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This image, designed in part by Pittsburgh writer and artist janet jai, graces a billboard on Bigelow Boulevard, the use of which she won in a charity auction. The billboard — she wrote the copy and developed its creative concept, then guided the billboard designer in creating the final product — will be up through Nov. 7.
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A billboard on Bigelow encourages us to plant trees this season

janet jai

A billboard on Bigelow encourages us to plant trees this season

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If you’re driving toward Downtown Pittsburgh on Bigelow Boulevard, look — on a slope between the Bloomfield Bridge and Herron Avenue — for a billboard encouraging people to plant trees. 

The use of the billboard was won at a charity auction (benefiting Sojourner House that serves addicted mothers and their children) by Pittsburgh writer and artist janet jai.

“Save the planet, plant a tree,” it reads. “Autumn is a perfect time to plant a tree.” Hence the golden leaves on the oak being lifted by two pairs of hands -— one Black and one white. 

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Ms. jai, of Highland Park — who spells her name with lowercase letters and runs a communications company called Vision and Values — created the concept and wrote the copy, then worked with a billboard designer to bring it to life. 

Hayes Design Group offered 10 employees for its Adopt-a-Landmark program at Allegheny Land Trust's Walker-Ewing Log House in Oakdale. From left, back row, Caitlin Seiler (director of stewardship and volunteers at Allegheny Land Trust), Matt Dawson, Rob Rensi, Randy Hunter, Mike Smith and Trent Krysziak. From left, front row: Guido Girimonti (land manager at Allegheny Land Trust), Mark Duane, Kayla Barko, Kevin Hayes and Kristy Costanzo.
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It’s set to remain up through Nov. 7. 

“Planting a tree is a great outdoor family activity,” and one that can offset climate change, she notes. “If you can’t plant a tree yourself, I encourage you to support a tree-planting nonprofit like Tree Pittsburgh locally or the Arbor Day Foundation nationally.”

Ms. jai says she’s gotten a lot of positive feedback since the billboard debuted on Oct. 11. As one friend put it, “This is beautiful!”

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Bob Batz Jr.: bbatz@post-gazette.com, 412-263-1930 and on Twitter @bobbatzjr.

First Published: October 31, 2021, 11:00 a.m.

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This image, designed in part by Pittsburgh writer and artist janet jai, graces a billboard on Bigelow Boulevard, the use of which she won in a charity auction. The billboard — she wrote the copy and developed its creative concept, then guided the billboard designer in creating the final product — will be up through Nov. 7.  (janet jai)
Pittsburgh writer and artist janet jai.  (Courtesy of janet jai)
janet jai
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