Shenango professor contributes mural honoring Sharpsville’s 150th birthday

SHARON, Pa. - Penn State Shenango Lecturer of Art Christian Kuharik, along with Adam Darby, art teacher at Hickory High School, unveiled a commemorative mural as part of the Borough of Sharpsville's 150th birthday celebration earlier this year.

The duo partnered with the Sharpsville Historical Society, gaining artistic insights through research by examining books and photographs to determine what imagery would capture key elements of the borough's rich history.

The 12x50 foot mural adorns the exterior of the Sharpsville fire station wall and reflects Sharpsville's role as one of the world's top iron producers in the late 1800s. The mural features a depiction of a massive iron crucible pouring molten steel. This imagery flows into a river where residents enjoy leisure activities, symbolizing the blend of industry and community life.

Historic landmarks are also prominently featured. On the left of the mural, the Welch House, one of three historic boarding houses and taverns of the era is depicted, and on the right is a rendering of industrialist Gen. James Pierce's mansion.

The base of the mural pays tribute to Sharpsville's fire department, featuring the city's first firetruck filled with Santa Claus figures - a nod to a beloved tradition where service clubs deliver Santas to every household on Christmas Eve.

According to Kuharik, the community's reception to the mural has been very positive.

"We had over 100 people at the unveiling and I'm still receiving complements daily," Kuharik said. "I take great pride in the mural because of the rich history, but also because my family was part of Sharpsville from the beginning."

Kuharik shared that the mural, and the entire sesquicentennial celebration, was not only meant to honor Sharpsville's legacy in western Pennsylvania but also preserve its history and celebrate its future.