Sweetwater Center for the Arts launches SweetRide mobile art unit

Sweetwater Center for the Arts is ready to take the (art) show on the road.

SweetRide is a converted 2017 Ford Micro Bird bus that acts as an on-the-go method of delivering art into communities, schools and even private events.

“When I started at Sweetwater three years ago, this was kind of a dream for me,” said Sweetwater Center for the Arts executive director Christine Brondyke at a launch party for SweetRide on May 4. “We have a very tight-knit community, we have smaller space in our building and the object was to be able to bring what we do out to our communities, not just in Sewickley, but in other areas that we can connect.”

This year marks Sweetwater’s 50th anniversary, and a number of initiatives and special art shows are planned to reflect on that milestone and mark the auspicious occasion.

SweetRide has several functions. It can bring interactive art workshops right to the front of venues, as well as live artists’ demonstrations. Also, the inside of the bus is set up as its own gallery shop, displaying works by local artists that are all available for purchase.

The vibrantly painted bus is inviting on the inside, cleanly and attractively displaying artwork the way a museum gift shop typically would. Brondyke said that this is an elegant and portable way to have a store without taking up space within Sweetwater’s existing building.

“We’re shifting towards the creative economy. We’re going to start supporting our artists in a variety of different ways, through membership, through workshops, through lots of different things,” Brondyke said.

“It will be taking the artwork of our artists to where the people are, which is something new and innovative for our type of nonprofit. You can go to a shop at a local art center, but the shop very rarely comes to you,” she added.

State Rep. Valerie Gaydos was present at the May 4 launch event to celebrate the new initiative.

“I think we have a lot of artists in the community and … it gives the Sweetwater Art Center a chance to demonstrate not just locally but all around,” she said.

As a big supporter of STEM education, she sees art as an extension of this top priority and supports an expansion and appreciation of those skills in the area.

The bus is available for community events, educational purposes and markets. It made its debut at the Sewickley Civic Garden Council’s May Mart on May 10, and will also be at the first 2025 edition of Sweetwater Blooms on May 17. It will add even more color to this market that sells fresh flowers, garden items and local artwork.

Brondyke said that the bus is already scheduled for 17 stops this summer. It’s also available to rent for birthday parties, corporate events and other smaller private shindigs.

“This is a dream and we can’t wait to bring it out into our community,” Brondyke said.