Program Description
Body
This program will introduce participants to the awe-inspirating murals of Croatian artist Maxo Vanka through a presentation with Director of Education & Interpretation, Becky Gaugler. Participants will discover how this local treasure, covering the walls and ceiling of the sanctuary of the St. Nicholas Croatian Catholic Church in Millvale, were painted over two intense periods in 1937 and 1941 and reflect the lived experiences of the church’s working-class, immigrant congregation.
Becky will share the stories behind the artist, the murals, and the history of the church and its Croatian immigrant congregation. These unique murals are at the intersection of history, art, and social justice – with timeless themes of love, struggle, faith, and hope. The 60-minute program will include the presentation and time for questions, with a focus on looking for the good and how Vanka’s murals continue to have the power to move and inspire us.
Biography of Speaker:
Becky Gaugler is the Director of Education & Interpretation at the Society to Preserve the Millvale Murals of Maxo Vanka. She holds both a BA and MA in art history and has been working in museum education for almost 20 years. Becky previously worked as the Manager of School & Teacher Programs at Carnegie Museum of Art and most recently as a freelance consultant with a variety of area museums and nonprofits, including the Heinz History Center, the Arts Education Collaborative, and the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh.
A Pittsburgh native, Becky grew up in Edgewood and returned to her hometown in 2009. She now lives in Lawrenceville with her family.
Disclaimer(s)
By participating in or attending any library event, program, or class, visitors may be photographed by library staff. The library reserves the right to use these photographs for publicity purposes in printed materials and online. If you or a family member prefer not to be photographed, please inform the library staff in charge before the event begins.