Shiftworkspgh

Artists of southwestern Pennsylvania, applications are being accepted for the Pittsburgh Creative Corps. The deadline for the fall review period is Monday, September 14, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET.

Do you have questions about the application? Shiftworks is hosting a virtual information session via Zoom this Thursday, August 13, frm 10 - 11 AM. This is an opportunity to review the application process and bring your questions directly to Shiftworks staff. To register, please visit: https://shiftworkspgh.org/artist-opportunities/office-of-public-art-opportunities/pittsburgh-creative-corps-spring-review-2026/

Not sure if you're eligible? The Creative Corps is open to all artists living and working in southwestern Pennsylvania, including those in visual arts, literary, performance, and other forms of practice. Artists who identify as established public artists, early/mid-career artists, and artists whose practice is poised for an opportunity in the public realm, regardless of career level and who fulfill the review criteria are encouraged to apply.

On behalf of Friends of the Riverfront, Shiftworks is seeking artists and artist teams to compete in the third annual Slammin' Cans mural arts festival at Color Park, located along the Three Rivers Heritage Trail in Pittsburgh's South Side neighborhood. Artists and artist teams with little or no mural experience are encouraged to apply. All participating artists will receive hands-on mural-making instruction prior to the event.

This RFQ is open to any artist or artist team who has not participated in a previous Slammin' Cans event and who lives and works within the 13-county region of southwestern Pennsylvania.

Co-organized by muralist and Pittsburgh Creative Corps artist Max Gonzales, the festival will feature ten artists or artist teams competing for a commission opportunity to design beer can artwork for a beer produced by one of the three participating member breweries of the Pittsburgh Brewers Guild.

Important Dates:
Virtual Artist Information Session: Thursday, August 20 from 3 - 4 PM
In-Person Artist Information Session: Thursday, August 27 from 6 - 7 PM at Color Park
Application Deadline: Monday, September 14, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET

For more information and to read the full RFQ, please visit: https://shiftworkspgh.org/artist-opportunities/slammin-cans-2026/

Next Wednesday, join artist Makenzie O'Connor aboard Shore Thing for "Kinetic Instruments: Objects for Play and Noticing."

This hands-on workshop invites participants to reflect on stagnation and movement through the making of small kinetic sculptures. Using paper, pliable plant materials, and waxed linen thread, participants will tie, glue, stitch, and assemble materials to create objects that respond to wind, gesture, and interaction.

Together, we'll slow down, pay attention, and discover how movement can transform the unseen into something visible and shared.

This workshop will take place from 12 - 2 PM on Wednesday, August 12. It is free and open to the public, but advanced registration is required. For more information and to register, please: https://shiftworkspgh.org/our-work/public-programming/shore-thing-workshops-2026/

This workshop is part of the Pittsburgh Creative Corps artist program series, presented by Shiftworks and made possible by the City of Pittsburgh's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Arts Programming Initiative.

Photo by Vania Evangelique

Congratulations to our friends and partners at Riverlife!

Shore Thing has been recognized by the Urban Land Institute (ULI) as one of the best new developments in the Western Hemisphere. The floating platform is one of nine winners of the 2026 ULI Americas Awards for Excellence.

"Built on ten small barges, the new space has brought visitors together through art, play, and community – offering more than 70 free programs in its 2026 season."

Shiftworks wants to give a special shout out to the artists who have had a part in Shore Thing: Fran Flaherty for the shade canopy in 2025, Janel Young for the mural on the decks of the barges, and La Vispera for the shade canopy in 2026. You can also attend workshops with Pittsburgh Creative Corps artists, now through September.

Riverlife’s Shore Thing Named Winner of International Award for Development - Riverlife The Urban Land Institute (ULI) selected Shore Thing as one of nine winners of a prestigious international honor: the 2026 ULI Americas Awards for Excellence

This Wednesday, July 29 from 12 - 2 PM, join Celeste Neuhaus at Shore Thing for the workshop Pollinate Your Creative Flow.

Participants will engage with the river and local ecosystem to discover the interconnections between their creative process, the act of pollination, and the element of water. Through writing prompts and guided watercolor explorations, participants will be supported through making contact with their creative blocks, allowing for these blocks to release and metamorphosize into flow. No prior experience necessary to participate.

This event is free and open to the public, but advanced registration is required. For more information and to register, please visit: https://shiftworkspgh.org/event/shiftworks-at-shore-thing-pollinate-your-creative-flow-with-celeste-neuhaus/

This workshop is part of the Pittsburgh Creative Corps artist program series, presented by Shiftworks Community + Public Arts and made possible by the City of Pittsburgh's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Arts Programming initiative.



Photo by Anna Brewer.

Light Through Color is a hands-on workshop that demonstrates the same process and uses the same materials that La Vispera uses to create artwork like the shade structure on Shore Thing.

This workshop will be held from 12 - 2 PM aboard Shore Thing. It is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required. Visit the link to register today!

https://shiftworkspgh.org/our-work/public-programming/shore-thing-workshops-2026/

Photo courtesy the artists.

Shiftworks at Shore Thing - where we're shifting expectations for public art this summer and fall.

Starting July 15, join Pittsburgh Creative Corps artists for a series of bi-weekly workshops on Wednesdays from 12 - 2 PM at Riverlife's Shore Thing. The workshops offers something for everyone from hands-on art making to reflective and restorative practices. Artists leading workshops are: La Vispera, Celeste Neuhaus, Makenzie O'Connor, and Ayana Sade / Yayas Haus.

You can take a look at the full schedule at the link. Workshops are free and open to the public, but advanced registration is required.

https://shiftworkspgh.org/our-work/public-programming/shore-thing-workshops-2026/



Photo courtesy of Riverlife

Pittsburgh’s most colorful kick-off to summer returns to Isabella Street, Allegheny Landing, and the North Shore. Shiftworks will be there with our friends from BOOM Concepts, and Pittsburgh Creative Corps artist Quaishawn Whitlock will be doing hands-on silk screen demonstrations. We hope to see you there!

You can find the Shiftworks tent in Allegheny Landing.

Chalk Fest is Saturday, May 30 from 2 PM - 6 PM and Sunday, May 31 from 10 AM - 2 PM. For more information, please visit: https://riverlifepgh.org/chalkfest/

Image: Artist Quaishawn Whitlock during Chalk Fest 2025. Photo by Hannah Colen

There's a monster overlooking the Allegheny River... an adorable one!

Ogua, created by artist Isla Hansen, is green and scaly but also lovable. They stand watch near the end of the Roberto Clemente Bridge, and you are invited to visit. Take photos. Hang out. Climb on Ogua. (Just be careful!)

Ogua was commissioned by Shiftworks in collaboration with Riverlife and the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh’s Tough Art Program. Funding for the project was provided by Let’s Play, PGH!, a program of Remake Learning.

📸 Photos by Tom Little

Have you registered for the upcoming Book Tour with local writers Hattie Fletcher and Sherrie Flick?

Next Monday, Fletcher and Flick will lead a tour around Oakland, retracing notable settings and scenes from Michael Chabon's debut novel, "The Mysteries of Pittsburgh." Chabon began working on this novel as an undergraduate at the University of Pittsburgh and the characters in the book travel widely around the city.

For more information and to register, please visit: https://shiftworkspgh.org/event/book-tour-mysteries-of-pittsburgh/

Please note that Michael Chabon will not be in attendance on this tour.

If you are attending Michael Chabon's lecture on Monday evening, this tour will start and end at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Main branch in Oakland.