WCU Student's mural painting now on display in West Chester's Borough
A West Chester University student is painting the town red. Literally.
Noah Burns, a sophomore Art + Design student, is painting a mural on the side of the Friends Association building at 113 Chestnut Street in West Chester’s borough. His design was chosen to help commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the organization, a non-profit that provides services for Chester County individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
The Friends Association began working with the West Chester Public Arts Commission (WC PAC) in 2021 to develop a concept and put out a call for artists.
“We wanted to create a permanent artistic representation of our values and ideals to commemorate this milestone anniversary,” says Emily McClure, former Chief Advancement Officer for the Friends Association.
Overwhelmingly, the WC PAC and Friends staff chose Burns’s design concept from among dozens of other applicants. After several rounds of edits, the final concept was presented to the WC PAC and the Historical & Architectural Review Board (HARB) for approval.
“Throughout the process, there was overwhelming praise for Noah’s design and enthusiasm for public arts projects in our community,” says McClure.
Along the way, Burns was mentored and assisted by John H. Baker, retired WCU professor and stalwart of the local fine arts community.
“I’m excited to have my work showcased in a such a public place,” says Burns. “This is a big opportunity for me. This is my first mural painting and its more complex than I thought it would be. I am thankful for all of the support I have received from friends, family, and teachers.”
“We are so grateful for the support from West Chester University and think that this is a great collaboration for all,” concludes McClure.