OPENING NIGHT AT REDFISHBOWL’S MONOCHROME SHOW

by Lelaina Scott

As a fresh little fish in a big city art scene culture pond, one of the first spaces I gravitated to was Redfishbowl Studios on Butler St. in Lawrenceville. Partly because the location was too convenient, by mostly because of the buzz I heard surrounding the art studio hub. My first month in Pittsburgh, I took a tour with Redfishbowl’s manager and founder Chris Boles and fell in love with the welcoming, inspiring and quite badass space he and his team have created over the years in this space.

Floor to ceiling is covered in marks of artists past, murals and stickers and all sorts of mixed media thrown around the space. You’d be surprised how inspiring such a beautiful mess can be to an artist eager to find their place in a new art world. There was so much room to grow as an artist and as a collective group of creatives, whether you’re looking for a group class, a private studio space or just a community of artists, Redfishbowl is oozing with passion.

Chris could not have been kinder to me during our tour of the space. Before we wrapped up completely, he mentioned an upcoming show. This was going to be an annual exhibition of art centered around black and white works. The Monochrome Show was going to have its applications open soon and that I should keep an eye out for the announcement. Aside from the fact that this would be the first show I was applying for since moving to Pittsburgh, the theme intrigued and inspired me so! I loved stretching my brain and working within parameters to create a work of art. Moreso, I was so excited to see what my fellow artists were making. I applied, crossed my fingers and began planning my piece. Before I knew what hit me, I was bringing my piece down to Redfishbowl studios to be hung and displayed for the 2025 Monochrome show.

Walking into the space on opening night, I was immediately filled with excitement and inspiration. The place was full of artists and art enjoyers a like, all there to celebrate an opening and celebrate creativity. To the right, one of the several bands were setting up in a back area, a makeshift bar was serving up drinks and nearly everyone I saw was adorned in black and white outfits. The energy in the room was contagious as people chatted and checked out the art on the walls. To the back left is the main gallery area, but there was art spilling out into the hallway and really anywhere it could be appreciated and seen and believe me, it was.

This is my first show in Pittsburgh and at Redfishbowl. As I rounded the corner and saw my art hung with such care, sharing the walls with such a huge variety of styles and sizes and mediums, I felt a shift. To be surrounded by such creative people in a space that fosters such powerful passion and creativity, wow. I couldn’t help but feel giddy at this space that was built and how honored I am to be a part of it.

I went around and viewed all the artwork on display from fellow artists, then I went around again a few times. People began to dance as the band picked up and the space was filled with sounds and passionate, creative people. THIS is what art is about. I went home that night absolutely exhausted and more inspired than I had been in a long time.

Redfishbowl is a gallery and art collective that welcomes the odd, the nontraditional and the aspiring artists to continue to grow by building a space that is filled with opportunity, support and passionate folks who want to share the joy of art. I hope Redfishbowl Studios is around for a very, very long time because the art world needs people like Chris Boles and his team to creatively feed and grow the artist community and those who are passionate. I encourage you to schedule a tour on their website and, as of writing this, The Monochrome Show is still up! Go check it out. Support local art. Consider being a part of what Redfishbowl is doing, because it’s something special.

Lelaina Scott is a Pittsburgh-based artist. She has a degree in Visual Arts and Music Studies from Pennsylvania State University and her work has been displayed at 3 Dots and the Bellefonte Museum of Art. She has had her work published in several local publications including State College Magazine, Kalliope Magazine and Valley Magazine.

Another artist working in monochrome is Kara Walker.  This month’s articles are published with support from The Frick Pittsburgh for Kara Walker: Harper’s Pictorial History of the Civil War (Annotated). As Zach Hunley wrote in Petrichor: “When viewing the work of Kara Walker, you are bearing witness to history and time compounded.” Revisit the past and rethink the present now at the Frick Art Museum.