Jenna Boyles Artwork Reveal at Bakery Square

In July 2025, I was invited to photograph a public art installation at Bakery Square. The piece, titled “Pittsburgh Highlights,” was created by Jenna Boyles, an artist based in Penn Hills. The event marked the fifth installment in Bakery Square’s Public Art Program and was hosted in front of City Kitchen.


About the Installation

The artwork spans two stories and was created using reused and found materials, including aluminum cans, plywood, and various objects that were repurposed into sculptural textures and painted elements. Boyles described the piece as a celebration of local landscapes and community, highlighting Pittsburgh’s bridges, rivers, and natural environments.

According to the official blog from Bakery Square, the project was completed with help from students at PPS Lincoln PreK–5 and the Urban Academy of Greater Pittsburgh. These students contributed by stamping painted textures and assembling collage-style features into the final mural.


More background on Jenna Boyles and her creative approach is shared by Carnegie Mellon University, where she is a teaching artist. Her work often focuses on sustainability and everyday materials, something clearly visible in this installation.


My Focus as a Photographer

This shoot gave me the chance to focus on how art interacts with public space. I took wide shots to show the scale of the piece against the Bakery Square architecture, and tighter shots to highlight the textures and material contrasts. I also captured the moments of engagement, like students pointing to their contributions or community members stopping to observe.

My goal was to document the connection between the artwork and the public space around it. The use of reflective and recycled materials made lighting an important element to capture, especially as the sun shifted across the mural.


Closing Thoughts

Photographing this reveal was a reminder of how public art can bring people together. Boyles and the students built something that reflects both the identity of Pittsburgh and the value of creativity rooted in community. I’m grateful to have been part of recording that moment.

Whimsical wall mural featuring bright colors and abstract designs creates playful backdrop.
Black interpretive signage stands in a garden bed with tall ornamental grasses near a city building.
Colorful abstract mural featuring organic shapes and patterns displayed on a brick building exterior.
People sitting on curb near parking meter post on sunny urban sidewalk.
Colorful balloons decorate the entrance to Bakery Square with a vibrant mural in the background.
People walk along a sunny sidewalk with colorful balloons and buildings in an urban setting.
Colorfully wrapped party favors and gift bags displayed at a Bakery Square branded event.
Colorful abstract mural with vibrant swirling patterns displayed on brick building storefront windows.
A colorful public notice sign asking 'Notice anything new in the square?' with decorative artwork and a QR code.
Colorful balloons in front of a vibrant mural display on a brick building wall.
Urban shopping center exterior with retail buildings, glass facades, and parking area beneath blue skies in a downtown setting.
Colorful balloon arch decorates an outdoor gathering with refreshments being served.
Balloon garlands in vibrant rainbow colors decorate the facade of a brick building during a festive outdoor celebration.
A person takes a photo of colorful abstract murals painted on brick walls outside a building.
Pedestrians walk past a large colorful abstract mural on a brick wall in an urban setting.
A person in a lime green cardigan views a vibrant colorful wall mural outside a brick building.
Modern atrium dining space with glass ceiling and numerous patrons seated at tables in a bright, airy setting.
Small shot glasses arranged on colorful leaf-shaped platforms display vibrant drinks at a catering event.
A figure in a flowy lime green dress poses against vibrant rainbow-colored street art on a brick wall.
Two people observe a vibrant abstract mural featuring colorful organic shapes and patterns on a wall.
Colorful balloons in pink, green, and teal arranged against a dark background with abstract art.
Colorful abstract wall art with vibrant pink, blue, and green shapes decorated with metallic button accents.
People gather outside a brick building with colorful street art mural during a daytime event.
Colorful street art mural with abstract shapes and bright patterns adorns the side of a brick building under blue sky.
Decorative pink and blue star shapes adorned with crystal or rhinestone embellishments in a vibrant wall art display.
Two people share a warm embrace in front of a colorful mural on a brick wall outside a building.
Panoramic view of a brick building exterior decorated with colorful balloon arches and people gathering for an outdoor event.
A red wagon sits in front of a colorful abstract mural on a brick wall.
Colorful abstract floor art installation with geometric shapes and raised platforms in an indoor space.
Colorful mural on brick wall outside shopping center with people gathered to view street art installation.
Jazz musicians perform outdoors with guitar, saxophone and upright bass in front of a glass building facade.
Whimsical wall mural featuring bright colors and abstract designs creates playful backdrop.
Black interpretive signage stands in a garden bed with tall ornamental grasses near a city building.
Colorful abstract mural featuring organic shapes and patterns displayed on a brick building exterior.
People sitting on curb near parking meter post on sunny urban sidewalk.
Colorful balloons decorate the entrance to Bakery Square with a vibrant mural in the background.
People walk along a sunny sidewalk with colorful balloons and buildings in an urban setting.
Colorfully wrapped party favors and gift bags displayed at a Bakery Square branded event.
Colorful abstract mural with vibrant swirling patterns displayed on brick building storefront windows.
A colorful public notice sign asking 'Notice anything new in the square?' with decorative artwork and a QR code.
Colorful balloons in front of a vibrant mural display on a brick building wall.
Urban shopping center exterior with retail buildings, glass facades, and parking area beneath blue skies in a downtown setting.
Colorful balloon arch decorates an outdoor gathering with refreshments being served.
Balloon garlands in vibrant rainbow colors decorate the facade of a brick building during a festive outdoor celebration.
A person takes a photo of colorful abstract murals painted on brick walls outside a building.
Pedestrians walk past a large colorful abstract mural on a brick wall in an urban setting.
A person in a lime green cardigan views a vibrant colorful wall mural outside a brick building.
Modern atrium dining space with glass ceiling and numerous patrons seated at tables in a bright, airy setting.
Small shot glasses arranged on colorful leaf-shaped platforms display vibrant drinks at a catering event.
A figure in a flowy lime green dress poses against vibrant rainbow-colored street art on a brick wall.
Two people observe a vibrant abstract mural featuring colorful organic shapes and patterns on a wall.
Colorful balloons in pink, green, and teal arranged against a dark background with abstract art.
Colorful abstract wall art with vibrant pink, blue, and green shapes decorated with metallic button accents.
People gather outside a brick building with colorful street art mural during a daytime event.
Colorful street art mural with abstract shapes and bright patterns adorns the side of a brick building under blue sky.
Decorative pink and blue star shapes adorned with crystal or rhinestone embellishments in a vibrant wall art display.
Two people share a warm embrace in front of a colorful mural on a brick wall outside a building.
Panoramic view of a brick building exterior decorated with colorful balloon arches and people gathering for an outdoor event.
A red wagon sits in front of a colorful abstract mural on a brick wall.
Colorful abstract floor art installation with geometric shapes and raised platforms in an indoor space.
Colorful mural on brick wall outside shopping center with people gathered to view street art installation.
Jazz musicians perform outdoors with guitar, saxophone and upright bass in front of a glass building facade.