Save Maxo Vanka

Susan Abramowich has enjoyed exploring the intersection of art and the social and political histories of their time since studying Art History in college. She believes the Vanka Murals are “not only a perfect expression of this intersection, they continue to be relevant to our very own contemporary issues.” Far afield from her college studies, Susan now works within the juvenile justice system.

Matt Adams works as the Museum Manager at Bushy Run Battlefield in Jeannette, PA. He oversees administrative functions of a small museum and non-profit. He previously worked at the Railroaders Memorial Museum in Altoona, PA where he presented a lecture on the 1877 railroad strike. With a love for history, he writes about immigration and labor in Pennsylvania.

Maura Bainbridge has a background in archaeology, specializing in the memorialization of labor conflicts in the United States. Her research includes the Battle of Homestead. Maura is excited to bring her passion for labor history to the Murals and to engage with visitors about how and why people choose to remember worker’s history.

David Bennett is an academic librarian who discovered the murals in Rick Sebak’s “Holy Pittsburgh” documentary. He began leading hikes with Venture Outdoors that included a stop at the murals, and he couldn’t stop coming back. David sees the murals as a monument to “the mill workers, the miners, the mothers and daughters.”

Mary Ellen Byers is the granddaughter of four immigrants, two of whom were founding parishioners of St. Nicholas Church. Her favorite mural is “A Simple Family Meal” for its portrayal of community, faith, and thankfulness in spite of hardship. Mary Ellen hopes to honor her grandparents by sharing the story of the sacrifices so many immigrants made.

Aaron Ciarkowski first discovered the Murals in a newspaper and was “amazed that these impressive works of art existed relatively unknown in the city.” Aaron’s favorite mural is the Madonna with Child above the altar because it’s the first to catch your eye upon entering the church; in it he sees the greatness of a common mother.

Ben Cook was skeptical the first time he came—he wasn’t sure that such an “unassuming” church could live up to what he’d heard. But he immediately fell in love. “I grew up in the Mon Valley, surrounded by the regional history of immigration and labor and their impacts in the community, within a deep Catholic context,” he says, “There is much in the murals that feels very home-like for me.”

Timothy Grieve-Carlson, a world religions and philosophy professor, first read about Maxo Vanka’s Murals in Louis Adamic’s 1938 essay for Harper’s magazine. When Tim moved to Pittsburgh, he took a tour and was deeply moved by how Vanka wove depictions of immigrants, labor, and Croatian life with the Biblical tradition.

Bridget Hovell is a recent transplant to Pittsburgh working in Carnegie Museums’ membership department. She became a Tour Volunteer because she missed interacting more directly with museum visitors. At the Murals, she looks forward to engaging with guests and learning more about Pittsburgh’s many vibrant communities.

Eoin Koepfinger visited the Murals in 2016 and exclaimed, “nothing compared to being inside…with the full-scale figures above and around me. I was entranced.” He currently works as an early intervention classroom assistant for Pittsburgh Public, but is excited to volunteer at the Murals.

Ray McGogney is a retired schoolteacher who first saw the murals while attending an event and was impressed by the intensity of their social message. Ray volunteers because he enjoys “bringing these murals and their meanings to people who are awed by their scope and beauty.”

Eric Meisberger is a public librarian who lives in the South Hills with his wife and two cats. A 12 year veteran of Catholic school, he is excited “to be a part of the work of the Society, especially regarding how there is an intersection of art, history, labor, social justice, faith, and local 412 pride.”

Diane Novosel attended St. Nicholas grade school and has been a member of the church her whole life. She sees the stories of her grandparents in the murals and loves to connect with others who recognize their family histories in the Murals too. Volunteering is her way “to honor the artist who painted the murals and, more importantly, the people who inspired them.”

Dr Kathleen Roberts settled on the outskirts of Millvale after traveling the world, she considers it the best place her family has ever been. No matter how much time Kathleen spends with the Murals she learns something new, she loves how the Murals are timeless, yet capture a world very specific to the immigrant experience in Pittsburgh. “I am a realist about social struggles and human flaws. I see in the murals the very best of Catholic Social Teaching: solidarity, justice, a preferential option for the poor, and above all: Love.”

Mike Secilia is a born and bred Pittsburgher of Croatian descent. He was drawn to the Vanka Murals as a history instructor with an interest in Pittsburgh’s Croatian American community. Mike is fascinated by the ways in which historical memory is encoded in art, language, literature, and ceremony. He is excited about the potential of preserving culture through public engagement and shared storytelling.

Micky Sedota discovered the murals while she and her grandmother were looking for information about their Croatian heritage. Together they found common ground and mutual appreciation of their differing views. Micky especially appreciates “Mary on the Battlefield” for its depiction of “the endurance of a mother’s love and the invincibility of the human spirit.”

Michael Sibenac recalls growing up and attending the St. Nicholas Church several times for services and being intrigued by the murals on the walls. Years later, he attended a tour of the murals and learned the fascinating story behind their construction. By joining Team Vanka, he explained, “I hope to learn even more about the history behind the murals, and to challenge myself by sharing this story on tours with the curious public.”

Andrew Stefanick grew up attending St. Nicholas church and doesn’t remember a time before he knew the murals. He especially appreciates Vanka’s love of nature. Andrew believes that because the murals contain universal themes and values, “all who visit can find a bit of themselves and their histories, no matter their background.”

Vanessa Vought discovered the murals while attending a funeral. Raised in churches that did not have any religious artwork, she found Vanka Murals both impressive in scope and personal in their concern for the experiences of the parish community. Vanessa enjoys introducing others to these “snapshots of history.”

Kelly Wall remembers first seeing the Murals during an evening mass in Catholic grade school. Although intimidated as a 6-year-old, Vanka’s unforgettable work brought her back. As a history teacher, she especially appreciates how the Murals challenge visitors to reflect on humanity and our role within it.

Tess Wilson loves the things that make the Pittsburgh region unique, and Vanka Murals are certainly one of those things for her! She has a history in library and art studies and proudly helps stewards at the church. As well as a librarian with archives experience, she is also a teaching artist and environmental educator, and has led many field trips and workshops.

Keith Bryner is excited to be joining in on all of the important work of preserving and sharing the extraordinary history of the Maxo Vanka murals! A native of the Mon Valley who spent his youth in a Polish Catholic church in McKeesport (and visited St. Nicholas on occasion), Keith graduated from Allegheny College and Carnegie Mellon University before relocating to Washington, DC. Later, Keith moved back to Pittsburgh, where he currently serves as Director of College Counseling at the Ellis School.

Penny Anderson grew up in Pittsburgh when steel was still its defining industry, and she was amazed to discover the Vanka murals for the first time in 2007. Since retiring from a career in computer science, she found a love of music and is founder-director of the choral ensemble Rivers of Delight. She is excited to use her experience and love of teaching in the service of the wonder that is Vanka Murals!