Tony Paletta remembers thinking negatively of New Kensington when he was growing up in the city.

He remembers moving away to live on the West Coast for a number of years before returning to New Kensington five years ago.

That’s when his perspective changed.

“Coming back in 2020, so much beautiful stuff had popped up,” Paletta said.

One of those positive additions in the Aluminum City Arts center, which held a grand opening Friday.

Owned by Manos Gallery’s Ernesto Camacho Jr. and Brian DeFelices, Aluminum City Arts is located at 200 Freeport Road at an impressive former Alcoa building.

Aimed to be a “cultural hub,” the space makes way for artists’ galleries, a suite for the Tri-City Historical Society.

Future plans call for a theater, custom picture framer, fashion designer and a bookstore. There will also be a wedding and event venue.

Paletta will have space for multimedia production.

“Everyone’s excited as soon as they see the place,” Paletta said. “It’s an unlimited opportunity for a new generation of people who want to do creative stuff.

“The more people doing good stuff in New Ken, it can become a destination city. It’s inspiring that people want to help New Ken. It’s the perfect opportunity at the right time.”

‘Shot to come back’

Paul Marcantonio, a lifelong New Kensington resident, noted that the Aluminum City Arts building has a deep history in the area.

His grandfather, Giuseppi Bartolacci, immigrated from Italy and worked as a laborer that worked on the building’s front steps.

“He was very proud to be part of something new and be part of something big,” Marcantonio said.

Marcantonio predicts Aluminum City Arts will also have a lasting impact.

“We’ve got good people here. People need to see that, what they’re doing here and downtown. It’s going to give us a shot to come back, a little bit.”

Photographer Donna Weckerly of Kittanning has some of her work on display at Aluminum City Arts. She is also the executive director of the Armstrong County Arts Council.

Weckerly thinks Aluminum City Arts will attract people to New Kensington from Pittsburgh and that the center will be good for the local economy. She hopes a similar initiative can take place in Armstrong County.

“It’s a thrill to see it happen in action,” she said.

James Sabulsky, president of the Tri-City Historical Society, said Aluminum City Arts is a benefit to not just his organization but the region at large.

“We’re going to be able to attract more people,” he said. “They’ll be coming to see us but also check out the other gallery spots. “The building will offer us a lot more opportunities to present the history of this area.”

Something the region needs

Camacho said Aluminum City Arts will put New Kensington on the map in the arts community.

“The arts community is beyond thrilled,” Camacho said. “This is something the region really needs. It’s a hub where all forms of art come together in one building.

“We can’t imagine the artistic adventures that await us.”

Camacho agrees that Aluminum City Arts will make New Kensington a destination.

“When we were in Tarentum, that’s what it was,” he said. “Now that we’re here, it’ll be, ‘We have to go to Aluminum City Arts, and see what’s going on.”

Eddie Lojak, of E-LO Entertainment, said the events venue of Aluminum City Arts can hold up to 140 people inside, and will have outdoor options as well.

He believes wedding and event clients will enjoy the styles and architecture of the building.

That was attractive to Mayor Thomas Guzzo, who recalled getting his wedding pictures there. Guzzo and state Rep. Jill Cooper, R-Murrysville, were also on hand for the ribbon cutting.

Guzzo said art brings people together and fuels innovation.

“Art in a city can preserve and showcase a part of our history,” he said, “and art provides and encourages community togetherness and serves as a unifying force.”

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