Events

An unforgettable night of music, magic, and community—supporting the parks that make Pittsburgh shine

 Mark your calendars and get ready to shine—Glow in the Park is back! The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy's luminous fall fundraiser returns to Schenley Plaza on Friday, September 19, from 7 – 10 P.M., promising an unforgettable evening — all in support of the parks that bring Pittsburgh to life.

Presented by Peoples, an Essential Utilities Company, Glow in the Park is a 21+ celebration under the stars, filled with exciting new experiences. Guests can look forward to sweet treat stations, tarot card readings, and fun surprises around every corner. Back by popular demand, DJ Digital Dave will once again light up the night with crowd-pleasing beats that keep the dance floor moving.

Tickets range from $99 to $250 and are available now at pittsburghparks.org/glow, with proceeds benefitting parks across the city. 

"Glow in the Park is one of those special nights where you feel the magic of what parks make possible—connection, joy, and a true sense of community," said Sophie Gage, Senior Events Manager at the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. "We're so excited to bring people together in Schenley Plaza again to celebrate and support our parks in a fun and meaningful way."

More than just a party, Glow in the Park helps power the Parks Conservancy's mission and amplify its efforts as it embarks on an ambitious new five-year strategic plan. Proceeds support vital initiatives, including ecological restoration, environmental education programs, and community-driven park improvements across the city.

This year's celebration comes on the heels of a major milestone for Pittsburgh: the city was recently ranked among the top 15 park systems in the country by the Trust for Public Land's 2025 ParkScore report—a proud moment that underscores the importance of sustained investment in public parks.

Schenley Plaza, the heart of Glow in the Park, is itself a symbol of what's possible. Once a gravel parking lot, the Parks Conservancy transformed the park in 2006 into a lively public gathering space, complete with gardens, the Hellman Lawn, unique food kiosks, and the iconic PNC Carousel.

Be part of a night that celebrates Pittsburgh's parks and the people who love them. Learn more and get your tickets now at pittsburghparks.org/glow. 

📍Heinz History Center | Thursday, July 17 | 6-7:30 p.m. | $5 for members, $10 for non-members  

Step into the arena of sports history with scholar Damion Thomas, museum curator of sports and the interim assistant director of culture for the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Thomas will discuss the making of his book, “Game Changers: Sports Photographs from the National Museum of African American History and Culture,” a powerful exploration of African American athletes and their impact, on and off the field. From boxing rings to basketball courts, Thomas will explore how sports have served as a platform for African Americans to showcase excellence, resistance, and social change.  

Register 

The City of Pittsburgh is pleased to announce the full schedule of entertainment for the 2025 Independence Day Celebration on Friday, July 4. All activities will take place at the North Shore Riverfront Park, with additional festivities at Emerald View Park’s Grandview Bandstand.

The festivities will kick off at 4 p.m. on the North Shore, with musical performances continuing throughout the event as local artists Tuesday Nite, Jukebox, and NASH.V.ILL highlight the main stage. Additional music at the Sargent Electric Solar Stage on the Riverwalk will include Jay Constable and DJ Supa C. The musical entertainment will complement activities including a children’s fun zone, hot-air balloon, food trucks, and more.

In Mt. Washington's Grandview Park, CitiParks’ “Steel City Blast at Grandview” will host performances beginning at 4 p.m. by Ansel Brown, the Nied’s Hotel Band, and the Billy Price Band. Food, refreshments, and children’s activities will run throughout the day.

The celebrations will come to a close at 9:35 p.m. with the main attraction, the Independence Day fireworks display. As the fireworks illuminate the Pittsburgh skyline, listeners can tune in to 100.1 FM KDKA for a live broadcast soundtrack paying tribute to Independence Day and viewers at home can see the display live on WPXI-TV.

City of Pittsburgh residents and visitors should note that there will be no event activities or viewing at Point State Park this year due to an ongoing construction project. In addition to the main event locations at the North Shore Riverfront Park and Grandview Park, viewers are encouraged to safely enjoy the fireworks display from one of the many scenic spots Pittsburgh has to offer, including the West End Overlook, Mount Washington Overlook, the North Shore River Trail, and other locations across Pittsburgh that offer clear views of the skyline.

2025 Independence Day Celebration Schedule

North Shore Riverfront Park

4 – 5 p.m. Tuesday Nite

5 – 6 p.m. Jay Constable

6 – 7 p.m. Jukebox

7 – 8 p.m. DJ Supa C

8 – 9:20 p.m. Nash.V.Ill

Emerald View Park Grandview Bandstand – “Steel City Blast at Grandview”

4 – 5 p.m. Ansel Brown

5:45 – 7:15 p.m. Nied’s Hotel Band

8 – 9:30 p.m. The Billy Price Band

The 2025 City of Pittsburgh Independence Day Celebration is made possible with support from WPXI-TV, Audacy Radio Pittsburgh, and VisitPITTSBURGH. For more information about the July 4 event, visit https://www.pittsburghpa.gov/july4.

The City of Pittsburgh is pleased to announce the release of the 2025 CitiParks Summer Guide.  CitiParks and the CitiParks Office of Special Events are here to make planning your summer simple and stress-free. 

The summer season in Pittsburgh is packed with fun and FREE events throughout the City and CitiParks has everything covered. From farmers markets, footraces, and the Roving Art Cart’s 50th year of ‘Arts in the Park’ to Juneteenth and 4th of July activities and more, you can find it all in the 2025 CitiParks Summer Guide. 

The City of Pittsburgh is centered around our neighborhoods, welcoming communities, and people. CitiParks is dedicated to connecting all of Pittsburgh’s residents and visitors through our programs and engaging activities. CitiParks also aims to provide a summer that is enjoyable, safe, and family- and child-friendly.  Safety is CitiParks’ number one priority for all of our residents and visitors.  

The 2025 CitiParks Summer Guide is available online HERE. It will also be available at CitiParks Recreation and Healthy Active Living (Senior) Centers, Farmers Markets, Concerts and various locations throughout the City.   

The City of Pittsburgh is pleased to announce that, 50 years after its opening, the Schenley Park Skating Rink will now offer roller skating all summer long until August 31, 2025. 

Roller skaters can take their first lap at the rink on Friday, May 23, 2025, at 10 AM – 12 PM and 5 PM – 8:30 PM.   

“After working closely with Pittsburgh’s local roller-skating community, we’re excited to roll out something new for 2025 at Schenley Rink,” said Kathryn Vargas, Director of CitiParks. “The organizers of PGH SK8 started hosting roller skate events at the rink and have worked to help us reimagine how we can utilize this facility to offer Pittsburghers an additional fun summer recreational activity in Schenley Park.” 

This programming is made possible with the generous support of the Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD). 

Admission prices are as follows:  

Adults: $5.00 

Youth: $3.00 

Seniors: $4.00 

Veterans:  $4.00 

Admission Tickets can ONLY be purchased online by clicking HERE! 

Roller Skating Rentals (Quads Only) will be available later this summer for $3.00.  Until then, you will need to bring your own skates! 

Rink Summer Closures: 

The Schenley Park Skating Rink will be CLOSED on the following days: 

• Thursday, June 19, 2025—Juneteenth Holiday 
• Friday, July 4, 2025—Independence Day 
• Friday, July 18 – Sunday, July 20, 2025—Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix 

Rules & operations information are as follows:  

• Roller Skating is weather permitting 
• Each session is open skate, and the box office closes 15 minutes before the session ends 
• Each session is limited to 200 patrons 
• No outside food or drink. (Water is exception) 
• Inline and Roller Skates are welcome 
• No exit/re-entry. Once you leave a new admissions ticket must be purchased to return 
• Online tickets only—Box Office is closed 

For more information, visit https://www.pittsburghpa.gov/Recreation-Events/Park-Facilities/Schenley-Skating-Rink/Schenley-Park-Roller-Rink, call the Rink at 412.422.6523, or scan the QR code down below. Be sure to follow CitiParks on FACEBOOK, TWITTER and INSTAGRAM to always be in the know.  

We can’t wait to see you at the rink! 

The CitiParks Office of Special Events is pleased to announce the official Dollar Bank Cinema in the Park schedule for the coming summer. Moviegoers can bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy an evening of cinema under the stars in various neighborhood locations from June through early August. All movies are presented to the public free of charge and begin at dusk.

The 2025 movie season will showcase recent blockbusters “Wicked”, “Moana 2” and “Dune: Part Two”, while also featuring past hit titles such as “National Treasure” during the week of the Independence Day holiday, family favorite “Soul”, and adventure epic “O Brother, Where Art Thou”. The nearly nightly film schedule will return to popular locations, with weekly movies taking place at Flagstaff Hill, Grandview Park Bandstand, Riverview Park (following “Stars at Riverview” concerts), and Schenley Plaza. Rotating locations throughout the summer will include Arsenal Park, Banksville Park, Brookline Memorial Park, Highland Park, McBride Park, Ormsby Park, and the West End Elliott Overlook. August will spotlight select movie showings at Troy Hill Citizens and Liberty Green Parks.

On Sunday, July 27, movie enthusiasts are invited to a special presentation of “Champions”, which will be featured at Schenley Plaza. Presented in partnership with Film Pittsburgh and the ReelAbilities Film Festival, audio descriptive and accessible services will be available at this event.

For the complete Dollar Bank Cinema in the Park schedule and any inclement weather or cancellation updates, please visit pittsburghpa.gov/cinema or follow the Office of Special Events (@PghEventsOffice) on Facebook, X, and Instagram.

Cinema in the Park is presented by Dollar Bank with 100.7 Star and WAMO 107.3 serving as media partners.

Chamber Music Pittsburgh (CMP) is thrilled to announce its 2025 Pittsburgh Performs series, which brings innovative local musicians into unexpected neighborhood venues. “Voices of Pittsburgh” will open with two concerts featuring multitalented vocalist ANQWENIQUE in a program celebrating Juneteenth, followed by the vocal octet Reson8 presenting “Singing Out Loud,” a celebration of LGBTQ+ composers in July. These concerts will take place across the city, bringing the valuable experience of live music to Pittsburgh’s many neighborhoods.

“Pittsburgh Performs has been a core part of our mission for many seasons—it provides a platform for us to showcase the diverse talents of musicians here in our region,” says Martha Bonta, Executive and Artistic Director of Chamber Music Pittsburgh. “In this year’s series, ‘Voices of Pittsburgh,’ audiences can look forward to artist-curated programs that shine a light on brilliant yet under-celebrated composers in venues throughout Pittsburgh that are not typical concert halls. We look forward to amplifying the voices of our amazing local artists and sharing their uplifting performances with our community.”

Saturday, June 14 • 2:00PM • East Liberty Presbyterian Church, East Liberty

Thursday, June 19 • 7:30PM • Emerald City PGH, Downtown

Tickets: Pay what you wish

Presented in partnership with the Madame Mary Caldwell Dawson Branch of the National Association of Negro Musicians (NANM) and Hope Academy of Music and the Arts, these concerts feature longtime CMP collaborator ANQWENIQUE. With a love for jazz, opera, classical, and soul music, ANQWENIQUE bridges genre and era to craft unforgettable musical experiences that embody her passion for performance.

The program includes works by influential Black American composers, including Jessie Montgomery, Daniel Bernard Roumain, Nicole Mitchell, Cecile McLorin Salvant, and more.

These concerts feature soprano ANQWENIQUE; violinist Omari Abdul-Alim; violist Gloria Wide; pianist Irene Monteverde, and more.

Saturday, July 12 • 7:30PM • Attack Theatre, Lawrenceville

Sunday, July 13 • 3:00PM • Crafton United Presbyterian Church, Crafton

Tickets: Pay what you wish

Presented in partnership with Resonance Works, the Reson8 Vocal Octet celebrates the vibrant voices of LGBTQ+ creators in a soul-stirring concert of beauty and belonging. The program will  include works by Jennifer Higdon, Conrad Susa, Mari Esobel Valverde, Aaron Copland, Samuel Barber, Franz Schubert, Caroline Shaw, Leonard Bernstein, Ricky Ian Gordon, Stephen Sondheim, and more.

Reson8 features sopranos Charlene Canty and Amelia D’Arcy; mezzo-sopranos Timothi Williams and Zanna Fredland; tenors George Milosh and Andrew Bloomgarden; and baritones Daniel Teadt and Graham Fandrei.

ANQWENIQUE and Friends Celebrate Juneteenth

Saturday, June 14 • 2:00PM • East Liberty Presbyterian Church, East Liberty

Thursday, June 19 • 7:30PM • Emerald City PGH, Downtown

Saturday, July 12 • 7:30PM • Attack Theatre, Lawrenceville

Sunday, July 13 • 3:00PM • Crafton United Presbyterian Church, Crafton

Tickets are pay-what-you-wish and can be purchased online here for the June concerts and here for the July concerts. 

Pennsylvania’s Tallest Roller Coaster Returns with Record Setting Thrills Memorial Day Weekend

 It’s kick-off time at Kennywood Park for The Steel Curtain Roller Coaster. The highly anticipated, triple record-setting coaster will reopen to the general public on Saturday, May 24 at 11 a.m., with a ribbon cutting ceremony, remarks from the park’s General Manager, Ricky Spicuzza, and special guests joining from the Pittsburgh Steelers, including current players and alumni, to mark the official Grand Opening.

Standing a staggering 220 feet above the park, Pennsylvania’s tallest roller coaster, will return with its famed nine inversions, the most of any coaster in the United States including the highest in North America, this Memorial Day Weekend. To mark the grand return, Gold and Platinum Season Passholders will get exclusive first ride time on the coaster on Friday, May 23. Those interested in tackling record setting thrills early can save $40 on a Gold Season Pass now during the final days of the park’s Spring Pass Sale.

“Kennywood fans should get ready to reach speeds of nearly 80 miles per hour as they tackle every twist, turn, and touchdown-level drop starting this Memorial Day Weekend,” said General Manager, Ricky Spicuzza. “We can’t wait to reintroduce this iconic coaster to our guests. With a heightened focused on the Steel Curtain’s reliability, this summer, guests can expect to hop on for a ride during every visit to Kennywood.”

Featuring 4,000 feet of track, the Steel Curtain originally opened to riders in 2019. In 2024, the coaster began a yearlong modification project to increase the reliability and longevity of the ride. Through the project, the park worked with the ride’s manufacturer, S&S Worldwide, and third-party engineers to add three new columns and additional braces throughout the ride. This modification decreased the structural movement of the ride, ultimately allowing the coaster to make more cycles throughout its lifespan.

In addition to the grand return of The Steel Curtain, Kennywood’s longest season ever continues with the beginning of Bites and Pints Food & Drink Festival on Friday, May 23. Offering mouth-watering foods from around the world, this year’s event features two new countries, Cuba and Spain. Visitors’ taste buds will be thrilled as they make their way around the Kennywood Lagoon to eight tasting locations offering unique menu options at each booth.

The festivities continue throughout the weekend as the popular Nerveless Nocks return to Kennywood for the second year in a row. The Original Dare Devil Circus will take place at various times throughout the day at the Garden Stage from Friday, May 23, through Sunday, June 29. Guests will be on the edge of their seats watching one of the most legendary stunt families in circus history perform breathtaking acrobatics and motorcycle stunts.

Kennywood will be open every day beginning Friday, May 23 through Monday, August 18. Bites and Pints Food & Drink Festival runs Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from May 23 through June 29, plus Monday, May 26. Then, in July the park celebrates America with July 4 and 5 fireworks shows above the Lagoon and nine nights of Drone Shows July 11 through July 19, during the new All-American Summer. Kennywood will close out the 2025 season with Fall Fantasy Parades, Phantom Fall Fest and Holiday Lights.

The CitiParks Office of Special Events is pleased to announce the official schedule for the upcoming 2025 Summer Concert Series presented by Citizens. Featuring 23 events that are free and open to the public, this year’s concert series will include a performance by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, jazz legend Roger Humphries, as well as the return of the exciting new program “Jam at Grandview”.

On Saturday evenings in June and July, “Stars at Riverview” will again showcase stellar local artists in Riverview Park, including Roger Barbour and Hugo Cruz, with rotating food trucks on site. Each night of musical entertainment, which is supported by the Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD), encourages concertgoers to bring a lawn chair or blanket to Observatory Hill. Concerts will be followed by a showing of “Dollar Bank Cinema in the Park”.

“Bach, Beethoven, and Brunch” will continue to feature classical melodies in the gardens of Mellon Park. Presented with support from WQED-FM 89.3, attendees are invited to bring a picnic basket to be entered to win a prize in the weekly “Best Brunch” competition during intermission. Food and beverage options will also be available to enjoy from local vendors. These Sunday morning concerts in June and July will showcase area youth in week one with a performance from the Pittsburgh Youth Concert Orchestra, and welcome a return of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra to the program on July 13.

Pittsburgh’s finest jazz musicians return to the Highland Park lawn this August for the ever-popular “Reservoir of Jazz” series. Each Sunday afternoon concertgoers can enjoy local eats and smooth sounds from standout talent like the Lynn Speakman 6tet. New in 2025, craft vendors will be on site for Makers Markets on August 17 & 24. Following the concerts, guests are encouraged to stick around to enjoy “Summer Soul Line Dancing” sessions at the fountain. This series is supported by AARP Pennsylvania, WZUM Jazz, RAD, and the Highland Park Community Council.

Returning to rock the Pittsburgh skyline this August is “Jam at Grandview”, taking place Saturday evenings. Enjoy live music, local brews, and one of the City’s best views from the Grandview Park Bandstand as this new hit concert series entertains for a second year. Area favorites, including SamJAMwich, will entertain throughout the month. This program is made possible in partnership with RAD and Comcast.

“At Citizens, we’re proud to support Pittsburgh’s vibrant arts and culture scene through this exciting summer concert series,” said Mark Rendulic, Pittsburgh Market President at Citizens. “These events bring our community together, celebrate local talent, and create experiences that showcase the best of our city. We encourage community members to come out this summer and enjoy our city’s great parks and enjoy the music.”

For more information on the City of Pittsburgh’s “Summer Concert Series presented by Citizens”, visit www.pittsburghpa.gov/concerts. In case of inclement weather or event cancellation, follow @PghEventsOffice on X, Facebook, and Instagram for updates throughout the summer.

“Stars at Riverview”

Saturdays, June 7 – July 26

7 – 8:30 p.m.

Riverview Park – Observatory Hill

Refreshments available

June 7: Roger Barbour Music

June 14: Park/Hugo/McGraw

June 21: Hugo Cruz and Caminos

June 28: Lee Robinson & ISKA

July 5: Alexander Peck Trio

July 12: Paul Thompson’s Waynetet

July 19: Steel City Calypso

July 26: Erin Burkett, Virgil Walters & Friends

“Bach, Beethoven, and Brunch”

Sundays, June 22 – July 27 (no concert July 6)

10:30 a.m. – Noon

Mellon Park – Fifth and Shady Avenues, Point Breeze/Squirrel Hill

Refreshments available

June 22: Pittsburgh Youth Concert Orchestra

June 29: Cello Fury

July 13:  Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra

July 20:  Chamber Music Pittsburgh

July 27: North Pittsburgh Flute Society

“Reservoir of Jazz”

Sundays, August 3 – 31

5 – 7 p.m.

Highland Park – Highland Avenue & Reservoir Drive

Refreshments available

August 3: Roger Humphries & RH Factor

August 10: Lynn Speakman 6tet

August 17: Thomas Wendt Quartet

August 24: Paul Cosentino’s Boilermaker Jazz Band

August 31: Scott Boni Quartet

“Jam at Grandview”

Saturdays, August 2 –30

7 – 8:30 p.m.

Grandview Park Bandstand – Bailey Avenue, Mt. Washington

Refreshments available

August 2: Sunny Daze & The Weathermen

August 9: 9FiftySeven

August 16: M.E.L.T.

August 23: Wild Blue Yonder

August 30: SamJAMwich

The landmark retrospective introduces Pittsburgh to the prolific, globe-trotting sculptor whose rebellious thinking and obsessive drive helped reshape the story of 20th-century American art. 

— The August Wilson African American Cultural Center (AWAACC), in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) and Art Bridges, proudly presents Determined to Be: The Sculpture of John Rhoden, on view from May 5 through October 27, 2025. This is the first major retrospective of 20th-century African American sculptor John W. Rhoden (1916–2001), a groundbreaking artist whose life and legacy have been largely overlooked in mainstream American art history. The opening reception will be held in AWAACC’s Highmark Room from 7:00pm-9:00pm on Thursday May 8.

Spanning more than five decades of Rhoden’s extraordinary career, Determined to Be features over 40 works in bronze, wood, and stone, alongside never before seen archival materials, letters, and photographs. Through immersive galleries anchored by the artist’s migration—from the American South to New York, across Europe, and into Asia—the exhibition traces the arc of Rhoden’s career and his transformation into an international cultural ambassador. 

“John Rhoden’s artistic journey is one of bold creativity, global exploration, and resilience,” said Janis Burley, President & CEO/Artistic Director of AWAACC. “His artistic vision stands as a testament to the power of sculpture as a vehicle for cultural expression and social change. We are proud to celebrate his legacy here in Pittsburgh. This exhibition is a stark reminder of the Black artists whose excellence has too often been excluded from the canon. It’s an honor to help change that.” 

Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Rhoden defied the social limitations of his time through education, mentorship, and relentless curiosity. He earned accolades including a Fulbright Fellowship, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and the Prix de Rome. In the 1950s and ’60s, he traveled the world as part of U.S. cultural diplomacy efforts, creating large-scale sculptures and building artistic bridges from Indonesia to Italy. Despite his success, Rhoden’s work has not been the subject of a major monograph or solo museum exhibition—until now. 

Originally organized by PAFA, where Rhoden’s archive is held, the exhibition includes sculptures from his early years in New York to monumental wood carvings from his time in Indonesia. The show explores major themes in his work, from spiritual iconography and global mythology to portraiture and public art. 

Determined to Be is more than a retrospective—it’s a reclamation of place and purpose for an artist who helped shape the visual language of modern America. With its arrival at AWAACC, the exhibition continues a national conversation about equity in the arts, cultural memory, and the transformative power of travel, education, and creative networks. 

ABOUT AUGUST WILSON AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER  

The August Wilson African American Cultural Center is a nonprofit cultural organization located in Pittsburgh’s Cultural District that generates artistic, educational, and community initiatives that advance the legacy of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson. One of the largest cultural centers in the country focused exclusively on the African American experience and the celebration of Black culture and the African diaspora, the non-profit organization welcomes more than 100,000 visitors locally and nationally. Through year-round programming across multiple genres, such as the annual Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival, Black Bottom Film Festival, AWCommunity Days, TRUTHSayers speaker series, and rotating art exhibits in its galleries, the Center provides a platform for established and emerging artists of color whose work reflects the universal issues of identity that Wilson tackled, and which still resonate today. Major support for AWAACC’s operations is provided by Richard King Mellon Foundation, Henry L. Hillman Foundation, Heinz Endowments, and the Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD). AWAACC’s programming is made possible by generous support from its donors. For a complete list, visit our website: awaacc.org

Fri, Jun 20 - Sun, Jun 22, 2025

• Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
• HEINZ HALL

JUN 20 FRI 7:30 PM 

JUN 21 SAT 7:30 PM  

JUN 22 SUN 2:30 PM 

Honoring the true Kings of classic soul with greatest hits from legendary artists Marvin Gaye, Jackie Wilson, James Brown, Otis Redding, The Temptations, Al Green, Barry White, Smokey Robinson, and Curtis Mayfield, including “Soul Man,” “Shop Around,” “Stand By Me” and more. 

• Click for Tickets

OWNING OUR FUTURE  | KEYNOTE SPEAKER 

Shyla Spicer
CEO, Native Arts and Cultures Foundation 

Friday, May 16

6:00pm - 6:45pm

Kelly Strayhorn Theater | 5941 Penn Ave.
Pay What Moves You Single Tix: $15 - $30
Pay What Moves You Pass: $150 - $300

Shyla Spicer from the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation explores the role of creative land stewardship in Indigenous self-determination and how securing space for cultural expression strengthens Native communities.

Learn More! 

The August Wilson African American Cultural Center is honored to host the 2nd Annual Envisioning A Just Pittsburgh exhibition, a powerful showcase of award-winning works from local artists who are shaping the vision for a more equitable and inclusive future. This exhibition celebrates the diverse voices and creative expressions that challenge, inspire, and offer profound insights into what an equitable Pittsburgh could be. Featuring a dynamic range of visual arts, performance art, and interdisciplinary works, the exhibition offers a space for reflection and dialogue on justice, equity, and community.

Envisioning A Just Pittsburgh is a region-wide initiative and collaboration between the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, The August Wilson African American Cultural Center, and 1Hood Media. This initiative expands diversity consciousness and honors intersectional perspectives, giving space to creative expressions from artists of all ages.

Plan Your Visit

The Westmoreland Museum of American Art is excited to announce the upcoming featured exhibition, Our Own Work, Our Own Way: Southern Modern Women Artists, running from Sunday, February 9, to Sunday, May 18, 2025. This exhibition highlights the significant contributions of women artists whose legacies were shaped by their experiences in the American South. The presentation of this exhibition also marks the launch of The Westmoreland’s Year of Women Artists, a yearlong initiative dedicated to celebrating the significant and often underrepresented contributions of women artists to American art history.

“Our Own Work, Our Own Way challenges the traditional narratives of American modern art by moving towards a more inclusive representation of the artists who helped shape it,” said Director/CEO Silvia Filippini-Fantoni, PhD. “We are pleased to share this important exhibition with our audiences to kick off the Year of Women Artists.”

Drawn from the exceptional holdings of The Johnson Collection, Our Own Work, Our Own Way brings together works by over 40 artists, including Anni Albers, Elaine de Kooning, Alma Thomas, and Ida Kohlmeyer, and spans the 1940s to the 2000s. The artists represented in the exhibition transcended the boundaries of their time, creating powerful work that challenged traditional gender roles and broke artistic conventions. While the South was slow to embrace gender equality, many of these artists found a supportive and nurturing environment within creative communities there. Despite the challenges they faced, these women helped define modernism and left their mark on the South’s artistic landscape. 

“We are thrilled to partner with The Westmoreland in presenting Our Own Work, Our Own Way as we travel this exhibition to a venue outside the South for the first time,” said Sarah F. Tignor, Director of The Johnson Collection. “It is wonderful to utilize our collection to shine a light on these groundbreaking women artists.”

The presentation of Our Own Work, Our Own Way: Southern Modern Women Artists is made possible by The Johnson Collection.

Year of Women Artists at The Westmoreland
Today, women remain vastly underrepresented in the art world, with studies showing that their work makes up only 13% of major American museum collections. The Year of Women Artists at The Westmoreland brings attention to this imbalance through a dynamic roster of exhibitions and events throughout 2025 centered on American women artists from a variety of backgrounds and eras.

In addition to Our Own Work, Our Own Way, the Museum will present A Fountain of Forms: The Rise of the American Woman Sculptor, 1910–1929 (April 11–December 31, 2025), showcasing bronzes by Harriet Whitney Frishmuth, Malvina Hoffman, and Janet Scudder from the collection of Dr. Michael L. Nieland. These sculptors used representations of the female form to assert their individuality and autonomy in an age of increasing patriarchal control. 

The Museum will also host the following: Pennsylvania in Progress (opening January 18, 2025), including photography by Aaronel deRoy Gruber and works by other women artists; Cecilia Beaux: Inventing the Modern Portrait (opening June 14, 2025), which unpacks Beaux’s path-breaking approach to crafting the modern portrait; The Art of Elizabeth Catlett from the Samella Lewis Collection (September 7, 2025–January 4, 2026), celebrating Catlett’s achievements in sculpture and printmaking; and Brynn Hurlstone: Resonance (opening September 7, 2025), a large-scale immersive installation by Hurlstone.

Additionally, the Museum’s Year of Women Artists will feature a wide range of events designed to foster deeper engagement. For more information about Year of Women Artists exhibitions and events, please visitthewestmoreland.org/yowa.

The Westmoreland’s 2025 exhibition program is generously supported by the Hillman Foundation and The Heinz Endowments. Installations activating the Museum’s permanent collection are supported by Sebastian Mueller Charitable Fund of the Eden Hall Foundation. Support for Cecilia Beaux: Inventing the Modern Portrait is provided by Art Bridges.  Additional support for The Art of Elizabeth Catlett from the Samella Lewis Collection is provided by Arts, Equity, & Education Fund™.