Alvernia unveils nearly 300-foot mural celebrating Schuylkill County heritage

Community art project at Pottsville CollegeTowne connects local history, creativity and collaboration

Alvernia University celebrated the unveiling of Progress Avenue, a nearly 300-foot-long mural honoring Schuylkill County's history, culture and community identity, on Oct. 7 at Pottsville CollegeTowne. Spearheaded by Alvernia University's Total Experience Learning (TExpL) Institute, the project brought together professional artists, students and community members to create a lasting piece of public art celebrating the region's heritage.

Artist Leslie Ramos and Project Manager Michael Miller transformed the nearly 300-foot-long exterior into a vibrant visual representation of Pottsville's history and identity. Located outside the university's downtown facility at 500 Progress Avenue, the mural encompasses approximately 4,600 square feet of painted artwork. The large-scale installation transforms the building's exterior into a colorful tribute to the region's past, present and future, incorporating elements of Pottsville's history alongside recognizable symbols of Alvernia University.

New Pottsville Mural features painting of Alvernia's mascot, the Golden Wolf, and motto "To Learn, To Love, To Serve."

Years in the making, the project reflects the mission of TExpL's Community Art Studio, which brings artists, students and community partners together through collaborative public art experiences. Over 100 volunteers from Alvernia's Reading and Pottsville locations helped Ramos and Miller bring the final product to life.

The mural's unveiling also marks another milestone for Pottsville CollegeTowne, which opened in January 2023 as part of Alvernia's broader commitment to expanding educational access, supporting economic development and building partnerships throughout Schuylkill County. Through initiatives like this, Alvernia continues to demonstrate how collaboration among education, the arts and the community can create meaningful and lasting contributions to the region.

The mural and its unveiling were featured in local news coverage:

WFMZ-TV: Watch the coverage.

Republican Herald: Read the story.