Walmart mural in Harrison portrays Burtner House, other township highlights

Artist Jenn Hartzler lives nearly three hours from Harrison but her newest mural, displayed at Walmart in the township’s Natrona Heights section, perfectly captures the best parts of the community.

The 18-by-11-foot design depicts the Burtner House, Harrison Hills and people enjoying bike trails and waterfalls.

“I searched a lot of Google Earth images for reference because it takes time to figure out what these places look like,” said Hartzler, an art teacher from Belleville, Mifflin County.

“I am happy with it, and I’m anxious to hear what people think of it.”

The mural is splashed across an inside wall near the grocery entrance at the Walmart off Freeport Road.

Hartzler drew the design on her iPad and then it was uploaded onto vinyl and applied like wallpaper.

“For me, it’s the most time-effective way,” she said. “When you submit the concept, there’s little edits that need to be made. Really, though, it still takes about as much time.”

The colorful artwork is part of the company’s Community Mural Program meant to celebrate the people and places that make up towns where stores are located. Murals are usually included during a store’s renovation, like the one recently completed at the Harrison Walmart. The store’s grand reopening was celebrated July 4.

According to the company website, murals reflect the local diversity and culture of each community. Every piece is unique, created by a rostered artist from public art agency NOW Art.

They are featured in hundreds of Walmart stores across the country.

Store manager Tony Soltis said the mural, in just two weeks, has “received resounding love and appreciation.”

“It’s been a hot topic,” said Soltis, manager for 11 years.

“I couldn’t be happier with how the community is portrayed in that mural.”

It was up to Soltis to recommend the top three features of life in Harrison. He chose the Burtner House, one of the oldest homes in Allegheny County, for its historic value but also because it’s so recognizable. It’s the first thing motorists see when exiting Route 28 into the township.

Built in 1821, the once-working farm along Little Bull Creek is a prime example of early life in the township. It was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.

The mural also features large strawberries in the foreground to represent the annual Burtner House Strawberry Festival.

Soltis said people walking a dog and others riding bikes show the abundance of trails and outdoor recreation. And a waterfall depicts the calm surroundings at Harrison Hills, the 500-acre Allegheny County-owned park, also off Freeport Road.

“I think it sums up the best the town has to offer,” he said.

Hartzler, who earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting from the Rochester Institute of Technology, also has created murals for Walmart stores in Schenectady, N.Y.; Sanford, N.C.; and Poland, Ohio.

She said artists have about a week to research the town and draw the art.

“You have to hustle,” she said. “But it’s nice because you learn about what’s special in these small towns.”