Manus Sunoco Mural Dedication

A celebration of new public art, artists of color, and the life and legacy of Luther Manus Jr. We invite the community to celebrate Luther Manus and see the mural created by artists Antonio Howard and Ceasar Westbrook that honors Luther's life and legacy. Sunday, September 20 at 5pm - 7pm 26 E 12th St, Erie, PA 16501 *Social distancing and masks required About: The public art project started in mid-August. Artists Ceasar Westbrook and Antonio Howard collaborated to design and paint a mural that honors Luther Manus Jr., who turns 93 later this year. In 2019, Caesar worked as a paid assistant for the mural created at Dobbin's Landing by international artist SatOne. That same year, he also won first place in CelebrateErie's annual chalk walk initiative. Caesar works full-time as an art teacher at McKinley Elementary School. Antonio was one of Erie Arts & Culture's 2019 Emerging Artist Fellows. He was also commissioned to create the artwork for 2020's Erie Blues and Jazz Festival. This year, Antonio was working with Mercyhurst University's Hafenmaier College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences to develop a writing workshop for individuals incarcerated at the State Corrections Institution of Albion. This program has been temporarily postponed as a result of the public health pandemic. Antonio works full-time as a paralegal for the Federal Public Defender in the Western District of Pennsylvania. About Luther Manus Jr.: Luther R. Manus Jr. was born in Erie, Pennsylvania in 1927. Luther dropped out of high school in 1943 and worked a stream of various jobs until 1946, when he was drafted into the United States Army. After basic training, Luther served in Hawaii, the Philippine Islands, and Japan until 1949. After completing his tour of service, Luther returned to Erie, where he completed a GED program. Luther served with the active US Army as a First Lieutenant and is Gannon's oldest living Afro-American ROTC graduate. Luther is the first and only member of his immediate family (siblings) with a high school and college degrees. Luther went on to serve during the Vietnam War. His service earned him a Bronze Star Medal. Luther retired from the US Army after a total of 24 years of military service. Luther started a new career by working for the Erie School District, starting in 1971. For 18 years, Luther worked as a counselor. He retired in 1989. During these years, Luther also served the community in a variety of Board and Committee positions, including sitting on Mayor Louis J. Tullio's Blue Ribbon Committee and the Erie Housing Authority's Board of Incorporators. It was during his tenure as a Board member that the authority erected Friendship Towers located at the intersection of E 11th and French Street. His daughters Denise and Stephanie Manus and Luther formed Manus Enterprise which owns and operates Manus Sunoco Mini Mart located at 26 East 12th Street, between State and French. Manus Sunoco has served Erie's urban core for nearly 30 years. Manus Mini Mart is Sunoco's only minority female-owned and veteran supported service station and convenience store located north of Interstate 80. Luther is married to Connie Manus. Together they have six children, Denise, Stephanie, Carlton, and Cynthia all of Erie. Dr. Sandi Manus Fields, Summerfield, N.C. and Alicia Jean-Noel of Brooklyn, New York. Luther and Connie's commitment to serving others has been passed down to all of their children. The Manus family is passionate about assisting families and individuals with obtaining financial support to pursue post-secondary education. "God has blessed me with nearly 93 years of life and I am immensely grateful to have two local black artists recreate my life on a mural at Manus Sunoco. What a wonderful birthday tribute," said Luther Manus, Jr. "Having my daughter, Alicia Boone Jean-Noel, serve as the Art Educator at the Brooklyn Museum for over 10 years introduced me to the importance of art in my life. I really appreciate the arts and the talents of local black artists. I reached out to Erie Arts & Culture after I noticed the outstanding mural on Methodist Towards. I was so impressed with the artist's work. I started having conversations with Patrick Fisher, Erie Arts & Culture's Executive Director, expressing my desire to create a mural that celebrates my husband's achievements and dedication to the Erie community," said Connie Manus. This project is funded in part by Erie Insurance and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development through the Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP). Additional in-kind support is provided by Sherwin-Williams Commercial Paint Store, Erie Downtown Partnership, and the Erie Parking Authority.