FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FARMINGTON, PA – A new public artwork honoring Fayette County, PA’s layered history is being created at Touchstone by the Falls, Touchstone Center for Crafts’ newly acquired location in Ohiopyle at 1 Sherman Street, the former Falls City Baptist Church. The public will have opportunities to learn about Pennsylvania’s Liberty Bell project and see Fayette County’s bell in progress during special events.
The piece is part of Bells Across PA, a statewide initiative organized by America250PA to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026. Artists across the commonwealth are transforming fiberglass bell sculptures into public artworks that reflect the character and history of each Pennsylvania county.
Led by local artist and Touchstone board member James Mochnsky, with contributions from four additional artists connected to the organization, the project uses the form of a sculptural bell to reflect the region’s deep historical roots and revolutionary spirit. The design centers on the theme From Revolution to Resilience and features a spiraling ribbon motif that traces the path of the Historic National Road, with key moments, places, and figures from the area’s past placed along its path in chronological order.
“The National Road was America’s first major infrastructure project, and this bell uses that road as a timeline,” Mochnsky said. “It’s about the people who moved through this region, shaped it, and left stories behind. I wanted it to be both educational and evocative—something that sparks curiosity.”
Historical research for the project was made possible through the support and resources of the Uniontown Library and the Fayette County Historical Society. Touchstone’s Executive Director Lindsay Ketterer Gates said the concept evolved as part of the organization’s broader commitment to community engagement and cultural storytelling.
“This project speaks to our mission of connecting people through craft,” Gates said. “James has created something that doesn’t just celebrate artistic skill—it honors the full range of histories that have shaped this place, from Indigenous leadership to the rise of industry.”
As Fayette County natives and sponsors of the bell, Blake and Vanessa Getz shared their pride in helping bring the project to life. “We see this project as more than a bell—it’s a lasting symbol of how art and history shape community pride,” they said. “We are honored to support an initiative that celebrates the county’s heritage while inspiring generations to come.”
The project is part of the Fayette County PA 250th celebration, which runs through July 4, 2026. On that date, the nation will mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. From May 30, 2025, through July 4, 2026, Fayette County is participating alongside communities across the country in recognizing the semiquincentennial milestone.
“Fayette County’s story is woven through every turn of the National Road, and this bell captures that journey with extraordinary creativity,” said Muriel Johnson-Nuttall, executive director of the Fayette Chamber of Commerce. “It reminds us that our community has always been a place of movement, resilience, and innovation—and it connects our local history to the larger story of America’s independence and growth.”
Touchstone invites the public to view the progress of the bell during community pop-up events in Ohiopyle. Visitors are encouraged to stop by Touchstone by the Falls at 1 Sherman Street, the former Falls City Baptist Church, on Sept. 27, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. during Ohiopyle’s Youghtoberfest. The public will also have another chance to view the bell’s progress on Saturday, Oct. 11, during the Ohiopyle Buckwheat Pancake Festival, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The date and time of the bell’s unveiling will be announced at a later date. Following its unveiling, the completed bell will be on permanent display at a location in Fayette County throughout 2026, with the site to be announced.
For more information about Touchstone Center for Crafts, please visit https://touchstonecrafts.org/, email info@touchstonecrafts.org, or call (724) 329-1370.
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About America250pa.org: The Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial (America250PA) was established by the legislature and Governor in 2018 to plan, encourage, develop and coordinate the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, Pennsylvania’s integral role in that event, and the impact of its people on the nation’s past, present, and future.
Touchstone Center for Crafts is a nationally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization with a mission of “advancing excellence in arts and craft by educating and encouraging individuals to develop technical skills, good design, and innovative artistic expression.” Touchstone offers immersive learning opportunities across various disciplines—blacksmithing, ceramics, metals/jewelry, glass, drawing/painting, and special topics. Through workshops, professional exhibitions, artist residencies, and studio internships, traditional techniques are preserved while advancing craft into the 21st century. Nationally recognized instructors are engaged to impart their knowledge, attracting participants from around the world to learn alongside masters in their field. Most programs take place on a 230-acre woodland campus in Farmington, Pennsylvania, nestled in the scenic Laurel Highlands, with additional programming now expanding into Ohiopyle through Touchstone by the Falls—a new space designed to increase access and creative engagement within the region.