“We are proud of our artists
and we are proud to be from
Pittsburgh and proud to show
off what Pittsburghers can do.”
T
he thought of standing in a department store line
to buy another sweater for a relative who will likely
return it—or grabbing a gift card for a friend at the
checkout—is enough to zap the holiday spirit out of most
of us.
And that is why, in the sea of big-box stores, having
a convenient way to buy original gifts from local artists
is a much more meaningful option. Many wish that the
Three Rivers Arts Festival was available year-round, but
thankfully there’s The Artsmiths of Pittsburgh.
“The marketplace doesn’t look like us,” says Kate
McGrady, Mt. Lebanon resident and cofounder of The
Artsmiths. “Everything is mass-produced, and to come
into a space that has as much artwork as we do... you can
see the hand-crafted nature of it and when you see the
difference, you can understand and identify that it has
a very unique appeal. People who come here fall in love
with shopping this way.”
Located in the former Rollier’s barn, the iconic
landmark where McFarland Road splits with Beverly
Road, The Artsmiths includes a 10,000-square-foot art
and cultural center with offerings from approximately 250
Pittsburgh artists.
A feast for the eyes, ears and palate, visitors can view
art at an exhibition gallery; shop at the retail store that
contains all mediums of local, handmade artwork; enjoy
a meal at the café featuring some of the Strip District’s
finest; or listen to a live musical performance. Art classes
and lectures are also available for those who want to
develop a skill or learn something new.
Kate Wagle Hitmar, The Artsmiths’ cofounder and
creative director, chooses the art. “There are many
considerations when selecting artists and work to
showcase at The Artsmiths,” she says. “The artists
must be local to the Greater Pittsburgh region. Works
must be created with a high level of care, quality and
craftsmanship, and hold our attention with their
uniqueness. The commitment of the artists to their
work should be evident, and we should see that they are
continually striving and pushing the envelope.”
The idea for The Artsmiths came out of necessity when
McGrady’s former art boutique, Kool Cat Designs, which
she opened in 2006, needed to expand.
“Most of the organizations that represent art at this
level are