Athey Family Master of the Arts Diane Deery P'21 '23 is committed to sharing her love of art beyond The Hill School's campus and with the greater Pottstown community. When she saw the beautifully painted colorful utility boxes popping up around the community, she knew she wanted to be a part of it. In connection with Pottstown Parks and Recreation and Art Fusion, Deery submitted designs to be considered for the "Box Art Project" and was thrilled when two were approved. 

"I loved working outdoors and meeting so many supportive and appreciative people," Deery remarked about her experience. "It was a joy to contribute to the creative energy and community spirit that Pottstown is fostering."

Her first design, a colorful dragonfly, now brightens a utility box located at the intersection of Wilson and State Streets. "In many cultures, dragonflies symbolize change, transformation, and adaptability—qualities that reflect the spirit of Pottstown," said Deery. "They also represent wisdom and are seen as messengers of good luck, joy, and prosperity."

Most recently, she painted a mural on a utility box at the intersection of South Hanover Street and River Road, just over the Schuylkill River in North Coventry Township. She was inspired by her time spent near the Schuylkill River as a child and chose river stones as the theme for her artwork. "I remember spending hours searching for the perfect skipping stones," Deery recalled. "As an artist, I incorporated meditative drawings on the stones, hoping to invite viewers to move slowly from one to the next, encouraging a moment of reflection and calm in their day."

Box Art Project: The Pottstown Public Arts Project invites artists to apply for a public art project in which artists create public art on utility boxes located in the Borough of Pottstown, PA. The goal of the project is to use all four sides of the utility boxes to display art that will enhance Pottstown’s visual surroundings. Read more.