When I began as a graduate student in at the University of Massachusetts- Dartmouth, one of my Professors said to me, “Ah, it’s good to have some Midwestern blood around here”.   Another student (from Wisconsin) jumped in, “Pittsburgh?  That’s not Midwest, that’s east coast!”.  Usually, when “Pittsburgh” and “coast” are used in the same sentence, it is in this context- I am leaving Pittsburgh to go to the coast.  On the other hand, I have yet to come across the Midwestern amber waves of grain blanketing Southwestern Pennsylvania. 

So, just where and who are we here in this hilly no mans land? Midwest, East Coast, Mid Atlantic?  As a working class, historically industrial city, we have an ethic and outlook similar to that of Cincinnati, St. Louis, Detroit, or Chicago.  However, a trip east down I-70 puts you in Baltimore or DC well before any of those cities.  Even driving into Pittsburgh is atypical.  Hidden in a valley of rivers, Pittsburgh surprises you out of the Ft. Pitt Tunnels, or unveils itself from the Parkway-East like a curtain lifting as the hills part.

Maybe we could consider our region “the bridge”, that seems appropriate enough.  We straddle the working class Midwest, and the forward thinking metropolitan east coast.  We like our football teams tough, and our new construction green, embracing tradition, but accepting change.  Here is a link to a good article describing how Pittsburgh should be a model for other rust belt cities like Cleveland.   

This dichotomy of past and future makes Pittsburgh an interesting case when it comes to the fine arts.  You will find fantastic collections from places such as the Carnegie Museum and the Frick.  Throw in a world-class orchestra, the Pittsburgh Symphony, There is a rich heritage in the arts, and the same time, Galleries such as the Mattress Factory show works by contemporary artists.  Anyone can take classes or workshops at places like the Society for Contemporary Craft in the Strip District.  Calls for artists provide a variety of possibilities.  For example, from www.changemakers.org The Pittsburgh Foundation, The Grable Foundation and Ashoka's Changemakers are looking for bold new ideas from artist(s) working with youth in the Pittsburgh area. They are looking for well-designed, sustainable public art that expresses the voices of youth. Winning ideas can receive up to $25,000 in funding to implement their "Art in Public" (deadline, May 20, 2009).

With all of this going on, one might think Pittsburgh would be swarming with artists.  As a matter of fact, the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh has over 450 artists listed.

Pittsburgh Artists are everywhere!  But please don’t be frightened.

Unlike some of the myths of artists, we do not work in a vacuum, and the hand of god does not divinely channel us.  We work very hard, often for very little.  We need to communicate with other artists and creative individuals, bouncing ideas back and forth to evolve (to see an online version of this: www.crafthaus.ning.com).  We need to be inspired.  That is why many artists congregate in cities, usually the more cosmopolitan ones, which can be tricky (as previously mentioned on the subject of income).  This is how the stories of artists living in warehouse studios come about.  I have known a few people who lived this lifestyle, but for the most part, artists find a cheap place to live, and renovate to have a nice living space.  Gentrification such as this occurs all the time.  It happened recently in the North Loop District in Minneapolis, Jamaica Plain in Boston in the 80’s, and of course Greenwich Village in New York in the 60’s.  Can it happen in Pittsburgh too?  Look no further than places like Lawrenceville, which in the past few years has become a haven for artists.  It even garnered the attention of the New York Times. 

My goal for this blog is to present the many facets of the of the Pittsburgh Arts scene.  I will provide reviews and recommendations, interviews with people who are contributing to the local arts scene, and links for readers like you to be aware, or possibly involved in the arts (whether you consider yourself an artist or not). I will share stories of local artists and entrepreneurs, and hope to offer ideas that might make you look at your surroundings differently.  In fact, you might walk past (or under) art every day.  Various websites list anywhere from 20-80 galleries and museums in the region, and that is just visual arts.  Combine that with music and theatre venues of all types and something is always happening. 

I look forward to sharing this information with you, and hearing your feedback so that we can find the inner groove of Pittsburgh.  

Brian Ferrell

www.brianferrelldesigns.com