Randyland facts for kids
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| Established | 1995 |
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| Location | 1501 Arch Street Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15212 |
| Visitors | 200,000+ (2019) |
| Founder | Randy Gilson |
| Nearest parking | Street |
Randyland is a unique art museum located in the North Side area of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Many people consider it one of America's most colorful and famous places for public art. The museum was started by Randy Gilson. It shows off art made from everyday items that people found and reused. This is often called "found object art."
Randyland has helped make Pittsburgh's cultural scene more lively, along with nearby places like City of Asylum and the Mattress Factory. Randyland has become famous worldwide, especially through popular online lists and on social media. It is one of the most photographed spots on Instagram.
Contents
The Story of Randyland
Randy Gilson's Journey
Randy Gilson was born in Homestead, Pennsylvania. When he was younger, he faced tough times, including being homeless and poor. In 1982, he moved to Pittsburgh's Northside. There, he became a community activist, working to improve the area. He planted over 800 street gardens and 50 vegetable gardens. He used a method called "guerrilla gardening" to plant flowers and vegetables in empty lots. These lots were in neighborhoods like Manchester and the Mexican War Streets.
Creating the Museum
In 1995, Randy bought the property that would become Randyland. He used a credit card to buy it for $10,000. Randy uses a method called "upcycling" to decorate his home. This means he takes old items and turns them into something new and artistic. He uses things like old mannequins, plastic dinosaurs, and pink flamingos. The fences around his property are covered with colorful murals. These murals show neighbors dancing and smiling.
Growing Popularity
Between 2016 and 2019, the area around Randyland became much busier. The number of visitors to Randyland reportedly doubled. Because of this, the main courtyard was changed to handle more people. Randyland also became known as a great place for taking photos. It offers a bright and lively background for "selfie museum" style pictures.
A Special Award
In 2019, Randyland received the Mayor's Award for Public Art. This award recognized the museum's important contribution to the city's art scene.
Randyland During the Pandemic
When the COVID-19 pandemic happened, many museums had to close. But because Randyland is mostly outdoors, it was one of the few art museums in Pennsylvania that could stay open. Randy Gilson, who had retired from his restaurant job, came back to work at Randyland. The courtyard was changed into a socially distanced play area during the quarantine. Some of the original murals were painted over with new designs.
As of 2022, Randyland continues to be a popular place for tourists. It remains a free attraction for everyone to enjoy.
Exhibits and Art
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The Courtyard of Randyland
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Outside Celebration Mural
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Randyland Welcome Wall
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Randyland Mirror Wall
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Outdoor Living Room
Randyland is filled with bright colors and interesting art everywhere you look. The exhibits are not in traditional museum rooms. Instead, they are part of the entire property. You can see art on the walls, fences, and even in the garden areas.
Unique Art Displays
- The Courtyard: This is a central area filled with many different art pieces. It's a great spot for visitors to explore and take photos.
- Outside Celebration Mural: The fences around Randyland are covered with colorful murals. These murals often show happy scenes and people.
- Welcome Wall: This wall greets visitors with bright colors and unique designs. It sets the tone for the creative experience inside.
- Mirror Wall: This exhibit uses mirrors to create interesting reflections and patterns. It makes the space feel bigger and more playful.
- Outdoor Living Room: This display looks like a living room set up outside. It includes furniture, old phones, and even an old TV set, all decorated in Randyland's unique style.
Awards
- Mayor's Award for Public Art 2019
