Maxo Vanka (1889 – 1963), a Croatian immigrant and renowned artist has created his “Gift to America” to the Pittsburgh region, an entire sanctuary, the Saint Nicholas Croatian Catholic Church in Millvale, covered in dynamic murals depicting powerful messages of workers’ struggle, war, capitalism, and yes, even religious murals.

This edition we talk to the people racing to save the murals from water damage, and seventy years of natural aging. They are Steffi Domike and Anna Doering with The Society to Preserve the Millvale Murals of Maxo Vanka.

We’ll talk about the restoration efforts, the future of the society, the state of the murals before the society had formed, and a special exhibit available for the next few days (until October 6th 2023) that show you the progression of his work throughout his life leading up to the murals’ creation.

Show notes: https://pghmuseums.org/bloglibrary/gledaj-the-new-pittsburgh-exposition-podcast

Special Guests: Anna Doering and Steffi Domike.

EXTRA EXTRA! We have the full interview with Todd Wilson from our second edition here for your listening pleasure in this special EXTRA edition. We talk bridges, but locally and afar, traveling, and rooftop terraces. Don't miss it!

Special Guest: Todd Wilson.

Doors Open Pittsburgh has seen more than 22 thousand people attend their many events of neighborhood, destination, and boat tours, throughout the city of Pittsburgh, since its inception in 2016. Bonnie Baxter, Doors Open’s founder, had no previous event planning experience, so how was she able to achieve such success, and how does she keep bringing people back for more? We talk to Bonnie to find out, and we talk to Doors Open Pittsburgh tour guide Todd Wilson, and Doors Open volunteer Christine Montgomery to find out how Bonnie’s vision and work created opportunities for them to live their passions. Discover how passions collide on this edition of The New Pittsburgh Exposition.

Show notes: https://pghmuseums.org/bloglibrary/benebby-2ndedition-the-new-pittsburgh-exposition-podcast

Special Guests: Bonnie Baxter, Christine Montgomery, and Todd Wilson.

Welcome to the very first edition of The New Pittsburgh Exposition! Everyone knows the famous, award winning, movie star, Jimmy Stewart. Did you know his sister was an accomplished artist? This month we explore the art and life of Mary Stewart Perry. For the first time, a comprehensive selection of her work is on display and it's right in Indiana, PA, at The Jimmy Stewart Museum. We talk to her son David Perry, and Janie McKirgan, executive director of The Jimmy Stewart Museum.

Show notes: https://pghmuseums.org/bloglibrary/another-wonderful-life-first-edition-the-new-pittsburgh-exposition-podcast

Special Guests: David Perry and Janie McKirgan.