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Andrew Carnegie looks like Thressia Byrnes-Kriebel's husband. And so do Henry Frick, Roberto Clemente and Mario Lemieux.

That's because the art teacher's husband was the sculptural base for the faces of 30 papier-mache and wood sculptures Byrnes-Kriebel is working on for First Night Pittsburgh, an annual alcohol-free New Year's Eve celebration of the arts in a variety of locations throughout the city.

Byrnes-Kriebel's efforts will try to include nearly every pupil in Avonworth Elementary School, as well as pupils from the Morningside, Mifflin and Montessori elementary schools in Pittsburgh Public Schools. The collaborative project will be the foundation for a larger joint effort. Teachers and students from Shaler Area intermediate and high schools also are helping with the effort, Byrnes-Kriebel said.

The goal of the project, "Transcend Pittsburgh," is for Byrnes-Kriebel and her pupils to create a miniature city of famous Pittsburghers.

The city will be finished by New Year's Eve, when it will be on display for all of Pittsburgh to see.

"I think that this is a long-term vision in that this year, it's starting in this school and will eventually include more and more schools," Byrnes-Kriebel said of the project that was underwritten by the Dominion Foundation. "It's the history of Pittsburgh, the growth of Pittsburgh and how the children can be a part of Pittsburgh. Art is the perfect vehicle to experience that."

If you go

What: First Night Pittsburgh When: 3 p.m. to midnight Dec. 31 Where: Various areas in Downtown Cost: $15 for adults and $5 for children 6 to 12. Children younger than 6 will be admitted free. Details: www.firstnightpgh.com or (412) 201-7380

The historic Pittsburghers will be situated in a mural mock-up of the city. The murals, like the sculptures, are done collaboratively with the pupils.

Jim Mesloh, executive director of the Dominion Foundation, said the grant funding "Transcend Pittsburgh" was awarded back in October.

"We made a contribution of $15,000 for that," he said.

Page McSorley, director of development for First Night, said there are numerous in-kind donations, as well, making a final total for the project incalculable until after the event.

McSorley said the project is part of an increased outreach effort by First Night.

Byrnes-Kriebel said she wanted to include some not-so-recognizable but influential people from Pittsburgh, as well, including jazz pianist Mary Lou Williams; radio pioneer Frank Conrad; Jonas Salk, creator of the polio vaccine; and author Willa Cather.

The students make all of the newspaper strips for the papier-mache and the plaster, Byrnes-Kriebel said.

"They do all the painting except for the eyes. I do the wood sculpting and the fine details," Byrnes-Kriebel said. "The goal is to have every child do at least one stroke of paint on the piece."

The project will have a three-year lifespan and ideally will reach as many as 5,000 children, Byrnes-Kriebel said.

After New Year's, the exhibit will be transported to the Sen. John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center and will be on display as part of its programming through the year.

Eric Templin, president of the Avonworth School Board, said he is excited about Byrnes-Kriebel's work.

"I think that she does an absolutely outstanding job and that it shows that we are a very fortunate school district with lots of evidence of excellence, and she's part of that," Templin said. "It's unbelievable. It's quite a testament, and she'll make us proud at (First Night)."

McSorley said a project on the scale of Byrnes-Kriebel's is exactly what First Night desired.

"The ambition of her endeavor, her art, is what First Night is looking for," McSorley said.

Byrnes-Kriebel, however, stressed that while she is orchestrating the project, it is the kids who should get the credit.

"I don't want people to forget that this is kids' work," she said. "I can fix them up and make them perfect, but it's the kids' work."

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