Three Rivers Art Festival – For the Artist in You! | Art + Music = FREE!

Three Rivers Art Festival – For the Artist in You!  – Art + Music = FREE!

Hello, everyone!

I have always felt proud of the city where I live – Pittsburgh. From the city of pollution to the Best city to live, the transformation which the place underwent in these years is tremendous. The city now stands as a center of learning with world-class leading educational institutions, cultural district promoting various forms of arts with theatrical shows and art clubs and a city with leading healthcare providers and multispecialty hospitals. Three Rivers Art Festival, which happens every year marking the start of summer, is a testimony of the rich artistic culture of Burgh.

Three Rivers Art Festival:

The Three Rivers Art Festival, sponsored by Dollar Bank, is organized by Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. This 10 days art fest is a celebration of arts and artists, which happens in Downtown Pittsburgh, at three landmarks – confluence of Pittsburgh’s three rivers at Point State Park, artistic Cultural District, and picturesque Gateway Center. The festival begins on the first Friday in June and ends after 10 days.  The fest which displays world-class art in multi-disciplinary fields is free to attend and open to the public.

Founded in 1960, the festival is conducted every year to foster the economic development through arts and enhance the quality of life of artists. The fest is open from 12 pm to 8 pm every day.  The festival not only brings out the artistic display from all over the world but also cares for the Green environment. The festival has been designed with the principle – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle to reduce the impact on the environment. Did I mention that they do have Nursing stations to celebrate Motherhood?

Watch out for the categorized trash cans and zero waste stations!

What to look for?

There is something in the Artfest for every festival-goer visiting it. Be it a weather skeptic or an ardent fan of arts or fun loving kid or a music lover, art festival will never leave you disappointed.

Umbrella Sky Project

Look out for this colorful ceiling of umbrellas hanging upside down near the Acoustic Stage at Gateway Center. You never know when it rains in Pittsburgh and hence, everyone is advised to carry an umbrella with them. But this year, umbrella sky project provides a colorful shelter for such unpredicted Burgh weather.

Tidal

Are you interested in scientific facts? Then, I highly recommend visiting Tidal, Interactive Public Art installation by the artist, Shilo Shiv Suleman.  She says, “Under a giant dome filled with metal and fabric clouds and hundreds of LED lights, you’ll find a bowl of clear water that, when touched, gathers data from our own bodies to set off a series of LED lights. Our mighty three rivers will provide data to trigger other LEDs in the installation, adding to the storm-like effect.”

Creativity Zones Sponsored by Giant Eagle

For the young artists, there are numerous hands-on activities to nurture and explore the artist in them. Some of the well-known activities are laser engraving, 3D printing, painting, button-making and interactive storytelling.

Blue Lapis Aerial Dance

This is a spectacular aerial dance completely choreographed specifically for the Arts festival. This dance performance is free to attend and happens on the first two days of the Art festival near Gateway Center. Dancers dance on the skyscrapers and ignite a sense of wonder through their aerial balletic movements on the Highmark building.

Art/Craft Shops

Whether you love artistic jewelry or someone who collects art forms, shops at the Art Festival has diverse options to offer like handmade pottery by the local artists, modern arts, watercolor paintings, jute sculptures, coral jewelry, handcrafted clothes, picturesque photographs, pastel colored ceramics pottery and fine arts. Every booth brings out the creativity of the artists and brings a WOW factor to the viewers. And you know what, the art fest features 350+ independent artists who sell handmade arts.

Art Exhibitions

Take a stroll in the Cultural District and watch out for the Drap-art where artists’ paints on all kinds of garbage and junk found in downtown. Look out for the drawings by Nathan Doverspike who is known for his as “Pittsburgh Island”. Grab an official festival guide and stop by theaters in the cultural district to enjoy the shows by the talented arts and local pop singers. And don’t forget to collect a bio-degradable bag by Dollar Bank for your shopping needs.

Food Outlets

There are a wide variety of options available for every food lover – from food trucks to the shops selling hand-dipped ice creams or old style kettle corn, every foodie will find according to his desire to tickle his taste buds and relish the authentic taste. There are various booths selling lemonade to provide relief from the scorching sun.

Music

Are you a person who enjoys good music? Stop by stages at various locations – Acoustic Stage at Gateway Center or Main stage at point state park for good music to refresh your mind and soul.

Activities

• Caricature
• Face painting/Tattoo/Henna
• Activities at Market Square

What to do?

• Grab a festival guide and spot down your favorite shows/shops.
• Visit Umbrella Sky Project at the Gateway Center. You can take some cool selfies behind the colorful ceiling. Stop for music at the Acoustic stage.
• Visit the shops in the Gateway Center. Grab an eco-friendly bag for your shopping needs.
• Ensure to spend time in the Creativity Center to explore the inner artist of young ones.
• Experience the Tidal.
• Take a short walk in the Cultural District and enjoy your favorite plays.
• Grab your favorite food from the booths in Point State Park and enjoy food with good music in the grass fields. Or take a colorful seat in the field.
• Visit market square and let out the dancer in you. Yes, you can dance!!
• Bring out the inner child in you through various games in the market square.
• Soak yourself in the light music under the sky with your loved ones in the Point State Park.

The best way to enjoy the Art Festival is to walk around the city or rent a bike and ride through the streets.

Did I say that the fest ends on June 11? What are you waiting for? Visit the art fest to appreciate the local artists and invoke the creative side of yours.

If you visit Three Rivers Art Festival, do let me know your experience in comments, I would love to hear. If you like my space, do like and follow my profile at here –
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Yours Truly

Karthi