ArtsAltoona, a local organization hosted a community event, StART Here, on Saturday, aiming to support and promote local art. Event organizers say they want to use art to encourage growth in the community.
Pamela Snyder Etters, the creator of a 35-foot-wide community mural on the North 4th Street, was busy climbing on and off a mechanic lift to draw the outline of the mural as well as directing volunteers to hand out burshes and paint.
"We want to encourage people to pick up a brush," said Snyder Etters, who is also the executive director of the Altoona Symphony Orchestra. "Art is accessible."
The mural is part of a neighborhood revitalization project. It’s designed by Snyder Etters but community members took part in painting it.
“[It's] just the idea of trying to mix arts and our everyday life at the same time,” she said.
The mural was completed on Sunday.
In addition, the event featured beautification projects including cleaning up the blocks and painting a community fence. More than a thousand people attended.
Event director Rue Moyer said he thinks art is one of many ways to help connect the community and bring growth to the area. He said he hopes to do multiple events like this throughout Blair County.
