Contemporary Craft

We're excited to welcome Shimul Chowdury, one of our new Regional Artists-in-Residence!

Shimul Chowdhury (she/they) is a multidisciplinary artist, Assistant Professor of Immersive Media at Chatham University, and Art Director for MIPSTERZ, a Muslim arts and culture collective. She received an MFA in Digital Arts and New Media from the University of California, Santa Cruz and a BFA in Art + Technology from the University of Florida. Shimul designs and curates craft and new media-based participatory works that facilitate dialogue and collaboration with community members, largely other Muslims in the United States. Her recent work centers cross-cultural storytelling methods in fiber and textile art practices as well as interactive and immersive multimedia installations. Shimul lives in Pittsburgh, PA with her two cats, Billie and Bamboo.

Shimul begins her residency today and will be in residence through December. Be sure to say hi if you see her around the Studios!

As the darker, crisper months set in, the Store is cooking up some craft intrigue: October Mystery Boxes!

Available in-store and online starting next Thursday, October 8, these mysterious boxes hold untold secrets in the form of enchanting artist-made goods.

Each box will contain a secret combination of jewelry, ceramics, textiles, and more, and will be set at designated price points below their retail value.

So get ready to take a chance on craft and discover handcrafted items you didn't know you needed! Pick up one of the Store's mystery boxes to indulge in a surprise for yourself or to give someone special a surprising gift of craft!

The Store is open Monday – Saturday from 10 AM – 5 PM, with extra shopping hours until 7 PM every Thursday. Be sure to stop by to see what's in Store, or shop online at the link in our bio.

Whether you dream of making a sweater from scratch, owning your own flock of sheep, or joining your local reenactor's guild—learning to spin yarn opens up endless possibilities!

In this Spinning 1 Series, Instructor Jasmine (Min) Davis () will teach students how to use a drop spindle and a spinning wheel to create their own yarn for knitting, crocheting, weaving, or gifting. Over this six-week introductory course, students will learn about common tools and techniques for spinning yarn and come away with two or more finished skeins spun by their very own hands.

This course will equip all participants with the foundational skills to continue building their spinning practice to help make all of their fiber dreams come true! Join us!

Learn more + register at the 'workshops' link in our bio.

Textures of Being kicked off last Friday with a lively opening reception full of conversation and reflection. We're especially grateful that so many of the exhibiting artists were able to be with us to celebrate the exhibition, share the thoughts behind their work, and connect with one another.

Much gratitude to Fran Flaherty () for serving as co-juror with Director of Visual Engagement, Yu-San Cheng () and for being a partner throughout this exhibition!

Textures of Being is on view in our Main Gallery through January 16. Our galleries are open Monday – Saturday and admission is always free.

You can learn more about upcoming exhibition programing at the link in our bio.

Exhibiting artists:
Ange Altenhofen (), Melissa Athey (), Sookyung Augustin (asookyungdesigns), Patrick Bell (), Chelsea Clarke (), ​​Erin S. Daily (), Lohitha Kethu (.ke), Selena [Len] Loomis (), Bhavna Mehta (), Dominic Quagliozzi (), Sierra Schweitzer (), Lydia Wickham (.cha0s), Jennifer Rose Wolken (), and Sandie Chun-Shan Yi ()

Join us on Monday of next week, to volunteer at a regional site that is dedicated to artistry and placemaking!

Monday, October 5 from 12:00 - 2:00 PM
1934 Harper St, McKeesport, PA

Floodplain Studios is an 8-acre stretch of wild land that sits between the Youghiogheny River and the GAP trail. “Adopted” by Faye Miller in August of 2024 with the goal of making a space that creates and encourages opportunities for art making with natural materials. This is done alongside the larger mission of restoring a once blighted space back to an ecologically sound one.

Volunteers will be removing invasive grasses, picking up trash along the trail and creek, planting some native trees and shrubs, and creating pathway borders of stone and tree branches.

Arrive by 11:45 AM, volunteering will begin at Noon. Please be sure to dress appropriately.

As we think about some of our prior exhibitions, such as Climate Awakening, we believe it’s important to continue to engage with our community. We hope that you’ll join us in the work of supporting this regional project.

Please register if you plan to participate:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2002559212512?aff=oddtdtcreator

Here's a look at what's up next week in the Studios!

From spinning to blacksmithing, paper making to metal clay, there's always something new to try in our Studios.

Join us! Learn more and register for any of our upcoming workshops at the link in our bio.

Congratulations to our friends at the Stanton Heights Neighborhood Association on the installation of the community mosaic on the new steps between Stanton Avenue and McCandless Street!

We were so happy to help support this project, housing in-progress panels and working with community groups like Lawrenceville United's AdvantAGE program to help complete the mosaics!

We're so excited to see this amazing artwork in the neighborhood!

Mosaic design in collaboration with artists Elizabeth Klevens and Stevo.
Photo of stairs courtesy of Stevo Sadvary.

Join us and Textures of Being exhibiting artists for a free artist-led gallery tour! Come and learn about the thoughts and processes behind each artists' work.

An ASL interpreter, braille transcription, audio guide, and a sensory decompression room will be available.

Image Description: White text on a pink background that reads "Artist-Led Gallery Tour Today! September 26, 11:00 AM" and white"Textures of Being" title graphic overlaid on an image of pieces of light yellow glass, shaped like pills, arranged in a crystal-like pattern emerging from a purple background. This image is a close-up of Melissa Athey's artwork, entitled “Geodesic[k] 5.”

We'll see you tonight for the opening of Textures of Being!

Textures of Being brings together 14 artists whose practices honor the body—its sensitivities and its wisdom—as a site of deep creative knowledge. Rooted in materiality and lived experience, this exhibition reimagines disability as a form of freedom and a distinct intimate lens through which the world is encountered, shaped, and perceived.

Please join us and the exhibiting artists to celebrate at the Opening Reception TONIGHT, Friday, September 25 from 5:30 – 8:00 PM. The reception is free and open to the public.

An ASL interpreter, braille transcription, audio guide, and a sensory decompression room will be available. Light refreshments will be served.

# Much gratitude to Fran Flaherty for serving as co-juror with Yu-San Cheng and being a partner throughout this work!

Exhibiting artists:
Ange Altenhofen (), Melissa Athey (), Sookyung Augustin (), Patrick Bell (), Chelsea Clarke (), ​​Erin S. Daily (), Lohitha Kethu (.ke), Selena [Len] Loomis (), Bhavna Mehta (), Dominic Quagliozzi (), Sierra Schweitzer (), Lydia Wickham (.cha0s), Jennifer Rose Wolken (), and Sandie Chun-Shan Yi ()

And don't miss the Artist-Led Gallery Tour tomorrow, Saturday September 26 at 11 AM to hear from the artists about the thoughts and processes behind their work.

Image Description: White "Textures of Being" title graphic overlaid on an image of gold-encrusted fabric inlaid with two rows of small gemstones. This image is a close-up of Ange Altenhoffen's artwork, entitled "HerSuit (Allerleirauh)" At the bottom of the image, white text reads "Opens tonight! Opening Reception Friday, September 25, 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM.