Three artists launch artworks that seek to catalyze change in the Pittsburgh region on the topics of water pollution, air pollution, and lead toxicity in the soil.
We are agents and advocates for public art.
Njaimeh Njie, The Village, part of Homecoming: Hill District, USA, 2016–2019.
Projects & Programs
CURRENT PROGRAM
Artists Bridging Social Distance in the Public Realm
Artist projects address the evolving Covid-19 crisis by building pathways to rest, companionship and connection within communities most affected by the pandemic.
FEATURED PROJECT
Sibyls Shrine
Created by artist Alisha B. Wormsley, Sibyls Shrine is a new artist residency program for Black women, womxn, trans women, and femmes (Womxn) who are mothers and identify as artists, creatives, and/or activists in Pittsburgh.
We believe art builds community and increases social connection.
Events & Opportunities
FEATURED CONTENT
Artists in Process: Environment, Health, and Public Art
On April 13, 2021, OPA hosted an online panel discussion with Brooks Takahashi, Henderson, and Tremonte about their work on EHPA initiative. During this discussion, the artists reflected on their approach to engaging art as a vehicle for raising awareness about environmental issues. Watch this recording to learn more about their methods for addressing these themes and the many ways in which they have been working with communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
FEATURED EVENT
OPA Live! A Tale of Two GASPs
Rachel Fillipini, Executive Director of The Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP) in Pittsburgh and Michael Hansen, Executive Director of the Greater-Birmingham Alliance to Stop Pollution (GASP) in Birmingham, Alabama take over the OPA Instagram account to host a live discussion about the work of their two organizations and how it is shaped by their cities’ histories.
FEATURED EVENT
The Intersection of Art and Environmentalism
Alyssa Kail and Elizabeth Chin Start are former colleagues at a Creative Reuse non-profit in Portland, Oregon. Their discussion will focus on the role of material reuse and waste reduction in relation to environmental sustainability, as well as how discarded materials and environmental concepts inspire Elizabeth’s consultation work and creative practice.
We work at the convergence of public art and civic design.
Rapid Resources For:
Featured Publications
Add Value Add Art
This guide outlines various project types and best practices for artist selection, budgeting, contracts, and more, and is a valuable resource for both public and private entities.
Temporary Public Art and Placemaking Report
In 2015,OPA and Neighborhood Allies launched a new partnership that resulted in the creation of the Temporary Public Art and Placemaking initiative.
Artist Residency Resource Guide
For organizations that would like to develop an artist in the public realm residency, as well as for artists who are interested in initiating their own collaborative projects in the public realm.
Pittsburgh Artists Working in Community
This case study explores how we have used the Aesthetic Perspectives framework to develop and evaluate our Artist Residencies and Civic Engagement Programs.