Volunteer Wheeling “Heart Bombs” The Friendly City for Valentine’s Day
WHEELING, W.Va. – Jan. 26, 2022– Volunteer Wheeling and Wheeling Heritage are calling on the community to be a part of a “heart bombing” public art exhibit in Downtown Wheeling. The goal of heart bombing is to bring attention to buildings in Wheeling that have the potential to be restored and put back into use.
The concept of heart bombing began as a grassroots campaign organized by the Buffalo Young Preservationists in 2012. The goal was to draw attention to Buffalo’s vacant buildings and showcase them as community assets rather than eyesores. Their idea sparked several other preservation-focused groups to host their own heart bombing events – including Wheeling! The Wheeling Young Preservationists hosted successful heart bombing displays in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2018.
This year, Volunteer Wheeling is organizing a heart bombing throughout Downtown Wheeling – and invite anyone who is willing to help to join them. Volunteers will make hearts, signs and other decorations on Wednesday, Feb. 2 from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. at the Wheeling Heritage office, 1400 Main Street. Materials and light refreshments will be provided, so volunteers just need to show up with their creativity.
On Saturday, Feb. 5, volunteers will meet at the Wheeling Artisan Center at 11 a.m. where the buildings will be revealed before heading out to decorate them. The festive decorations will remain on display though February 20.
“Heart bombing is like sending a love letter to our city’s historic buildings,” explains Alex Panas, Communications Manager at Wheeling Heritage. “We have selected more than 10 buildings that are vacant, available, or in the process of being restored that we think deserve some extra attention. It’s easy to pass by these places without thinking much about how they contribute to the cultural fabric of the city – this heart bombing display is a visible declaration from the community that says we care about the future of these buildings and want to see them preserved.”
To learn more about how you can get involved in Volunteer Wheeling’s Heart Bombing project, visit wheelingheritage.org/news-events
About Wheeling Heritage: Wheeling Heritage is a catalyst for the revitalization of Wheeling. Through historic preservation, community development, and the arts, we help to tell Wheeling’s story and shape its future. We seek to improve the quality of life in Wheeling by preserving and investing in our city, collaborating with others, and engaging the citizens of Wheeling in our work.
