Students from Twin Valley High School have left their creative mark on the Pennsylvania Turnpike through the Art Sparks program, an initiative by the PA Turnpike and Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA). Their work, “Pieces of Pennsylvania,” now adorns the Peter J. Camiel Service Plaza, completed in May 2023.
The installation consists of five ceramic mosaic panels that highlight significant natural and historical sites in the region: Hopewell Furnace National Park, French Creek State Park, Daniel Boone Homestead, and Crow’s Nest Preserve. Under the guidance of PCA teaching artist Jessica Liddell and Twin Valley Ceramics Teacher Heather McCord, students designed and created the vibrant pieces during a 20-day teaching residency.
“The work done by students from across the Commonwealth, from schools big and small, has been nothing short of impressive,” said Mark Compton, CEO of the PA Turnpike. “Art Sparks has provided these young artists the opportunity to showcase what makes their local communities special to those who may otherwise only be passing through.”
The Art Sparks program pairs K-12 students with teaching artists to create site-specific artwork for each of the Turnpike’s 17 service plazas. The initiative promotes teamwork, conceptual thinking, and creative skills, while offering students the chance to represent their communities in a meaningful way.
Susan S. Cohen, Chair of the PA Council on the Arts, emphasized the broader impact of the project, saying, “The arts possess an immeasurable ability to positively impact our lives. We hope this collaboration will continue to inspire not only those who were a part of it but the thousands who will view their work for years to come.”
The Twin Valley project was made possible, in part, through the PCA’s regional Arts in Education Partner, Philadelphia Arts in Education Partnership. Travelers stopping at the Peter J. Camiel Service Plaza can now enjoy the students’ artistic representation of Pennsylvania’s rich heritage, connecting the Turnpike with the local community.