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Wilkinsburg Photo Scan Days

Published on April 15th, 2025

Call to action: Be a part of preserving Wilkinsburg’s history. 

The past is past, but survives in and all around us, unless we fail to capture it, promote it and celebrate it.  Center for Civic Arts’ mission is to preserve and celebrate Wilkinsburg’s irreplaceable cultural assets that restore an inclusive understanding of community, identity and place. Please consider helping to collect your irreplaceable photographs of Wilkinsburg, to be compiled in the Wilkinsburg community photo album, and exhibited in Fall 2025. Much of history is not found in text books and can slip away unless we take the effort to collect and archive materials, like photographs, into a cohesive collection.  Wilkinsburg photos from any decade including 2025 are acceptable. A Wilkinsburg place must be clearly identifiable.

Center for Civic Arts is planning 2 events to scan snapshots (or slides) that are in focus, in good condition, (slightly faded is okay)  from your family albums. 

Wilkinsburg’s main adult library (605 Ross Ave, 2nd floor)  scanning events –

Sat May 10th  2 – 3:30 

Sat May 17th 2 – 3:30

The first 25 people with 1 – 5 Wilkinsburg photos receive a  $10 Target card (1 per person) and certificate of participation. A release form will be signed and a short description of the photo taken. Original photos are scanned and returned to owners while the scans are printed and archived and then exhibited at a pop up exhibit at the Center for Civic Arts Fall 2025.

For more information contact civicarts211@gmail.com

In Memoriam: Frankie Turner

Published on February 21st, 2025

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Frankie Turner, who, for the last 18 years, was a dedicated employee of Wilkinsburg Public Library, more recently working in the Children’s Library and Eastridge Branch Library. Ms. Turner, or Ms. Frankie as she was more commonly known, died on the evening of Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at UPMC Shadyside, following a short illness. She was 83 years old. 

For years, Ms. Frankie led the library’s popular weekly Crochet Corner program, through which she shared her passion for crochet, passing on her technique to a younger generation of talented crafters. She was a beloved member of the Wilkinsburg community and a friend to many, who cherished her unmatched wit, extraordinary sense of style, and infectious smile. The weight of her loss is incalculable.

A viewing will be held on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM at West Funeral Home, located at 2215 Wylie Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15219. The funeral service will take place directly following the viewing, at 11:30 AM.