Pittsburgh Center for the Arts facts for kids
 |
|
 |
|
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| Former name | Pittsburgh Arts and Crafts Center |
|---|---|
| Established | 1945 |
| Location | Pittsburgh |
| Designated: | 1971 |
The Pittsburgh Center for the Arts (PCA) is a special place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It's a non-profit group that helps people learn about and enjoy art. They offer art classes and show amazing modern art.
The PCA also helps artists in Western Pennsylvania. It's a spot where everyone can create, see, and learn about visual arts. The center started in 1945. You can find it at 6300 Fifth Avenue. It's in the Shadyside neighborhood. Some maps say it's in Point Breeze.
A famous artist named Keith Haring had his very first art show here. That was in 1978. He later moved to New York City. Keith Haring became one of the most well-known artists of his time.
Contents
History of the Arts Center
How the Center Started
The PCA first opened its doors on March 17, 1945. It was called the "Arts and Craft Center" back then. Nearly 1000 people came to the opening night. The mayor, Cornelius D. Scully, was there. J. Bailey Ellis was named the chairman. Mrs. Charles D. Marshall gave the key to her home to the city. Her home became the center.
Ten different art groups joined the center when it began:
- Pittsburgh Drama League (started 1913)
- Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen (started 1944)
- Weavers Guild of Pittsburgh (started 1940)
- Society of Sculptors (started 1934)
- Pittsburgh Civic Ballet (started 1941)
- Abstract Artists Group of Pittsburgh
- Musician's Club of Pittsburgh (started 1913)
- Associated Artists of Pittsburgh (started 1910)
- Contemporary Dance Group
- Authors’ Club (started 1918)
The first event was a concert by the Musician's Club. It happened on March 25, 1945. Each of the ten groups had to hold five public events every year. The first Christmas Bazaar was in November 1946. Today, it's still a popular Holiday Sale.
The organization officially became a non-profit in July 1947. The first big meeting for all members was on January 12, 1948. New rules were read and accepted. The people on the board and the officers worked for free.
The center always wanted to make Pittsburgh a better place. They believed in education through art. Classes were first talked about in June 1947. A professor from the University of Pittsburgh asked to use the kitchen. He wanted to teach a jewelry class to 40 students.
The center also wanted to show off local art. In 1948, they held the first "Everyman's Art Show." It was for amateur artists from the area. The first "Artist of the Year" show was in January 1949. It honored painter Balcombe Greene.
In April 1954, the center started a TV show on WQED-TV. It was called You, the Artists. A sculptor named Everett Sturgeon hosted it. From 1981 to 1989, they had another show. It was called Lyceum and later Studio 13. Mary Rawson was the host. The center also shared news in newsletters. These included Musings, Quidnunc, and Art Lines.
Changes and Growth
Over time, the center grew very busy. Volunteers found it hard to manage everything. In the late 1960s, the center needed more help. Artist Danny Butts became the first full-time director. Jerrold Rouby, a businessman, took over in 1970. More paid jobs were added, like an education director. The number of classes and students grew a lot.
In 1975, Audrey Bethel became the director. She helped make many big changes. Famous artists from around the country visited the center. The board of directors was also reorganized. The center's name was changed. Cheryl Towers became director in 1981. She hired Sande Deitch, a ceramic artist, as exhibitions director. Deitch became the center's director in 1987. Murray Horne then became the exhibitions director.
Recent Times
The late 1990s were a challenging time. The center had big plans but also money problems. In February 2002, some staff members were laid off. This included the director and curator. The exhibitions department was closed. In August 2004, more staff were laid off. The center was in debt and had to close its doors for a short time.
The center gives special awards. These are "Artist of the Year" and "Emerging Artist of the Year." They also have "Biennial exhibitions" for local artists. Past winners include Delanie Jenkins and Clayton Merrill.
In September 2004, Charlie Humphrey became the temporary director. He worked for free. The center reopened after only a few weeks. They quickly paid artists what they were owed. They also fixed relationships with important foundations.
In January 2006, a big change happened. The Pittsburgh Center for the Arts joined with Pittsburgh Filmmakers. This made one larger organization.
Later, in Fall 2010, the combined group talked about joining with the Pittsburgh Glass Center. But by May 2011, these talks did not work out. The Pittsburgh Glass Center decided not to merge.
Buildings and Facilities
The Pittsburgh Center for the Arts has made many updates over the years. They worked on the Marshall building, where the art galleries are. They also improved the Scaife building, which holds the art school. The last major update to the Marshall building was in 1990. It reopened on March 24, 1990. The mayor, Sophie Masloff, was there.
The center has four buildings on its campus. Three of them are rented from the city for only $1.00 per year. These include two old mansions and a carriage house. The fourth building has new kilns for pottery.
Historic PCA Buildings
In the early 1900s, rich families in Pittsburgh built huge homes. Many were on Fifth Avenue. This area became known as “Millionaires Row.” Families like the Mellons and Fricks lived there.
In 1909, one of the grandest homes was built. It was the 65-room Richard Beatty Mellon House. It sat on 11 acres of land. This land is now part of Mellon Park. Richard Beatty Mellon and his wife Jennie King Mellon lived there. Jennie loved flowers. She had two very large flower gardens. These gardens still exist in Mellon Park today. Next to the mansion was a garage and carriage house. Servants lived on the second floor of the carriage house. This building was given to the city. It is now the Phipps Garden Center. The big 65-room mansion was taken down in 1941.
Another old mansion was built on the Mellon Estate in 1904. It was a Tudor revival style home. In 1927, it was given as a wedding gift to Richard Beatty's daughter, Sarah. She married Alan Magee Scaife. He was a director at Mellon National Bank. In February 1946, the Scaifes also gave their home to the city. This mansion is now the Scaife Building. It houses the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts School.
Next to the Mellon Estate was Charles D. Marshall's mansion. He was president of a big construction company. His mansion was finished in 1912. It was a grand building inspired by 17th-century style. In 1943, Charles Marshall also gave his house to the city. This house became the Arts and Crafts Center of Pittsburgh in 1945. In 1980, its name changed to the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts.
