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Mural brings color, positivity to Northview Heights

PITTSBURGH — A newly painted mural is intended to bring positive change to the Northview Heights area, which has been plagued by recent violence.

The side of the Northview Heights Family Support Center on Hazlett Street was transformed into the 50-foot work of art Saturday.

Joyce Robinson and five of her grandchildren participated in the Northview Heights Mural Project.

"We love our community. We want a better life," chanted Robinson and her grandchildren as they put a splash of color on the previously bare wall.

Quincy Kofi Swatson, executive director of the Door Campaign, came up with the idea for the project.

"What I envision is just happiness, color." said Swatson "Northview Heights is a very isolated community and there are a lot of needs that are necessary for the youth to thrive and succeed."

Swatson hopes the mural is a way to divert attention in the crime-ridden neighborhood.

"We want the message to be, this is a place where you can go to not really think about those things for a while and just escape the norms of everyday life," said artist Ryan Lammie, who volunteered to help the Northview Heights community with the creation.