04 Mar Connecting Through Art: Four Murals That Helped Me Feel at Home in Pittsburg

A section of the mural at Heritage Plaza in Old Town Pittsburg.

Photo Essay, Emily Molina

Moving to a new city can be an anxious experience. It’s often difficult to develop a sense of connection when you’re unfamiliar with a place’s traditions and history. As someone who’s lived in several cities across the Bay Area, I’ve found that a city’s character plays a big role in helping you call a new place home.

Now that I’m a new resident of Pittsburg, I’m still navigating the different communities that make up the essence of this town. One way I’ve found to engage with my new environment is through the art murals found around town. For me, these murals serve as a bonding experience, allowing me to identify with the community and feel connected to its identity. 

Below are four murals in Pittsburg that have helped me feel a sense of belonging and have taught me valuable lessons as I settle into my new home.

The Creation of Adam Mural – Crestview Drive

 

Whenever I take a walk around my neighborhood, I pause to admire a mural inspired by Michelangelo’s “The Creation of Adam.” Located on Crestview Drive, across from Woodland Hills Park, this mural is one of my favorites. It serves as a reminder to reflect and appreciate the peace of my daily walks. The calming backdrop of the towering green hillsides along Kirker Pass adds to the serenity, and seeing the mural makes me feel grateful for the quiet, pleasant neighborhoods in Pittsburg.

Heritage Park Plaza Mural – Old Town Pittsburg

 

For those who want to learn more about Pittsburg’s deep sense of community, the mural at Heritage Park Plaza in Old Town is a must-see. The mural beautifully depicts themes of familial bonds, historical pride, and community prosperity — values passed down through generations of Pittsburg residents who have made this town special.

As a newcomer, I find myself identifying with one section of the mural in particular. It shows a newly arrived family with their belongings, transitioning into a photograph of a wedding. To me, this symbolizes establishing generational roots and family bonds — something I hope to do here in Pittsburg as well.

 

The mural at Historical Park Plaza is mesmerizing, as many of the events it depicts resonate with my own journey of starting a new chapter in Pittsubrg. 

Indigenous Heritage Mural – Railroad Avenue

 

Another mural I enjoy is located on the side of the Ace Hardware building on Railroad Avenue. This colorful piece honors the Indigenous heritage of the Pittsburg area, specifically the Bay Miwok people who lived here long before European settlers arrived. The mural acknowledges the lives of these Indigenous groups, whose cultures were reshaped by newcomers. Today, these blended cultures coexist, a reality the mural beautifully captures.

Latino Heritage Mural – Cardenas Market

 

Lastly, there’s a stunning mural on the history of the Latino identity, located on the back of the Cardenas Market near the highway entrance. This series of murals chronicles the pre-history, transformation, and ongoing cultural presence of the Latino community in Pittsburg. As someone who shares in that heritage, I find it deeply meaningful to see it proudly displayed as visitors enter the town. It’s a visual welcome that makes me feel connected to the city and its values.

 

These murals have become my way of bonding with Pittsburg, offering me a sense of belonging and helping me appreciate the town’s rich history. They serve as both reminders of the past and invitations to become a part of the ongoing story of this community. I encourage everyone to walk through their city, or any new town, and explore public art to better understand the community’s identity.