Best Shops To Buy Affordable Art In Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is widely regaled for its hospitals, educational institutions and food scene, but art isn't always in the forefront of the local's mind. Andy Warhol is the Steel City's only claim to artistic fame, or was he? Check out this list of the five best places to find affordable, beautifully crafted art in every medium imaginable, and see for yourself that Pittsburgh truly is home to some of this country's most gifted artists.
Wildcard
4209 Butler St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15201
(412) 224-2651
www.wildcardpgh.com
When art comes to mind, it's usually of the painting and figurine variety. But art can really be anything handcrafted: a greeting card, decorative rug, sculpture or bed frame. Wildcard has carried all of the aforementioned, plus a great little variety of other handcrafted, locally made art by Pittsburgh artisans. Nowhere else in the city can you simultaneously buy a print of the Westinghouse Bridge with a zombie dangling from the edge, a greeting card for your grandmother and a hand-stitched owl doll for your niece - this eclectic little shoppe has it all. Wildcard is also always accepting applications from local vendors, so if you think your canvas of soda pop tabs or sculpture of re-purposed bike spokes is really chic, send in an application to be considered.
Penn Avenue Pottery
1905 Penn Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 281-9394
www.pennavepottery.com
Penn Avenue Pottery's ceramics are varied and unique. Focused solely on supporting the local arts and artist's co-op that supplies the store, Penn Avenue Pottery offers perfectly whimsical, unique items that make beautiful gifts or add that much-needed flourish to your home. Check out its extensive line of ceramics (some functional, most simply decorative) and stop for a chat with the artists who work on-site. Who knows, maybe you'll leave with a little inspiration yourself.
Fireborn Studios
2338 Sarah St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
(412) 488-6835
www.fireborn.com
If you're not sure what to buy, but know you're in the market for affordable art, check out the offerings at Fireborn Studios. Ranging from glasswork to pottery, woodwork, ceramics and paintings, Fireborn has something for the most stoic art critic to the most unpolished newbie. The studio also teaches pottery and offers jewelry-making classes. Visit to shop, stay to learn and walk away with a new found appreciation of this timeless vocation.
Related: Best Art Supply Stores In Pittsburgh
Hart's
1905 E. Carson St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
(412) 431-0453
Photographs of various Pittsburgh locations, bracelets, locally made art such as tie-dyed items, cards, masks, glass, clocks and paintings abound. Hart's even carries aprons and purses from reclaimed materials, some of which are imported, but most which are made right in the Steel City. The most unique bit about this fun store is that it is inside of an old house, and each set of merchandise is carefully displayed to match the pertaining room: glassware in the kitchen, decorative hangers in the bedrooms and paintings in the living and dining rooms.
BoxHeart
4523 Liberty Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15224
(412) 687-8858
www.boxheartgallery.com
A multimedia disciplinary, BoxHeart offers a wide variety of paintings, ceramics, textiles, jewelry, photography and sculptures. Established in 2000, this unique little gallery also hosts monthly exhibitions for local, national and international artists, features custom framing, art consulting and art installation services. Not in the market to buy? You even have the option of renting one of BoxHeart's fine pieces, complete with free delivery.
Nikki Tiani-Moroney is a full time mum of two boys, wife of a professional poker player/photographer/amateur pencil-sharpening competitor and writer from Pittsburgh, PA. When she isn't studiously neglecting her housework in favor of a good book, she's out simultaneously fighting crime and picking up sidewalk litter while savoring an occasional cigarette. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
