Pennsylvania Creative Industries, powered by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA), and representatives of the Pennsylvania Art Education Association gathered in the Capitol Rotunda to unveil a student-created artwork titled Many Communities, One Commonwealth.
The piece, which was created to celebrate the birth of our nation and Commonwealth, is a 6×8 foot, three-panel collage in the shape of Pennsylvania, composed entirely of original artwork from more than 180 K12 students throughout the Commonwealth.
In Spring 2026, PAEA put out a call for artwork through their membership, Pennsylvania
Intermediate Unit Association, and the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s art educators’ network.
Student artists represented their creative voices by reflecting on personal identity,
local landmarks, cultural traditions, and community history—responding to a simple, yet
powerful prompt: “What makes your hometown, neighborhood, or personal story
meaningful?” The final collage includes a broad range of objects, landmarks, and
events, including whitetail deer, historical markers, beloved sports teams and iconic cities and landscapes.
Moravian University student, Caroline Melillo, designed the final collage of art pieces, and
Lehigh Valley-based artist, Matt Halm, served as a consultant in assembling and adhering the collage to large panels.
“This beautiful artwork gives viewers the opportunity to see and appreciate Pennsylvania
through the eyes of some of our Commonwealth’s youngest residents,” said PCA Chair Susan S. Cohen. “The piece is heartfelt and whimsical and will stand as a visual testament to Pennsylvania’s history and future.”
The creation of Many Communities, One Commonwealth, was coordinated by Pennsylvania Art Education Association, on behalf of Pennsylvania Council on the Arts
“This project is a powerful reminder that young people have important stories to tell about
place, identity, and belonging,” said PAEA President-Elect Dr. MaryJo Rosania Harvie. “Through the visual arts, students across Pennsylvania are helping us see the Commonwealth not as one single story, but as a collection of many communities, perspectives, and lived experiences. I am especially proud that Moravian could contribute to a project that centers student voice on a statewide stage.”
The completed artwork will be on display in the Capitol rotunda through July 31.
