We believe the art included and promoted by these initiatives will bring about change and a sense of belonging for our beloved community
Below is a link to our art initiative in 2025
Vision
We envision a Pennsylvania in which LGBTQIA+ communities and their allies are not only visible, but actively shaping the public narrative through acts of compassion and creativity. By harnessing the transformative power of public art, we seek to foster belonging, encourage dialogue, and inspire openness in communities that have historically been divided by fear and misinformation. Our vision is a society where every individual recognizes their shared humanity and the profound impact of generosity.
Mission
Our mission is to unite and empower diverse communities across the Keystone Conference through vibrant public art installations that celebrate Pride, compassion, and resilience. By collaborating with local churches, businesses, and volunteers, we aim to create visible acts of kindness that invite reflection, spark conversation, and encourage civic engagement. We strive to ensure that every participant and observer feels seen, valued, and inspired to support inclusive communities.
What We Do
We organize immersive public art experiences, transforming storefront windows and other prominent surfaces into canvases for hope and solidarity during Pride month. Each installation features bright, attention-grabbing artwork designed to be understood at a glance and to invite interaction. Reflective elements and QR codes connect viewers to short, uplifting stories from LGBTQIA+ individuals, centering kindness, resilience, and common life experiences.
Our approach is both strategic and deeply relational. We partner with local businesses who provide the physical spaces for our murals, ensuring that the art is woven into the fabric of daily life. Volunteers and artists collaborate to design, paint, and install the works, while our team coordinates logistics, outreach, and storytelling. We also offer bumper stickers and other materials to extend the project’s reach beyond the installations themselves.
Each year, we prioritize districts and communities where openness and dialogue are most needed, informed by research and local relationships. Our goal is to create a replicable model that can be adopted by other churches and organizations within the Keystone Conference and, eventually, beyond.
Why It Matters
This initiative operates at the intersection of compassion, visibility, and civic responsibility. In a climate marked by polarization and uncertainty, we offer a creative response that disarms fear and highlights shared humanity. Last year, our project was featured in two news interviews and multiple newspaper articles. Over five businesses, including the Lancaster Public Library, hosted our murals. We received endorsements from the City of Lancaster, the Mayor, two state representatives, a county commissioner, and two city council members, one of whom is now the current mayor. These leaders have expressed strong support and are likely to join future initiatives.
At Lancaster PRIDE, more than 1,000 people signed a plexiglass mural, each making space for others and ensuring no one’s name was overwritten. This simple act reflected the heart of our community: there is space for everyone, and consideration for others is instinctive. The County Commissioner shared a moving story about her son’s experience in the LGBTQIA+ community, galvanizing support and deepening our impact.
Our installations have become focal points for dialogue, reflection, and celebration. The photographs and testimonials from these events capture the spirit of inclusion and hope that defines our work. We believe that by making compassion visible, we can influence attitudes, build alliances, and encourage civic participation in ways that resonate far beyond Pride month.
Collaborative Strategy
Presence/LiFT UCC, as part of the Keystone Conference, is committed to expanding this project across Pennsylvania. Our strategy centers on identifying churches within the conference that are eager to become satellites of the Pop-Up Art initiative. By sharing resources, best practices, and creative assets, we aim to build a network of partners who can replicate and adapt the project to their own communities.
We invite the Keystone Conference leadership to help us identify and connect with interested churches, fostering collaboration and mutual support. Local businesses remain essential partners, providing the public spaces that make our art visible and accessible. As the project grows, we will continue to seek endorsements, media coverage, and civic engagement to amplify our impact.
Our approach is informed by ongoing research and feedback from participants, partners, and community leaders. We are committed to refining our methods and expanding our reach, ensuring that every installation is both meaningful and effective.
How You Can Support or Collaborate
If you are a Funder:
Your financial support is vital to sustaining and expanding this initiative. Contributions help cover materials, artist honoraria, logistics, outreach, and research. The Keystone Conference itself is a potential funder, and we welcome connections to other philanthropic networks and grant opportunities.
If you are a Partner Church:
Your congregation’s participation is key to replicating and growing the project. By hosting installations, sharing stories, and mobilizing volunteers, you help create visible acts of compassion in your community. We offer guidance, resources, and support to ensure your success.
If you are a Local Business:
Your storefronts and public spaces are the canvas for our message of inclusion. By partnering with us, you demonstrate your commitment to community and help make compassion visible. We invite you to join us in hosting murals, distributing materials, and engaging with your customers in meaningful ways.
If you are a Volunteer:
Your creativity and dedication are the heartbeat of this project. Whether you are an artist, storyteller, organizer, or advocate, your involvement helps build a statewide network of engagement. We welcome your passion and invite you to help us bring this vision to life.
If you are an Interested Party or Conference Leader:
Your endorsement and support are essential to our success. By championing this initiative, you help foster collaboration, amplify our message, and ensure that every community in the Keystone Conference has the opportunity to participate.
LiFT United Church of Christ 