Tuesday, October 29, 2024
PITTSBURGH (October 29, 2024) — Highmark and the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation are bringing a unique art installation to PPG Paints Arena during the 2024-2025 season, showcasing the power of community and youth sports. The display, unveiled at the Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Minnesota Wild game on Tuesday, Oct. 29, features hockey sticks donated by local youth leagues that practice and play at the Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Hunt Armory, community teams including the Pittsburgh LGBTQ+ Tigers and Chatham University Cougars, and a National Hockey League (NHL) player, Pittsburgh Penguins right winger and two-time Stanley Cup Champion, Bryan Rust.
Designed and built by Wicked Pittsburgh, the 8'x8' installation is an extension of the ongoing partnership between Highmark and the Penguins Foundation to revitalize the historic Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Hunt Armory and the diverse community that benefits from this facility. A grant awarded through the Highmark Bright Blue Futures corporate giving and community involvement program has transformed the armory into a thriving community hub, offering accessible hockey programs and public skating that has welcomed over 50,000 attendees since opening.
“The Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation is proud to partner with Highmark to support the creation of this one-of-a-kind art instillation,” said Yvonne Maher, Executive Director of the Penguins Foundation. “Each donated stick tells a story of the shared passion for hockey by youth athletes, local organizations and the Pittsburgh Penguins alike, and we’re excited to showcase this display at PPG Paints Arena.”
This initiative is one of many supported by Highmark’s charitable giving and community involvement program, Highmark Bright Blue Futures, aiming to improve equitable access to care, quality of life, and economic resilience across Highmark’s footprint.
"This art installation is a powerful testament to the positive impact our partnership with the Penguins Foundation has had on our city," said Kenya T. Boswell, senior vice president of community affairs at Highmark Health. "Through our Highmark Bright Blue Futures program, we are committed to building healthier, more vibrant communities by making sports and recreation accessible to everyone, and this artwork embodies that commitment in a beautiful and inspiring way."
Fans attending games throughout the season can learn more about the contributors to the artwork by scanning a QR code accompanying the display.
”Wicked Pittsburgh is honored to collaborate with Highmark and the Pittsburgh Penguins to create a custom commission celebrating the city’s diverse hockey community, benefitting local teams and showcasing accessible, free community sporting facilities like the Highmark Hunt Armory,” said Michael Schwarz, founder of Wicked Pittsburgh. “The donated hockey sticks and the incredible stories behind them truly gave this piece heart.”
This unique art piece serves as a reminder of the power of collaboration and the positive impact it can have on communities, bringing people together through the shared love of sports, health and well-being.
About Highmark Inc.
An independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, Highmark Inc., together with its Blue-branded affiliates, collectively comprise the fifth largest overall Blue Cross Blue Shield-affiliated organization in the country with approximately 7 million members in Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia and western and northeastern New York. Its diversified businesses serve group customer and individual needs across the United States through dental insurance and other related businesses. For more information, visit www.highmark.com.
For more information, contact
Emily Kostelnik
412-552-0402
emily.kostelnik@highmarkhealth.org
