Conserving Maxo Vanka’s Murals

Vanka’s bold murals face age and conditions that naturally occur in an old church atop a hill.

In 2023, the conservation of the Vanka Murals continued with the support of a Save America’s Treasures Grant awarded by the Institute of Museum & Library Services and the Samuel H. Kress Foundation. The conservation team reached new heights concentrating their efforts on the first third of the high walls and ceiling of St. Nicholas. Today, the team is led by fine arts conservator Ana Alba and includes Patty Buss, Cindy Fiorini, Rikke Foulke, Cricket Harbeck, Jessica Keister, Patty Huss West, Mary Wilcop, Rhonda Wozniak and Kress Conservation Fellow Naomi Ruiz. Conservation technicians: Christina Cichra, Angelica Marks and Kate Pirilla. 2024 Conservation intern: Erin McChesney.

Meet the Conservators.

Maxo Vanka’s murals have won the Save America’s Treasures grant

Learn More

As of october 2023,
17 murals have been conserved.

2010: Pieta

2011: Mati 1941

Croatian Mother Raises Her Son for War Mural

2011: Croatian Mother Raises her Son for War

Immigrant Mother Gives Her Sons for American Industry

2013: Immigrant Mother Raises her Sons for American Industry

2013: Injustice

2013: Simple Family Meal

2014: Justice

2014: Crucifixion

2015: Prudence

2015: The Capitalist

2017: Christ on the Battlefield

2018: Mary on the Battlefield

Conservation of the Battlefield Scenes made by possible by: Snee Reinhardt Charitable
Foundation, Opportunity Fund and many generous individuals during the 2016 Pittsburgh Gives
Day of Giving.

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.

The grant was matched through the generosity of: Julia Bubanovich, Christie Clayton and Michael Burkitt, Marya and John Halderman (on behalf of the Vanka Family), Janet Kafka, John A. Martine, Melissa McSwigan and Robert Raczka, Jennifer Novotny Mulrooney, Rita Perstac, Julia Royall, and Barb Spelic.

2023: Phase I - Save America's Treasures

2023: St John

Conservation in 2023 is being made possible in part by a Save America's Treasures Grant awarded by the Institute of Library & Museum Services in partnership with the National Park Service. The nearly $500,000 grant must be matched on or before August 2025 to ensure the completion of the murals on the high walls and ceiling and additional investments in long-term preservation.

2023: St Luke

2023 - Kress Conservation Fellowship - Vanka Murals & Carnegie Museum of Art

The Society to Preserve the Millvale Murals of Maxo Vanka is pleased to partner with the Carnegie Museum of Art to offer a one-of-a-kind Kress Conservation Fellowship. Naomi Ruiz was selected for the year-long fellowship splitting her time between conservation of the Vanka Murals and the Carnegie's conservation department.

Conserving Maxo Vanka’s Murals

Maxo Vanka’s murals have won the Save America’s Treasures grant