40th Anniversary Mural
Step Into the Spotlight: The F.M. Kirby Center’s 40th Anniversary Mural
Celebrating 40 years of entertainment, community, and unforgettable moments.
The historic F.M. Kirby Center is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a vibrant new mural that invites visitors to become part of the experience.
Located on the backstage wall of the Kirby Center along Washington Street, the mural features the venue’s iconic marquee and a spotlight designed to put YOU center stage.
Created by artist Kyle Stratton, the mural commemorates four decades of performances, memories, and community connections while offering a new interactive photo opportunity for visitors.
“We are commemorating our fortieth anniversary with a mural on the backstage wall of our building on Washington Street. The hope is that everyone will stand right in the middle, with the spotlight on them and our beautiful marquee featured behind them,” said Joell Yarmel of the F.M. Kirby Center.
Your Moment in the Spotlight
Whether you’re attending a performance, exploring downtown Wilkes-Barre, or simply stopping by to admire the artwork, the mural offers a chance to step into the spotlight and create a memorable photo.
Stand in the center of the mural, strike a pose, and capture your own moment in front of the Kirby Center’s celebrated marquee.
The mural is more than a tribute to the past. It’s an invitation for the community to become part of the Kirby Center’s continuing story.
about the artist: kyle Stratton
Kyle Stratton is a Wilkes-Barre–based visual artist, curator, and arts professional whose work is rooted in the history, culture, and identity of Northeastern Pennsylvania. A graduate of Greater Nanticoke Area High School, he earned his BFA in Painting and Drawing from Tyler School of Art & Architecture at Temple University in 2022.
Stratton has exhibited with Vox Populi in Philadelphia, the Circle Centre for the Arts in Wilkes-Barre, AFA Gallery in Scranton, the Montgomery County Chorale and Orchestra, and 40 Below, a regional exhibition platform he co-founded and organizes to showcase emerging and mid-career artists from Northeastern Pennsylvania. His broader creative work includes murals for Abide Coffeehouse and scenic art for multiple local theaters, connecting his studio practice to public-facing, large-scale, and community-centered projects.
His public art experience includes being selected for America250PA’s Bells Across PA initiative, through which he created Valley and Surrounding, a painted Liberty Bell sculpture celebrating Luzerne County’s history, industry, and landmarks. He was also named Times Leader Best of the Best 2025 and 2026 Gold winner for Best Adult Artist. Through his exhibitions, curatorial work, murals, scenic painting, and public art, Stratton has developed a practice grounded in regional storytelling and a sustained commitment to Northeastern Pennsylvania’s creative landscape.
