Patterns Artists Contribute to Piatt Esplanade Groundbreaking
Patterns of Meaning artists participated in a pop-up exhibition marking the groundbreaking of the Esplanade, a major riverfront redevelopment project on Pittsburgh’s North Side. The pop-up was part of a broader civic event to launch construction of Piatt Companies' mixed-use development along the Ohio River.
The artwork featured in the pop-up centered on paintings by artist Mia Tarducci, with contributions from the other members of the Patterns artistic team, who also assisted in preparing and activating the site for the installation.
Installed within an existing structure that would soon be demolished after the event, the work added color, texture, and visual interest, elevating the space while honoring its history and Pittsburgh's industrial heritage.
Staging Art in the Patterns of Meaning Workshop
Art Meets Industry
Patterns of Meaning focuses on the creative and innovative aspects of industry and how making, building, and craft inform both history and contemporary life. The inclusion of this artwork at the Esplanade groundbreaking reflects this mission in practice.
The integration of art into the Esplanade event also aligns with Piatt Companies’ vision of honoring Pittsburgh’s industrial history while adapting former industrial sites for new uses. Incorporating artwork into the groundbreaking acknowledged the site’s past while marking its next phase.
As Pittsburgh continues to adapt former industrial spaces, opportunities like this highlight the role artists can play in shaping how change is experienced while bringing care, attention, and context to places undergoing transformation.
Art at the Esplanade Groundbreaking Event
Looking Ahead
Patterns of Meaning will continue to contribute to conversations about industrial heritage, preservation, and transformation, whether through pop-ups, exhibitions, educational initiatives, or future partnerships connected to evolving sites across the region.