Apollo council approves measure to brighten town

Motorists heading into Apollo soon might be seeing mosaics and a mural on buildings.

Council on Thursday approved an Apollo-Ridge School District initiative to build mosaics on buildings in the downtown area near the Leonard C. Miller Bridge and the intersection of First Avenue and Astronaut Way.

Cris Kostiuk, Apollo-Ridge administrative assistant, told council that five mosaics are planned for the Andring building, an antique store and possibly another business.

The mosaics will depict the past, present and future of the 201-year-old municipality. Next spring, a huge mural would tie together the subject matter of the mosaic portals.

An Indiana University of Pennsylvania resident-artist would spend 20 days at Apollo-Ridge to advise the students on what the artwork would look like.

The Apollo-Ridge Education Foundation may pay some of the anticipated $8,000 cost.

“Other avenues of funding will be pursued,” Kostiuk said. “It would be the first thing people see when they come into Apollo.”

Kostiuk will meet with council when the final concept is developed.

New Kensington is another Alle-Kiski Valley town that is using public art such as murals to make its business district more attractive.

George Guido is a freelance writer.