FroGang Mural Opening Celebration with Artist Rell Rushin

Celebrate the opening of Frofully Connected, a new mural by artist Rell Rushin created in collaboration with FroGang Foundation, Inc. as part of the Public Art and Communities Program. The artwork celebrates natural Black hair and culture and affirms the importance of self-love, sisterhood, confidence, and connection. The event will feature live poetry, performance, music, refreshments, and remarks from the artist Rell Rushin as well as the founder of FroGang, Kelli Shakur.

This event will take place at 501 Climax Street, at the intersection of Climax Street and Curtin Avenue in Beltzhoover on Sunday, August 20, 2023 at 3:00 PM. The event is free and open to the public.

This project is sponsored by the Public Art and Communities Program of Neighborhood Allies, Office for Public Art, and the Borough of Millvale.

About Frofully Connected

Frofully Connected celebrates natural Black hair and culture and seeks to affirm the importance of self-love, sisterhood, confidence, and connection. The mural speaks to FroGang’s mission of promoting and creating positive self-images for young Black girls so that they can recognize their self-worth and see beauty when they look in the mirror. Artist Rell Rushin developed this artwork in collaboration with the girls of FroGang.

The artwork was developed through the Public Art and Communities Program of the Office for Public Art, Neighborhood Allies, and the Borough of Millvale. This program supports artists and communities in working together to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and its intersecting public health crises. Frofully Connected was created in response to FroGang’s defined community need of addressing racism faced by Black women and girls in the Pittsburgh region.

FroGang chose the location of the artwork in their home neighborhood of Beltzhoover. FroGang’s founder, Kelli Shakur, was born and raised in Beltzhoover, and most of the participating girls are from Beltzhoover and the surrounding Hilltop communities. Frofully Connected is installed on the side of a building that faces a lot that FroGang is in the process of adopting from the City of Pittsburgh.

FroGang is committed to improving this site to give the community youth a place where they can feel welcomed and see themselves reflected in the artwork. The site is prominently located in the community and is visible upon entry into Beltzhoover from Warrington Avenue. FroGang envisions the lot as a place for the members of both FroGang and the Beltzhoover community to gather for events, with artwork that celebrates FroGang and their mission.

To learn more about this artwork, please visit Rell Rushin’s project page: https://opapgh.org/our-work/civic-engagement/public-art-and-communities-program/frofully-connected/

Directions and Parking Information

This event will take place at 501 Climax Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15210, on the corner of Climax Street and Curtin Avenue in Beltzhoover.

Street parking is available in the surrounding area.

If taking public transportation, there is a stop at Climax Street and Estella Avenue that serves route 44; there is a stop at Beltzhoover Avenue and Climax Street that serves routes 44 and 54; and there is a stop one block away at Beltzhoover Avenue and Freeland Street that serves route 54. For more information on public transportation, please visit the Pittsburgh Regional Transit website HERE.