Pittsburgh鈥檚 signature arts festival returns to a new home
The Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival is back, transforming downtown Pittsburgh into an outdoor gallery filled with artists, eye-catching creations and plenty of temptation for visitors who suddenly realize they need more money, more wall space, or perhaps both.
It starts Friday at the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s new Arts Landing, and continues on Saturday and Sunday. It will pick up again on June 11 and wrap up June 14.
“We’re finally bringing it to its permanent home at our civic space, so it’s a very exciting time for us,” said Brooke Horejsi, chief programming and engagement officer with the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.
Founded in 1960 by the Women’s Committee of the Carnegie Museum of Art, the free festival has been produced by the Cultural Trust since 2009.
Choosing the music
As it has done over its life, the festival caters to a wide range of musical tastes. This year’s national headliners span genres from alt-rock and hip-hop to Americana, jazz and folk-pop. Notable artists booked at previous festivals have included Ella Fitzgerald, Smokey Robinson, Norah Jones, Kris Kristofferson, and Lucinda Williams.
“We get hundreds of submissions from national and regional performers and evaluate each and every one,” said Horejsi, adding that musicians perform from noon until closing each day.
Creativity abounds
As anyone who has attended knows, creativity is key to landing a coveted slot at the juried show.
“There’s a rigorous set of criteria for being accepted,” said Horejsi.
This year organizers reviewed approximately 500 submissions before selecting 350 artists.
According to Horejsi, about 62% of the artists are from the region. “The other 38% come from across the country and we even have one international artist from Hungary,” she said.
Art trends that Horejsi is seeing lately are nostalgia-based works, printmaking and metal art. “Digital art has grown tremendously, as has eco-conscious art,” Horejsi explained.
Notable visual artists who have shown their work in the past include Keith Haring, Otto Piene, Louise Nevelson and Nam June Paik.
A festival veteran
This year marks photographer J.P. Diroll’s 15th appearance at the festival.
The self-taught artist turned to photography after a difficult breakup in college. Rather than channeling his energy into unhealthy habits, he picked up a camera.
“At that time there was an early photo-sharing site called PBase and I started getting positive feedback on my work there,” he said.
Encouraged by the response, he began printing his images on metal.
“I use aluminum with a glossy white base coat and when the image is on there, it takes on a different life-a three-dimensional quality that almost appears lit from behind. People loved it,” he said.
Today his best-selling pieces include Pittsburgh skyline scenes and Pittsburgh Steelers-themed artwork. He also sells functional gifts like coasters.
Diroll said he enjoys returning every year due to the camaraderie and the relationships he’s built.
“The Cultural Trust is great to work with, the volunteers are absolutely wonderful and some of my closest friendships are artists I met at the show,” he said.
Helping local businesses
Another positive aspect of the festival is that people travel from miles around to visit nearby restaurants, hotels and shops.
“A festival of this size takes a lot of work and we start planning the next one almost immediately after the current one ends,” said Horejsi.
She notes that the rewards are substantial, from giving artists a platform to showcase their work to supporting local businesses.
“Our free festivals make a significant impact,” she said. “According to a study, they generate a $175 million economic impact, while improving the quality of life for the people of the region.”
What she hopes people will take away from the festival is a new feeling of wonder.
“Getting away from the algorithmic bubble and discovering something new whether it be an artist, or a genre of music, there’s something unique and valuable about it,” she said. “Sitting with your neighbors and enjoying it together. There’s just something magical about that.”
More information on the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival can be found at traf.trustarts.org.