Watershed Wheat-paste    at Berks Nature

About the Project

The trails along the Tulpehocken Creek and Schuylkill River have often been the target of vandalism on the nearby highway underpasses.  Covering the vandalism with fresh coats of paint is the equivalent of handing someone a fresh sheet of paper, and asking for more of the same.   As an experiment on a less tagged wall near Berks Nature’s trails, Reading’s Public Works Department gave permission  to cover the vandalism with wheat pasted posters.  The posters are temporary, just held in place with flour and water, and feature imagery inspired by iconic wildlife found within the watershed.  Several local artists contributed art for the screen-printed posters, and the community was invited to help paste up the work.  About a hundred people of all ages helped with the task…from Berks’ Nature’s preschool students to a gathering of educators learning about innovating our education system.