Last Thursday at the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater, Penn Avenue Arts Initiative, artists, community members and supporters rocked down Penn Avenue at the video release party, Electric Avenue: A Celebration of Today’s Penn Avenue. The 20-minute documentary outlines the development of the Penn Avenue Arts District and highlights numerous artists and art organizations who have made Penn Avenue their home.
The 12-block stretch of artistically-influenced organizations and business on Penn Avenue have many success stories. Artist-residents and nearly a dozen arts groups have congregated along the main street, stretching through Bloomfield, Garfield and Friendship. These organizations and businesses include Pittsburgh Glass Center, Dance Alloy and Attack Theater. These groups proactively engage residents through their art and bring vitality and a sense of community to the district. Read more about the Penn Avenue Arts Initiative, or visit the PAAI website.

The event featured the Penn Avenue video, complete with popcorn and candy, “Tone/Over Tone,” an accordion, flute duo, as well as puppets and an art auction. The artwork, by Laura McLaughlin, raised money for PAAI’s Artist Loan and Grant Fund. The event drew about 100 people of all ages.