Flyboy Mural
By Hebru Brantley
Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania

Located at the corner of Wallace Avenue and Pitt Street in Wilkinsburg, this large-scale Flyboy mural by Hebru Brantley stands as a vivid marker of imagination, visibility, and community pride just minutes outside of Pittsburgh. Created following Brantley’s acclaimed exhibition I Wish I Knew (How It Felt To Be Free) at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center, the mural extends the spirit of that exhibition into the public realm.

Brantley’s Flyboy character—an emblem of adventure, resilience, and youthful possibility—depicts a Black child soaring safely through the city, inviting viewers to consider the power of imagination as both refuge and resistance. Rooted in Brantley’s broader practice, which includes international exhibitions, major brand collaborations, and public works across the United States and abroad, the Wilkinsburg mural reflects his ongoing commitment to uplifting narratives of Black childhood and creative freedom.

Realized through a collaboration between the August Wilson African American Cultural Center, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and the Wilkinsburg Arts Commission, the mural celebrates African American artistic excellence while contributing to neighborhood enrichment. As a permanent public artwork, it offers a moment of connection, inspiration, and affirmation—reminding passersby, especially young people, that their stories, dreams, and flights of imagination belong in the city’s landscape.

Collections in Black Mural
By Juliandra Jones, Shane Pilster, Brian Gonnella, Jerome “Chu” Charles, and Dejour Jones
Swissvale, Pennsylvania

Installed as a public-facing companion to Collections in Black: A Celebration of Black Comic Book Culture, this exterior mural by Phillip Thompson extends the energy of the exhibition beyond the gallery walls and into the surrounding neighborhood. Known for his dynamic compositions and deep ties to comic book culture, Thompson brings together bold color, iconic figures, and visual storytelling to honor the legacy and influence of Black creators and collectors within the comic arts.

The mural reflects the exhibition’s core themes—representation, preservation, and joy—celebrating Black imagination as both cultural history and living practice. Positioned at street level, the work invites passersby into the world of Collections in Black, reinforcing the August Wilson African American Cultural Center’s commitment to making Black art visible, accessible, and rooted in community.

Presented by the August Wilson African American Cultural Center.
Photos by Ricco J.L. Martello