Welcome to the Heart of Sayre
Sayre’s largest mural, Welcome to the Heart of Sayre, was completed in July 2024 through an Artist-in-Residence program funded by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA) and generous contributions to Friends of Valley Arts (FoVA). This community-focused project transformed an 88-by-12-foot wall in the downtown business district with the involvement of over 250 residents and numerous local businesses.
The mural’s production blended traditional and innovative methods. The 30-foot “Welcome to the Heart of Sayre” section was stenciled and painted directly onto the wall, while the remaining 60 feet were created using Polytab—a modern technique involving pre-painted fabric panels adhered with acrylic gel. This method allowed much of the mural to be developed as “paint-by-number” panels, painted indoors during winter community paint sessions. Installed between June and July, the mural now serves as a vibrant downtown landmark, telling the visual story of Sayre’s unique history and community spirit
Mural # 5 Artists
Cat Badger
Dana Twigg
Erik Franklin
Kevin Heath
250+ Community Members
Cat Badger – A Scenic/Studio Artist with extensive experience spanning fine art, mural creation, film and theater set design, museum exhibits, and custom installations. Commissioned by the PCA and BCRAC as the lead artist-in-residence, Cat’s expertise was crucial to both the production and installation of the project, ensuring its successful completion.
Dana Twigg – An Artist and Educator with a distinguished 35-year tenure as an art teacher in the Sayre Area School District. Now retired, Dana has embraced a flourishing art career across various mediums. Also enlisted as a lead artist, his contributions to the project were invaluable, showcasing his artistic talent and leadership in guiding community painting sessions, the installation, and overseeing the project from start to finish.
Erik Franklin and Kevin Heath – Both designers, with careers in creative fields and experience in large-scale projects, were brought on board by their former teacher, Dana Twigg. Erik and Kevin played vital roles throughout the process, contributing to the design, Polytab production, installation, and execution of the stenciling technique.
Each of these four artists brought distinct skills that were essential to the project’s success and they all acknowledge that the endeavor would not have been possible without the steadfast support of the community..
Our Donors
Friends of Valley Arts 