Artwork marking Shadyside's history of gay activism completed

Pittsburgh has completed improvements to a Shadyside intersection that includes artwork commemorating the neighborhood’s history of gay activism.

Leonardo Moleiro, an internationally renowned artist based in Pasadena, Calif., created a mural that combines shapes and colors of the rainbow pride flag to represent harmony, according to the Mayor’s Office. The mural is at the intersection of Ellsworth and Maryland avenues in Shadyside.

The Public Art and Civic Design Division of Pittsburgh’s Planning Department sought proposals from artists to design and create the intersection for a maximum $20,000.

Pittsburgh targeted the intersection for completion in time for a pride parade in Shadyside and the anniversary of New York City’s Stonewall Riots, which touched off the modern LGBT rights movement in the United States. The riots happened which happened in Greenwich village over six days starting on June 27, 1969.

City Councilwoman Erika Strassburger of Squirrel Hill, who represents Shadyside, said the design promotes a connection to the LGBT community.

“This project will help to remind us that we cannot stop until all groups can live in peace and harmony,” Strassburger said in a statement.

The project included pedestrian safety improvements to the intersection.

It represents Pittsburgh’s second “artistic intersection.” The city in 2018 commissioned local artist Guy Ruff to redesign the intersection of Brownsville Road and Parkfield Street in Carrick. Ruff created the image of a colorful swan and triangles in the street symbolic of “love, fidelity, grace, and beauty.”