Despite the new four-acre Arts Landing space having held its soft opening several weeks ago during the NFL draft, there were plenty of new developments and fresh life lending vibrancy to the Cultural District green space and entertainment area during its official christening on Friday.
Following nearly two years of planning and work by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust on the $31 million project, Arts Landing’s grand opening traded the pomp and circumstance heard ahead of the Draft for the good vibes generated by sunny manicured greens and landscapes, kids kicking soccer balls and bands getting in funky sound check time as the first day of the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival got underway.
“We’ve been seeing thousands of folks per day, which is kind of a proof point for exactly what we were trying to do here,” said Derek Scalzott, the Trust’s senior director of strategic communications. “Arts-driven Downtown revitalization is the name of the game and we’re thrilled about the progress so far.”
With the Three Rivers Arts Festival now in its permanent home — and expecting “tens of thousands” over seven days across two weekends according to Pittsburgh Cultural Trust President and CEO Kendra Whitlock — dozens of tents for the festival began to spring to life with artists selling wares along the four-acre space.
“This transformational new civic space really builds on the Cultural Trust’s impact by creating a place Downtown where people can stay, gather and they can stay longer and return more often,” said Pittsburgh Cultural Trust CEO Kendra Whitlock.
Newly operational features that weren’t available for the NFL Draft include the BNY Visitors Center, complete with a security office monitoring 65 cameras around the area, water refill stations and public restrooms.
Still to come are three pickleball courts (“one to two” of which Scalzott says will be painted by a muralist) and an accompanying walking track that will sit on a half-acre courtyard on the Allegheny River. Those features, he said, are expected to be completed by mid-July.
After the festival, Scalzott indicated the Giant Eagle Foundation Backyard will be outfitted with furniture and overhead lighting as well as a small concession stand and mobile to create a space where visitors can hang out or work on the space’s free Wi-Fi.
“It’s actually been pretty emotional for a lot of us to see that fast and furious work we did over the past 22 months to get this open really take shape,” said Brooke Horejsi, chief programming and engagement officer with the Trust. “We see kids from CAPA (school) come out. Not only are they out here for recreation, but they’re out here for their classes, they’re doing play analysis and talking about their curriculum.
“We see people in the morning walking their dogs, drinking their coffee. We see lots of people working out here. There’s free Wi-Fi throughout the park, so coming out in the middle of their work day, taking meetings, doing work on their computer, all of that contributes to the quality of life here in Pittsburgh.”
On Friday, Joan and Bill Huber of Moon were walking the expansive lawn for the first time, in anticipation of seeing their son play with the Eagleburger Band that afternoon.
“We are just amazed at the beauty of it. Certainly, we will come back,” said Joan Huber. “It’s such a good thing for Pittsburgh to have something like this. I’m very proud of our city. And hopefully it will bring more people down into town.”
Enjoying the afternoon alongside them were Pittsburgh CAPA 6-12 assistant principal and gym teacher Jeremy Askin, who watched on as a group of kids from the nearby magnet school kicked a soccer ball around with the festival beginning to bloom.
“The first time I came out here, it was like the best place ever,” said 13-year-old Joaquin Burke. “Everybody comes over here and they have such a good time after school. It’s just somewhere to chill after school.”
“It’s a really good way to just come here and make friends and meet people,” said 12-year-old Brooklyn Dick. “And it’s just a really good bonding experience.”
Askin was grateful for the space.
“We’re located in Downtown Pittsburgh, which is a beautiful city, but we have not had the opportunity to have a green space like this,” he said, relaying that students utilize the space. “We do a bridge loop before we come here just to get our steps in. That way, if kids relax after getting all those steps in, sit down at the park, or go hang out on the playground, I don’t mind.”
The early reviews from artists flying in to the landing for the festival from places like North Carolina and Maryland were positive.
“It’s just beautiful,” said North Carolina pastel painter and longtime Three Rivers Arts Festival participant Richard Wilson. “The surroundings are beautiful, it’s dedicated to the arts, we’re surrounded by these restaurants, and it’s right here in the middle of town. This is awesome. It’s perfect.”
Another longtime vendor, jewelry maker Mary DeMarco of Baltimore, laid out her love of the Arts Landing vibes.
“It’s like we’re among a garden, and for me, my jewelry is extremely botanical and garden-inspired,” she said. “So, being in the garden with garden jewelry, what could be better?”