Walmart wall picture in Harrison portrays Burtner House, other township highlights

The artist Jenn Hartzler lives almost three hours from Harrison, but her latest mural, which is exhibited at Walmart in the Natrona Heights Section of the community, captivates the best parts of the community perfectly.

The 18-time 11-foot design shows the Burtner House, Harrison Hills and people who enjoy bike paths and waterfalls.

“I was looking for a lot of Google Earth pictures as a reference because it takes time to find out what these places look like,” said Hartzler, an art teacher from Belleville, Mifflin County.

“I am satisfied with it and I am excited to see what people think about it.”

The mural is sprayed over an inner wall near the food entrance on the Walmart on the Freeport Road.

Hartzler pulled the design on her iPad and was then uploaded to vinyl and applied like wallpaper.

“For me it is the most effective way,” she said. “If you submit the concept, only a few changes have to be made. Really, it still takes about as much time.”

The colorful work of art is part of the company's community program, which is supposed to celebrate the people and places where the shops are located. Wand paintings are usually included during the renovation of a business, as the recently completed in Harrison Walmart. The great reopening of the business was celebrated on July 4th.

According to the company website, murals reflect the local diversity and culture of every community. Each piece is unique that has now been created by a bold artist from the public art agency.

They are presented in hundreds of Walmart transactions across the country.

The shop manager Tony Soltis said that the mural had “received a clear love and appreciation” in just two weeks.

“It was a hot topic,” said Soltis, manager for 11 years.

“I couldn't be happier how the community is shown in this mural.”

It was up to Soltis to recommend the three best life features in Harrison. He chose the Burtner House, one of the oldest houses in Allegheny County, for his historical value, but also because it is so recognizable. It is the first thing drivers see when you leave Route 28 to the community.

The once working farm along the Little Bull Creek is a first -class example of an early life in the community. It was included in the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.

The mural also focuses on large strawberries to represent the annual strawberry festival of Burtner House.

According to Soltis, the people who drive a dog and other bicycles show the abundance of paths and relaxation outdoors. And a waterfall shows the quiet environment in Harrison Hills, the 500 hectare park in Allegheny County, also on the Freeport Road.

“I think it summarizes the best thing to offer the city,” he said.

Hartzler, who acquired a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting at the Rochester Institute of Technology, has also created wall paintings for Walmart stores in Schenectady, NY. Sanford, NC; and Poland, Ohio.

She said artists had about a week to explore the city and to draw art.

“You have to organize,” she said. “But it's nice because they learn what is special in these small cities.”