Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh announced its latest summer programs, activities, and making, Artists in Residency, Solar Concert Series, Expanded MuseumLab hours, and 40 Years of Memories Recording Booth.
Now in its 15th year, the Tough Art Artist Residency (Tough Art) program, which runs from June through September, is one of the Museum’s longest-running and most innovative programs. This group of artists will work in media ranging from large sculptures to video and sound design, and their works will be displayed at the Museum throughout the fall and winter.
The 2023 Tough artists are:
- Asia Ward – Asia is a social practice artist who will develop large-scale sculptures at the Museum.
- Ling-lin Ku – Ling’s work plays between digital and tangible elements and has been exhibited nationally and internationally.
- Kolton Cotton and Tate Abdullah – The two artists are both graduate students at the School of Drama at Carnegie Mellon University. Kolton specializes in video and media design and is complemented by Tate’s specialization in sound design.
The Fresh, Innovative, Non-stop Expression (F.I.N.E.) Artist Residency program is a bold experiment to intentionally connect visiting children and youth to authentic and innovative art experiences developed by and with working artists in the community. Since its conception, this program has historically invited working artists to connect with the museum’s visitors through workshops, demonstrations, and open exploration. This program is supported by The Fine Foundation.
The 2023 F.I.N.E. artists are:
- The Cookie Table – The Cookie Table are a Pittsburgh-based multidisciplinary duo consisting of Kelsey and Treasure Treasure. The Cookie Table’s work ranges from classic forms of theater, music, and dance to experimental expression.
- Naomi Chambers – Naomi Chambers is a painter and assemblage sculptor. In 2017, she and her partner worked with a collective of artists to open FlowerHouse, a community art studio and creative space in Wilkinsburg where they offer workshops and classes for the predominantly black community.
Each artist in residency receives an honorarium and materials budget to complete their works, access to fabrication facilities, professional photographs of their final artwork, and more.
Also returning this summer is the Solar Concert Series, starting on July 13. Every Thursday at 12:15 p.m. throughout July and August, there will be a free, live, outdoor concert – thanks to a solar-powered sound system – at Buhl Community Park or Nova Place. The Solar Concert Series is a project of Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, Saturday Light Brigade, Zero Fossil, and Nova Place. This year’s schedule:
- July 13
- Jason Gamble & Nashwan Asef Abdullah – Buhl Community Park
- July 20
- Kelsey Robinson & Colter Harper – Nova Place
- July 27
- Devilish Merry – Buhl Community Park
- August 3
- Ol’ Whitetail – Nova Place
- August 10
- Anyah Nancy – Buhl Community Park
- August 17
- Thomas Wendt – Nova Place
- August 24
- The Meraklides – Buhl Community Park
- August 31
- Liz McBride – Nova Place
To commemorate its 40th anniversary, the Children’s Museum is asking visitors to take a trip down memory lane and share their favorite moments in the 40 Years of Memories Recording Booth, located in the museum’s cafe. Guests that can’t make it to the Children’s Museum can submit their favorite moments via email (40years@pittsburghkids.org).
“Our celebration of 40 years of creativity, kindness, curiosity, and joy at the Children’s Museum is in full swing,” said Max Pipman, Senior Director of Communications. “We’re so thankful to everyone who has shared what an amazing impact the museum has had on their lives.”
The museum has also expanded their hours this summer. MuseumLab will be open seven days a week from noon to 5 p.m. through late August. MuseumLab is Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh’s newest space for youth and teens. Its featured exhibit is “Opposites Abstract: A Mo Willems Exhibit,” which invites its audience to view and play by exploring the complicated yet simple concept of opposites through hands-on experiences, art-making activities, and artist-led performances.
For a complete list of Children’s Museum events, visit: https://pittsburghkids.org/events/
