‘HIRAYA’ MURALS AT THE O’REILLY THEATER, DOWNTOWN | PHOTOS COURTESY PITTSBURGH PUBLIC THEATER

Downtown’s O’Reilly Theater recently unveiled “Hiraya,” a set of temporary murals commissioned by Filipino multimedia artist Eliseo Art Silva. Silva is responsible for the mural on the ceiling of the Philippine Nationality Room in the Cathedral of Learning, as well as dozens of murals across the country from Los Angeles to Philadelphia. 

Silva’s mural coincides with “Dragon Lady,” currently on stage at the O’Reilly Theater. Written by Sara Porkalob and directed by Andrew Russell, the play stars Porkalob and touches on themes of Filipino identity and family. 

“Hiraya” contains two murals depicting four lola (grandmother) storytellers as well as many other historic elements and objects important to Filipino culture such as the Manunggul Jar, a burial jar uncovered in 1964 that dates back to 800 BC. The jar is considered a Filipino national treasure and an important pre-colonial artwork.  

“We are always seeking ways to bring people closer to the art we have on stage,” says Shaunda McDill, managing director for Pittsburgh Public Theater. “We want people to have a chance to build conversations around our work and see this as just one way to highlight artistic excellence and community relevance.”

McDill says theatergoers enjoyed engaging with “Hiraya” before the performance of the one-woman show. The murals can be seen at the entrance to the O’Reilly Theater on Penn Avenue. 

“Hiraya” will be on display until Feb. 26 and “Dragon Lady” will be on stage at the O’Reilly until Feb. 25.