Clairton celebrated in mayor’s office mural

Artist Kamara Townes brought together several aspects of the city in the artwork.

By VICKIE BABYAK
McKeesport Community Newsroom

A stunning mural by a local artist is finally complete and can be viewed in the office of Clairton Mayor Jim Cerqua.

“People walk by the office, look in and say, ‘Wow,’” Cerqua said.

Artist Kamara Townes and Mayor Jim Cerqua show off Townes’ newly completed mural in Cerqua’s office in Clairton. Photo by Jennifer McCalla / McKeesport Community Newsroom

Kamara Townes, 31, painted the mural using orange and black, the colors of Clairton High School. She meticulously crafted the Clairton Bear mascot, U.S. Steel Mon Valley Clairton Works, the city seal and its zip code, 15025. The zip code is depicted in puffs of smoke rising from the mill’s stacks.

“We have championships all around us but we also have different talents, and this artist is one of the champion talents,” Cerqua said.

Although the mural was completed a few weeks ago, Cerqua said he wanted to coordinate a time when Townes, Clairton High School football coach Wayne Wade and U.S. Steel Clairton plant Superintendent Mark Jeffrey could meet. A few family members and U.S. Steel union members participated in a small gathering inside the mayor’s office Wednesday afternoon.

“It is an official opening of the mural,” Cerqua said.

He hopes the next mayor doesn’t paint over the mural so that future generations will be able to admire Townes’ artistry.

Cerqua is proud of Townes, adding that her talent is amazing and he can’t thank her enough. The mural is important to him because it represents the hundreds of great athletes who have competed for Clairton as well as the city’s long partnership with U.S. Steel. He and his wife paid for the mural.

“We were scared that U.S. Steel might leave Clairton, it was worrisome, but a nice package was put together and now they’re here to stay,” Cerqua said.

Townes said it was important for her grandfather, KT Gissendanner, to see her mural. His family believes he was the longest-working employee before retiring from the mill. He worked for 56 years, one month, 15 days and two and a half hours.

“My grandfather was the inspiration for my mural,” Townes said.

Townes has been interested in art since she was a child. She graduated from California University of Pennsylvania and earned her Master of Fine Art at West Virginia University. She also has her teaching certification. She enjoys different types of painting, but her favorite is mural art.

Townes, who is known professionally as Wavy Wednesday, has exhibited her work in Pittsburgh and New York City.

“A lot of my work revolves around Black girlhood and feminism,” Townes said.

To see more of Townes’ work, follow her on Instagram @wavywednesdayyy.