American Eagle Magazine

Friday, May 01, 2009

Art from the Heart

The new tile mosaic that 'appeared' over the winter holidays on the sixth floor of AEO's 77 Hot Metal corporate offices is fun to look at - it's even more fun to learn about

In an effort that combines artistry and charity, the "Blue Jean Mosaic" began its life with a grant from the AE Foundation to the Braddock Youth Project.  It's a summer program that employs teens from Braddock, Pennsylvania.  Braddock has the highest percentage of youth living in poverty in Allegheny County (the County that includes the City of Pittsburgh, and AEO's South Side Campus at Hot Metal).

Braddock Youth Project teens have three focus areas: the arts, communications and urban gardening. The project paired the Braddock teens, AE Associates and sculptor James Simon. Mr. Simon is a Pittsburgh-based recognized sculptor who has more than two decades of sculpture work which has been displayed worldwide.  The high school age teens assisted Mr. Simon in the project throughout.

"Helping teens in one of the lowest income neighborhoods here created a fulfilling project and activity for us," said Marcie Eberhart, Director - AE Foundation. "Associates helped to launch this project during our AE Give Back Day last summer, working alongside the Braddock students to get the mosaic started.  Now that it's complete and on display, it's a daily reminder of how AE and our Associates give back in creative ways."

About the Mosaic: The elegant 9' x 9' tile and glass mosaic depicts AEO brand icon 'birds', from American Eagle, aerie and 77kids. The colorful tiles are imported from Italy and the glass used for the flowers in the mosaic were produced at the Youghiogheny Art Glass Company, specializing in beautiful rolled glass.