Ali Ruffner - Emerald View Park | Art In Parks

The Artist

Ali Ruffner is a queer Pittsburgh native and Pennsylvania-based artist and cultural worker whose projects are dedicated to a culture of revolution. They have a BFA from the University of Delaware with a concentration in sculpture, a BS from the University of Delaware in Gender Studies, and are currently a Masters of Art Education and Community Arts candidate at Tyler School of Art + Architecture. Ruffner strives to uphold, expose, and respond with joy to the culture of a place by spending time collecting stories in the community.

Learn more about Ali and their work here.

A Monument To Pittsburgh Youth

About The Artwork

Ruffner's long-term engagement with students at Brashear High School led to their final design for this multi-component artwork in Emerald View Park. A Monument to Pittsburgh Youth uses castings of the students' own hands and ceramic tiles with street-art inspired signatures of the participants to create a sculptural installation framed by the park trails.

An elevation of the voices of this community's youth, the monument was envisioned as a place for activity, socialization, and rest.

The Storyteller

At each Art in Parks location, local storytellers created works to document and expand the narrative of the artists.

Sandra Bacchi's short documentary, The Art at Emerald View Park, tells the story of the Art in Parks program, gives perspectives from the artists and other project partners, and reflects on what public art brings to a community. Watch it here!