Bakery Square | Public Art

July 1, 2025

By Jenna Boyles, installed June 2025 - June 2026

Bakery Square’s latest public art installation brings vibrant energy, and a little trash talk, to the plaza with a thought-provoking work by Pittsburgh-based artist and educator Jenna Boyles. Known for transforming discarded materials into whimsical, futuristic forms, Boyles' installation explores what it means to live in a world overflowing with waste, and how creativity can lead us toward a more sustainable future.

About the Installation

Built from repurposed materials like aluminum cans, broken electronics, and found objects, this year’s artwork shines a spotlight on what we throw away and why. Boyles weaves together sculptural forms and interactive elements that ask viewers to reconsider the life cycle of everyday items.

Bright, playful, and layered with meaning, the installation challenges passersby to pause, observe, and reimagine the world around them.

From the Artist:

“I’m fascinated by how individuals and communities process, share, and experience the material they encounter daily. I joyfully defy landfills by sourcing free material and recycling previous artworks into new forms. By slowing down and learning from one another, I believe we can reimagine how we interact with both technology and trash.”

Boyles' installation aims to spark a conversation. Through her work, she encourages us to think critically about consumption, sustainability, and the stories our garbage tells about us. In a world increasingly dominated by tech and convenience, her art invites a more thoughtful, circular approach to creativity and community.

More About Jenna Boyles:

Jenna Boyles is a multi-disciplinary artist from southwestern Pennsylvania. She holds an MFA in Art and Technology Studies from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and a BFA in Painting from the Maryland Institute College of Art. Her work has been exhibited across the country in cities like Chicago, Baltimore, Omaha, and Miami.

Currently, Boyles serves as the Digital and Physical Computing Technician at Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Art and teaches as an Adjunct Professor. Outside the classroom, she’s also involved in the local creative and roller derby scenes, serving on the board of the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards of Southwestern Pennsylvania, and playing for the Steel Beamers in Steel City Roller Derby.