Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival kicks off
Artists from across the region — and nation — will converge starting Friday on the 14-block Cultural District as the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival kicks off, ushering in 10 days of free art and music.
The festival, now in its third consecutive year of festivities relocated from around Point State Park, will feature performances on multiple stages, gallery exhibitions, public art installations, activities for all ages and a bustling Artist Market open daily from noon to 8 p.m. It all culminates in a celebration that has been expanded and now includes one of the city’s iconic Three Sisters Bridges.
“We’re thrilled to welcome visitors back to Pittsburgh’s Cultural District with an updated layout for this year’s festival,” Sarah Aziz, interim vice-president of programming and manager of DEAI Initiatives for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, said in a statement.
Aziz calls the free festival “a one-of-a-kind celebration in Pittsburgh every summer.”
The arts festival isn’t the only event taking place this weekend, so prepare accordingly — country star Kenny Chesney is in town on Saturday and it’s also Pittsburgh Pride weekend.
The good news is that the weather forecast looks dry Friday and most of Saturday, according to Tim Cermak, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Moon. Temperatures should be in the upper 60s and 70s and could reach near 80 on Saturday.
“That’s good news with all of the (rainy) weather we have had lately,” Cermak said. “There is a chance for showers late Saturday overnight and some during the day Sunday.”
Parking/transportation/street closures
The Trust suggests checking ParkPGH.org to see which garages are open and how many spaces are available. There are thousands of parking spots in the Cultural District and thousands within a short distance on the North Shore.
For those who travel by bicycle, check out BikePGH.org. A free bike valet will be located at the Trust Oasis on Seventh Street, Downtown. Enter from either Fort Duquesne Boulevard or Penn Avenue.
Pittsburgh Regional Transit is another mode of transportation via light rail, incline, buses and shared-ride paratransit. Find more information here.
For the duration of the arts festival, most of Fort Duquesne Boulevard and surrounding streets will be closed throughout the weekend. Look for closures on the North Side near Allegheny Commons Park as well, in connection with Pride events there.
Artist Market/galleries
The Artist Market will feature more than 300 artists — regional and national — selling glass, wood, fine art, jewelry and handbags, photography, pottery and ceramics, leather and more.
Artists will change over throughout the 10 days.
Several of the Trust’s gallery spaces will be open from 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. each day.
SPACE Gallery will feature “Furry Friends,” a show that celebrates the diverse ways in which animals enrich lives, challenge perspectives and inspire creativity.
“A Sudden Gust of Wind,” a commissioned public art project by the Pittsburgh-based and internationally renowned artists Lenka Clayton and Phillip Andrew Lewis, is on display. The exhibit contains 200 sculptures installed within the branches of more than 90 trees throughout the Cultural District.
“40 Years Later: Revisiting the 1984 Three Rivers Arts Festival” allows guests to experience the nostalgia of the summer of 1984 in 707 Penn Gallery.
“Life Is Nice but Odd and Strange at the Same Time” is an exhibition of more than 100 works by VaultArt Studio’s resident artists with disabilities at 820 Liberty Gallery.
“Wavy Wednesday: Where Did Your Christ Come From?” is at 937 Liberty Gallery.
Making its ninth annual appearance at the festival, “Anthropology of Motherhood” is an exhibition exploring the culture of care at the Byham Theater.
On stage
The Dollar Bank Main Stage will be at the intersection of Fort Duquesne Boulevard and Ninth Street. Opening night includes a performance by Pokey LaFarge, an Illinois-born country singer, songwriter and actor. LaFarge takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The adjacent Rachel Carson Bridge on Ninth Street will feature the Green Mountain Energy Stage halfway across the span. It will offer twice-daily entertainment such as live music, literary readings, and other activities.
The Backyard Stage at Eighth and Penn Avenues will feature performances by local and regional artists.
Details: traf.trustarts.org
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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