Art Sparks is a vibrant initiative that brings creativity and inspiration to every service plaza along the PA Turnpike. It was designed to not only celebrate local high school art students and teachers, but also to enrich your travel experience. Whether you're stopping for a quick break or a longer rest, let these stunning displays brighten your journey.
Discover how the Art Sparks program has inspired creativity and made a lasting impact in our communities. Watch our short video showcasing the Art Sparks program through the years.
The first Art Sparks project was created by Lower Dauphin High School students and was installed at the Lawn Service Plaza. They were under the direction of teaching artist Meg Caruso and high school art teacher Dana Attivo. The theme the students chose was “Vivid Rejuvenation,” inspired by the region they live in, including urban vibrancy and rural fields. Their art pieces captured the diversity, balance and eclectic inspiration this area offers.
The students at Riverview Junior/Senior High School created a ceramic mosaic mural called “A Wonderful Day in the Neighborhood”.Under the directions of teaching artist Laura Jean McLaughlin and high school art teacher Glenn Garrison, this colorful mural depicts iconic people; landmarks; geography; sports and recreation; industry; and architecture that represent the Pittsburgh area. The Oakmont Service Plaza Art Sparks project was made possible, in part through the PCA’s regional Arts in Education Partner, Pittsburgh Filmmakers/Pittsburgh Center for the Arts.
Radnor High School art students along with teaching artist Bailey Cypress and high school art teachers Tracey Dean and Erik Barrett created “The Gateway to the Main Line” wall murals telling the historical landmarks of this area based on community, historic and aesthetic merit. A series of 17 individual mosaics represent the communities of the Main Line accessed by the PA Turnpike. The King of Prussia Service Plaza Art Sparks project was made possible, in part through the PCA’s regional Arts in Education Partner, Philadelphia Arts in Education Partnership.
Students at Somerset Area High School, under the direction of teaching artist Martha Murphy and high school art teacher Kayla Borosky created art murals called “Creative Colors of the Laurel Highlands,” inspired by views of the magnificent mountainous region, illustrating the full range of seasons and activities in the Laurel Highlands. The South Somerset Service Plaza Art Sparks project was made possible, in part through the PCA’s regional Arts in Education Partner, Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art.
Art students at Big Spring Middle School were under the direction of teaching artist Denise Hoke and middle school art teacher Laura Shambaugh when they created quilt murals - typically adorning local barns in this area. These murals integrated local history, math and quilting to create unique designs representing Cumberland Valley in rural South Central PA. Unique shapes and colors symbolize the local landscape, waterways and agriculture, as well as the community's favorite pastimes and ardent patriotism. The Cumberland Valley Service Plaza Art Sparks project was made possible, in part through the PCA's regional Arts in Education Partner, Capital Area Intermediate Unit.
The art students at Hempfield Area High School along with teaching artist Susan Novak and high school art teacher Emily Daignault created silk art installation. Using silk painting techniques, “PA COMMONwealth THREADS” depicts local scenery and landmarks from the region, and connects us by reminding visitors and locals to take pride in all the beauty and culture of this area. Designs include a white-tailed deer, memorable landmarks, western PA landscape paintings, and golf legend Arnold Palmer. The New Stanton Service Plaza Art Sparks project was made possible, in part through the PCA’s regional Arts in Education Partner, Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art.
Southern Fulton High School art students and Fulton County AVTS welding students worked with teaching artist Dorie Heyer and high school art teachers Carolyn Mottern and Bruce Shipley to create “Our Life. Our Story.”, a sculptural photographic collage representing the communities of Fulton County accessed by the PA Turnpike. The welding students worked together with the art students to conceptualize, design and fabricate the Keystone framework for the photographs to be assembled in. The Sideling Hill Service Plaza Art Sparks project was made possible, in part through the PCA’s regional Arts in Education Partner, York County Cultural Alliance.
Panther Valley Junior/Senior High School art students worked together to create the “Wool Gardens” mural under the direction of teaching artist Mallory Zondag and art teacher Kim Burkett. The mural showcases many well-known points of interests in and around the Jim Thorpe area. Students arranged the gardens to reflect the changing seasons and the beauty of this mountainous region of PA. The students illustrated what Jim Thorpe means to them by adorning the mural with ornaments representing camping, opossums and train tracks. The Hickory Run Service Plaza Art Sparks project was made possible, in part through the PCA's regional Arts in Education Partner, Allentown Art Museum.
Inspired by the rich history of their community, 250 students from Archbishop John Carroll High School conceptualized and created this ceramic installation entitled “Valley Forge Park – Past & Present.” The three panels depict past, present and future of the region as researched and envisioned by these students. Also present are motifs that show the passing of the seasons and the natural beauty of the Valley Forge area as well as symbols to represent the significance of the area. Students were led by local Pennsylvania Council on the Arts teaching artist, Jessica Liddell, and Archbishop John Carroll High School art educators Loraine Carpenter, Fine Arts Department Chair, and Tim Magenta, Ceramic Teacher. The Valley Forge Service Plaza Art Sparks project was made possible, in part through the PCA’s regional Arts in Education Partner, Philadelphia Arts in Education Partnership
Students from Twin Valley High School’s Ceramics Department designed and created this series of ceramic mosaics entitled “Pieces of Pennsylvania.” The five panels highlight places of natural and historic significance. The sites depicted are: Hopewell Furnace National Park, French Creek State Park, Daniel Boone Homestead and Crow’s Nest Preserve. Students were led by local Pennsylvania Council on the Arts teaching artist, Jessica Liddell, and Twin Valley High School Ceramics Teacher, Heather McCord. The Peter J. Camiel Service Plaza Art Sparks project was made possible, in part through the PCA’s regional Arts in Education Partner, Philadelphia Arts in Education Partnership.
This large-scale, clay mural entitled, “A Glimpse of Small Town America” is the result of the hard work and artistic talents of three classes from Everett High School. The mural features 3D renderings of some of the landmarks that compose the great history of Everett, Bedford County and the PA Turnpike. Collaborating with members of their community, students got their hands dirty as they learned some new clay-working techniques and mastered the tools of the trade to create this beautiful, vibrant mural. Students were led by local Pennsylvania Council on the Arts teaching artist, Bob Zabrosky, the Everett High School art teacher, Rebecca Grassi and her teacher assistant, Misty Williams. The North Midway Service Plaza Art Sparks project was made possible, in part through the PCA’s regional Arts in Education Partner, Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art.
Ridge Partnership is a 4’ x 8’ ceramic mural created by students from the Chestnut Ridge High School Art Department and Art Club, under the guidance of ceramic artist Bob Zabrosky and Chestnut Ridge Art teacher Madelyn Kelley. The mural consists of 32 individual tiles that contain an assortment of important landmarks and sites that they felt would best represent the history of Bedford County. The historic landmarks are centered around a map that features the main highways that connect the county. Students teamed up to do research on each landmark to help bring them to life in clay. The South Midway Service Plaza Art Sparks project was made possible, in part through the PCA’s regional Arts in Education Partner, Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art.
This mural entitled "Valley Wide" was made as a collaboration between muralist Matt Halm and over 40 students from Emmaus High School, in Emmaus, PA and Building 21 High School. Over a two-month residency, students were introduced to and engaged in all aspects of mural-making including concept creation, visual research, image transferal, drawing, and painting. The mural was painted on flexible cloth panels which were permanently installed in this space. This beautiful and vibrant piece highlights the many landmarks, natural wonders, and culinary delights of the Lehigh Valley through student illustrations and vignettes. Also vital to the process were Katie Pfenninger (Emmaus Art Educator), Heather Snyder (21st Century Project Coordinator), and Building 21 Educators Melissa Routson, Jim Novak, and George Nonnemacher. The Allentown Service Plaza Art Sparks project was made possible, in part through the PCA’s regional Arts in Education Partner, ArtsQuest.
Inspired by their local culture and heritage, students in grades 9-12 from Shanksville-Stonycreek School District worked with teaching artist, Deb Bunnell, to create the murals for “Somerset County: Who We Are and Things To Do.” The murals showcase the characteristics that make Somerset County what it is and how residents and visitors have fun all year round. You may recognize some portrayals, such as the depiction of the Quecreek Mine Rescue, the 9/11 Cross featuring steel from the World Trade Center near where Flight 93 went down on September 11, 2001, and skiing at Seven Springs Mountain Resort. Others are more well known to locals, such as the Barronvale Covered Bridge, hiking Beam's Rock, and the Somerset Fire and Ice Festival. The North Somerset Service Plaza Art Sparks project was made possible, in part through the PCA's regional Arts in Education Partner, Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art.
"Out and About Here" is a glass mosaic mural created by Steelton-Highspire High School art students, led by local mosaicist, Linda Billet, and their dedicated art teacher, Sharon Keeney. The mosaic is presented in three 3'x5' panels, each depicting a different local destination near the Highspire Service Plaza. Students started by creating personal glass tiles that reflect themselves as individuals. The individualized tiles are incorporated into the glass mosaics, bringing them to life with the thoughts and ideas of the students who created them. Each tile's uniqueness to the mosaic represents the originality and value each student adds to this community. The Highspire Service Plaza Art Sparks project was made possible, in part through the PCA's regional Arts in Education Partner, Capital Area Intermediate Unit.
Scenes of Our Neighborhood” is a collaboration of several themes and symbols from the southeastern Pennsylvania region. Inspired by PA Dutch quilts, the background holds a geometrical form and uses a color palette derived from the businesses’ branding from inside the plaza. Surging waves of lilac flow into this pattern to balance both structure and fluidity. Led by teaching artist Michael Miller from Berks Community Murals, Art Teachers, Caleb Smith and Sandra McCarthy, and Student Assistant Liahna Fox, students from Cocalico High School worked to create mark-making sketches which were transformed into screens and printed onto the background of the mural. As the viewer approaches the work, they’re able to see in intricate detail the many attractions and homestyle activities that make this region of the state so extraordinary.
"Between the Mountains" was created by Shippensburg Area High School art students and is a heartfelt representation of the community they call home. Guided by teaching artist Katie Trainer and art teacher, Aric Sites, students took the lead in designing and painting a mural that celebrates the town’s rich history and culture on 12 panels. The mural captures a dynamic blend of Shippensburg’s most iconic landmarks such as the mid-point on the Appalachian Trail, scenic rural landscapes, local animals, alongside scenes highlighting everyday life. Students also depicted cherished events, such as the Shippensburg Fair and the Corn Festival, that bring residents together every year to celebrate their town’s social, cultural, and economic life. Native pollinator scenes blossom into communities representing growth and diversity.
