Contemporary Craft moving to new $5.5 million home in Lawrenceville

Contemporary Craft is on the move.

The cutting-edge, contemporary arts hub is leaving its longtime location in the historic Produce Terminal Building in the Strip District and buying a permanent home in Pittsburgh’s Lawrenceville neighborhood.

At the ceremony announcing the move, Contemporary Craft Executive Director Janet McCall said finding a new home was a tremendous relief after learning last spring that the organization would be forced to relocate.

“This building is just a gem,” said McCall. “It will perfectly accommodate all of our program areas. We couldn’t be happier. We wanted to be on a main thoroughfare close to public transportation and easy access to other highways. It’s in a diverse neighborhood with a range of residents, families and people who’ve been here for many generations. So, we will have a permanent, forever home and it will be sustainable. That’s part of the excitement.”

Remaining in the Produce Terminal Building would not would have not been financially sustainable after its upcoming $50 million redevelopment, McCall said.

The new headquarters will be in a former manufacturing facility on Butler Street. The vacant building’s purchase and renovation will cost $5.5 million and be owned and operated by Contemporary Craft.

The 13,500 square-foot facility will include an exhibition space, flexible studio space for workshops and lectures, retail space and a visitor’s lounge. Construction is scheduled to begin in July with an expected opening date in March 2020.

“Contemporary Craft is one of Pittsburgh’s cultural gems and with this major relocation to Lawrenceville, the organization has an opportunity to shine like never before,” said Mitch Swain, CEO of the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council. “The $5.5 million capital project is a major investment in rejuvenating a bit of Pittsburgh’s industrial past while supporting cultural, environmental, and economic vitality.”

Founded in 1971, Contemporary Craft has carved out an identity as a presenter of contemporary art in craft materials such as clay, fiber, metal, paper, wood and others by international, national and regional artists. The organization maintains a free admission policy and provides support for local artists.

The move to a new building is proving to be energizing to long time Contemporary Craft volunteers like retired teacher Pam Morrison, who says she was initially drawn to the organization by the excitement of making hand crafted items.

“It’s all these new things and new spaces, and the architects have come up with a fabulous design that’s going to be very dynamic and exciting,” said Morrison.

Pittsburgh City Councilwoman Deb Gross, who represents District 7, which includes the Strip District and Lawrenceville, said it was important to help Contemporary Craft find a new home.

“These arts spaces are really how we come together,” said Gross. “We don’t stay a community, we don’t stay neighbors unless we actually spend time with each other. And these are the spaces where we can do that. Pittsburgh is a place where people make things and with this home here, you’ll have even greater capacity to do that.”

The organization will continue to operate out of its current space in the Strip District until the end of 2019.