getting up every day when the systems are set up for your death and downfall is radical and defiance in its self. #streetart #mural #pittsburghmural #traditionalart #muralart

A post shared by JP (@jpatton_pending) on Aug 19, 2020 at 6:33am PDT

That day her father told her to draw instead of watch TV, she bought a “How to Draw Manga” book to gain knowledge of Japanese comics and cartoons.

A friend introduced her to the Pittsburgh Independent Comics Expo and she brought her sketchbook. She showed her work to one of the vendors who said, “We will see you here next year.”

For this project, she attended a graffiti workshop.

She credits her parents Joseph Patton Sr. and Mallory Glenn Patton of Beltzhoover with helping her reach her creative goals.

“My dad got me started in art and mother talks to everyone about my art,” Jayla Patton says. “She will meet a stranger and tell them to follow me on the internet. I get all this energy from her.”

When Patton was awarded $10,000 for the project she enlisted the help of people who have been a part of this journey from teachers to other artists DeVaughn Rodgers, Naomi Chambers and Higu Rose and her boyfriend, Brennan Komlenic, a paint expert. They used latex house paint.

“It feels so good when someone walks by and says something about the art,” Patton said. “I am so proud of my team and we are humbled by all of the love. One woman came by and said, ‘Thank you for bringing color to the downtown Pittsburgh.’”

Courtesy of Renee Rosensteel

The mural being painted by Swissvale artist Jayla Patton (right) will remain in place until Nov. 2.

That’s the goal according to the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, which hopes this will bring people back to the city.

A panel of artists, downtown residents and stakeholders reviewed artists’ portfolios. Patton’s work and enthusiasm for the project stood out.

Patton is a graduate of the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, where she studied media arts and animation. Her work includes that as an illustrator, comic artist, animator and educator. She’s worked as an instructor at Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild, Pittsburgh Center for the Arts — now Pittsburgh Center for Arts and Media, the Tech Shop, Prototype PGH, Assemble and I Made It! Market.

Public art creates highly memorable experiences for our community and Jayla understood that really well, said Jeremy Waldrup, president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership in a statement.

“For several decades, we’ve recognized the impact that artistic expression can have on Downtown and, at this time especially, that these initiatives play a vital role in giving platforms to artists who are creating their first large-scale public artworks, encouraging dialogue in our community, and providing a safe way for people to get out of their homes and experience something unique Downtown,” Waldrup said.

Giving Black artists an opportunity to inspire and motivate during this pandemic is incredibly important, said Marisa Williams, head of community outreach and impact for the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh. Williams is a member of the of the artist selection committee.

“Large art installations like this bring a life and creativity to Downtown and can be so transformative in sharing messages of hope and racial justice to a community facing adversity,” she said.