Created for The Pittsburgh Foundation with project management by Gina Konopack of mossArchitects

Their souls dwell in a place of tomorrow is an 80 sq ft. paint and ceramic tile mural installed on the top floor of the Pittsburgh Foundation’s new office space. 

This piece narrates a nuanced moment in time –  my five year old daughter Zoe learning to ride a bike. She is encouraged to return to her bike until every stumbling attempt to rebalance no longer needs validation. Persistence has sparked an internal muse to grow. She is framed by a stylized illustration of twilight, where an iconic Pittsburgh bridge anchors her. Vibrant hues weave together overlapping mountains and rivers, creating dynamic layers of color and textured surfaces that invite depth. Industrial and natural landscapes over Appalachian mountains flank a focused little girl forward. The piece is an acknowledgement that our children are not ours, rather they belong to themselves, blossoming into the world. 

The title of this piece reflects lyrics from the song On Children by Sweet Honey in the Rock, an acapella group composed of Black women. The song was derived from a namesake poem by Khalil Gibran.