by Emma Riva
Cover image by Isla Hansen via The Mattress Factory
Quick artnews brief for today because this weekend, I jet off for New York for the UP Magazine Issue 6 release party. For those who don’t know, UP is a graffiti, street art, and fine arts magazine I serve as the managing editor of. We do a yearly print issue, and this one focuses on the artistry, history, and culture of graffiti specifically, no street art or murals.
I wrote a long piece featuring Pittsburgh graffiti and conducted extensive interviews with graffiti writers here, some of whom have never spoken about their lives and careers with a member of the press before. So, I’m really excited for that party on March 2 and 3. Locally in Pittsburgh, copies of UP are available at Caliban Books and Bantha Tea Bar.
However, due to being out of town I’m missing a few events. This includes an Linda Price-Sneddon’s Point of Beginning opens March 2. Also in Sharpsburg, down the block Ketchup City Creative is featuring Kenyan artist Adam Masava and Kenyan art collective Mukuru Collective on March 1, so you can hit both this weekend. Masava will also be visiting 1Hood Media and Radiant Hall while in Pittsburgh.
On 3/1 from 5PM-1OPM at Irma Freeman Center Zim Syed’s legal defense fund show is opening—this is a great opportunity to support someone in our community. Syed is a longstanding local artist represented by Boxheart Gallery who has studio space at Brew House Association. It also should just be a really fun night with some great people and great art.
On the museum side of things, The Mattress Factory has an opening on 3/8 featuring Isla Hansen, Marvin Touré, and Catalina Schliebener Muñoz. This is guest curator Monique Long’s vision come together. Look into Grimace’s terrifying single eye captured by Isla Hansen and tell me you don’t want to come! Hansen’s work is the cover image for today’s newsletter.
We’re also seeing at the Carnegie Museum of Art the Heinz Architectural Center’s new show opening on 3/9. Via Sutton New York’s press release, it is “an exhibition that investigates our relationship with plasticity—both as a metaphor and material construction. The exhibition makes its North American debut in Pittsburgh following an inaugural presentation as the US Pavilion at the 18th Venice Biennale of Architecture in 2023.” There will be a chance to visit this exhibition for the first time on 3/9 from 3PM-6PM..
Also, if. you haven’t checked it out, Petrichor columnist Dave Bernabo has been collaborating with Pittsburgh Sound Preserve’s Trē Seguritan Abalos. Available to listen on Bandcamp. Dave also has been working on Pittsburgh Composers’ Project, opening at Kelly Strayhorn Theater on March 9.
One exciting recent piece of news: Contemporary Craft has purchased a house to use as a national artist residency. Via Mandy Wilson of CC’s press team: “For the past year, Contemporary Craft has been leasing a house with the option to purchase, as the organization piloted its first national residency program.
Within the past year, artists have traveled to Pittsburgh from locales around the globe, including Sweden, North Carolina, New York, and California, and have stayed in the house while creating in the Contemporary Craft studios or assisting with their exhibition installations.
The intention of the artist residency program is to support artists at any stage of their career with free housing and access to fully equipped studios for either a one-month or six-month residency. Their time in Pittsburgh includes an artist stipend, staff support, and the opportunity to interface with the public while creating a body of work.“
This is a great opportunity to bring new talent to Pittsburgh, and I’m excited to see where it goes. And, finally, shameless personal plug, if you missed my and Aletheia’s Tumblr as Home at Blankspace, it will be up through 3/17 and open by appointment. Shoot me a message if you’re interested in seeing it.
Send hyper-local gossip, hot takes, & show listings to petrichorpgh@gmail.com
PETRICHOR 
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