Since 2010, conservation of the Vanka Murals has been made possible through the generosity of thousands of individuals. We stand at 90% completion thanks to our community of support. We recognize the congregation of St. Nicholas Croatian Catholic Church for their enduring partnership and patience.
Our conservation team has gifted significant time and talent over the years; nothing would be possible without their commitment to this project. Special thanks to the Institute for Museum & Library Services and the Kress Foundation for helping to make the 2023-2025 Conservation Campaign possible. We’re grateful to BrandSafway and RJ Lee Corporation for their professional assistance and in-kind contributions.
As of September 2025
18 murals have been conserved
2025: Old Testament Wall
2025: St. Mark & St. Matthew
2024: Transcendent Vision
“It is always exciting during the cleaning process to see colors and details emerge from under the grime. Even though he knew it would be viewed from a great distance, he added so many details. From the stars and constellations in the sky to the individual faces of every cherub and angel.” — Patty Buss, Conservator
2023: New Testament Wall
2023: St. Luke
2023: St. John
“I think about him a lot. I wonder what he thought of America and if it felt like the land of promise, if he enjoyed the freedom of being able to express his opinions, if he ever thought forward about how his message would impact generations to come, if he wondered about the immediate impact the murals would have.” — Cricket Harbeck
2022: St. Francis and St. Clare
Conservation of St. Francis and St. Clare was completed in partnership with the Rivers of Steel Heritage Area. Funding was provided in part by a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation, Environmental Stewardship Fund, administered by the Rivers of Steel Heritage Corporation.
We’re also grateful for the support of: Julia Bubanovich, Christie Clayton and Michael Burkitt, Marya and John Halderman, Janet Kafka, John A. Martine, Melissa McSwigan and Robert Raczka, Jennifer Novotny Mulrooney, Rita Perstac, Julia Royall, and Barb Spelic.
2018: Mary on the Battlefield
2018: Christ on the Battlefield
2015: The Capitalist
2015: Prudence
2014: Crucifixion
2014: Justice
2013: Simple Family Meal
2013: Injustice
2013: Croatian Mother Raises Her Son for War
“The process of conserving and restoring these murals requires that we spend countless hours with representations of saints, immigrants, mothers, and those lost to war and capitalism.
I feel that Vanka’s juxtaposition of people navigating socioeconomic issues and beings who observe from the heavenly cosmos challenges us to consider new ways of engaging with our world and each other.” — Kate Pirilla, Conservator
2011: Immigrant Mother Raises Her Sons for American Industry
2011: Mati 1941
2010: Pieta
