The Last Billboard


The Last Billboard is a public art billboard in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The art piece consists of a 12-feet-by-36-feet steel frame billboard on which letters can be arranged. Each month, artists are solicited to place a message on the billboard. It is curated by Jon Rubin. The billboard is located at the intersection of Highland Avenue and Baum Boulevard in the East Liberty neighborhood, above what was originally the building for, a restaurant that was also conceptualized by Jon Rubin.

Schedule of guest artists

2013

2014

2015

MonthsArtistMessage
January - MarchKim Becktoday only / last chance! final day! / nothing held back / closing forever!
AprilSarah Keelingford & daughter / used tires / 704-370-3793
MayPablo Helgueraanulala a la luna
JuneMilena Bonillathe whole town's sleeping
JulyPaul Ramirez Jonasa i a / sky you sea / cloud crowd brook / hilltop company rivulet / highpoint multitude tributary
AugustTaylor Shieldsspry texts keep ducking up / ducking / duck / duck / nevermind
OctoberJonn Herschendclose your eyes / and imagine that / i'm dancing so crazy fast

2016

MonthsArtistMessage
FebruaryJim Christensenanything / but / this
AprilLenka Claytontragically, / the world's oldest person / keeps dying.
JuneJohn Riegertjust saw a hipster with / big headphones on top of / a knit cap, wearing a coat / i had worn for 20 years / and gave to goodwill.
JulyDavid Horvitzrachel carson / is my hero
OctoberMicah Lexiera. f. k. / b. g. / c. h. / d. i. / e. j.
AugustNeil Farber and Michael Dumontieryou don't have to / open every door. / a door labelled hell, / for instance.

2017

MonthsArtistMessage
MarchJon Rubina man whose daily work / is rewriting history / tries to rebel / by falling in love
MayEric Gottesmando not react to this.
JuneJoseph Del Pescoyou don't need a weatherman to tell which way the wind blows
JulyTamara Shopsina tow truck / pulling / an ambulance
SeptemberBrett Yasko. /. /.. /. /.. /. /. /.
NovemberLaure Prouvostideally everything / will turn quiet / now

2018

MonthsArtistMessage
MarchAlisha Wormsleythere / are / black people / in the / future

Controversy

In March 2018, The Last Billboard's landlord, We Do Property, in response to complaints from community members who felt the sign was racist, removed Alisha Wormsley's text from the billboard. Jon Rubin, the billboard's founder and creator, responded in a statement in response to the removal:
A public panel discussion about the text and its removal is expected to be hosted by the Kelly Strayhorn Theater in April or May 2018.

Early billboard messages

From mid-2009 to late 2012, while Waffle Shop was still operating, the billboard included content proposed and submitted by artists and regular people. Unlike the version of the billboard from 2013 onward, this early version switched out messages several times a month. Below is an in-depth, but not comprehensive, list of those messages.

2009

2010

2011

2012