Canonsburg nonprofit debuts heritage wall
More than 70 years of memories are now on display at Arc Human Services, thanks to a recently unveiled “heritage wall.”
The approximately 35-foot-wide wall is arranged chronologically, showcasing black and white photographs from the Arc’s earliest days up to contemporary digital pictures.
Arc is a nonprofit that provides a range of services including residential accommodation and clinical support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Southwestern Pennsylvania.
According to Michael Brownlee, Arc’s communications and development director who spearheaded the project, the inspiration for the wall came when staff discovered a trove of photographs during renovation work on their Canonsburg office.
These pictures captured the growth of the Arc over the past seven decades, Brownlee said, which led him to brainstorming the best way to display that growth in a visual format.
The final design incorporates several panels of photos arranged chronologically that each feature a different “phase” the Arc has experienced, he said.
Brownlee collaborated with Pittsburgh graphic designer Autumn Farole for the layout of the wall.
The final result of their collaboration is now open to the public at the Arc’s 111 West Pike St. headquarters along a hallway shared with Chicco Baccello coffee shop.
According to Arc Board President Eric Chandler, the wall was “done with excellence,” and is a beautiful way to honor the organization’s past.
“I love what (Brownlee) did to tell the story of what we’ve done,” Chandler said. “It’s a visual of resilience.”
Chandler said the wall is a beautiful reflection of the Arc’s history.
“The heritage wall reflects not only where Arc Human Services has been, but where it’s headed,” according to a release from Arc. “Even as the organization honors its roots, it continues to innovate and expand.
“The recent addition of the Smart Living Home – a state-of-the-art facility where individuals can explore assistive technology and practice independent living skills – demonstrates Arc Human Services’ ongoing commitment to pioneering new approaches that empower people with disabilities.”