Pittsburgh Center For The Arts

A great place to go see some new exhibition openings. They show a huge variety of work so some shows can be absolutely fantastic and others can be a little less so. They also sometimes have all of their rooms open including both downstairs and upstairs and other times only have a few rooms open. The quality of the opening can also vary depending on who is directing it, but it is always a good place to hang out with other artsy types in Pittsburgh.

I saw an exhibition advertised and thought this might be a good place to visit. I couldn't even find the right building at first as signs were not conspicuously posted. Finally I entered one building and asked for some assistance. I'm not sure I even found the exhibit as, once again, I couldn't find any signage.A frustrating experience that I do not care to happen again.

Joy Sato is a disgrace to be in charge of such a beautiful venue for a wedding. She will ruin your wedding. I had my wedding at Mellon Park and the reception at the Center for the Arts. I also have attended several weddings at this location. She is very nasty and has been every time I've dealt with her. She argues with guests. She is never on time for anything. She is VERY disrespectful to the bride and groom's wishes and their guests. She has no idea how to make sure the tent area is properly ventilated or to have proper lighting in the bar and tent area. Whoever hired her to be in charge needs to have their head examined. She needs fired immediately!!! Whatever you do, when it comes to any details with the timeline of your wedding at Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, do whatever you can to not let her be involved. From the rehearsal dinner to the reception, she will be late and/or drop the ball all along the way. I have countless personal firsthand experiences with her. She's very very rude. Pittsburgh and this venue deserve to be represented better.

The Pittsburgh Center for the Arts wears many hats: it's a place to go for art-related classes, a small museum/exhibit space, and a gift shop. It's a pretty building, set back a bit from Fifth Avenue in Shadyside, with a parking lot behind the building (metered, bring your quarters). The exhibit space is small, but the exhibits are always of the highest quality, eclectic (I mean this in the best possible way), and interesting. No charge for admission and you could easily take a thoughtful tour in an hour or less.What makes the Center for the Arts a hit for me is their gift shop. What sets these gift shop from other museum gift shops in the area is their wide selection of work by many local artists and artisans, including watercolor prints, photographs, jewelry, clothing and knitted items, ceramic and hand-blown glass items. The list goes on and on. I especially like all of the watercolors and photographs of different Pittsburgh landmarks and neighborhood scenes. I often get a set of watercolor notecards, mat and frame them, and then give as inexpensive gifts to guests staying at my B&B.During the holiday season, the gift shop expands--literally--and besides all the wonderful merchandise they normally offer, they add all sorts of holiday items, such as hand made ornaments, Christmas cards. The salespeople are friendly and helpful if you have any questions, but otherwise unobtrusive.

Poor service. The event planner there (name not to be disclosed) does not respond, misses appts. with my clients, and is not helpful at all. She made me look REALLY bad recently. When I called and emailed her about it, no response. I will never use them as a venue for future events.