When South Side bar and restaurant Streets on Carson first started advertising its art show "For the Children," benefitting Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh, only 10 artists were listed as participating.
Yesterday, the event raised $1,650 for the local charity thanks to the help of 22 artists participating in the show.
Half of all art sales and drink specials were donated. The benefit show, curated by Jeremy Murray, Nicole Betters, and Richard Koskas III, included a lot of street art-inspired paintings, which fit in perfectly with the vibrant decor of the South Side restaurant. The family-friendly event also included hands-on children's activities.
"Making food and stuff is cool, but having the venue and vessel to showcase our incredibly talented friends with the end result being able to benefit our community is bar none," say owners Lauren and Matt Christie, the latter just named Best Chef in Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh City Paper's Best of Pittsburgh readers' poll.
Artists included Jewels Antonio, Nick Shriner, Michael Cipollone, Matt Spahr, Dante Lombardi, Kenn Fadeley, Gabrielle Fisch, Hilary Zozula, and more.
"We are lucky enough to be in a position to be able to give back, and we try to do so whenever we can, especially when it directly benefits children," Christie says, adding they chose Big Brothers and Big Sisters because the donations "will go directly towards helping children in the community."
The owners say they plan to continue to host more art shows, which will be listed both online and on the restaurant's Instagram page.
Below are highlights from the show by CP's Nick Pagano.
Over 20 Pittsburgh artists join for art show, raise more than $1,500 for local charity
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