Three Rivers Arts Competition is again on a a lot bigger scale after a yr off – CBS Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – After the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival 2020 was held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic, the city is taking over the city.

The summer favorite is coming back on a much larger scale this year. The festival will span the entire cultural district and pour into Point State Park, where the main stage was set up.

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“It’s really emotional this morning to see the festival set up, to see the stage, to have the signage and to think about where we’ve come,” said Sarah Aziz.

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Staff and volunteers have to wear masks and there will be more to do as things get spread out.

“Make sure you are wearing comfortable walking shoes,” said Aziz. “Otherwise you have many of your festival favorites.”

This includes the delicious fair food and live music both in Point State Park and on the Riverside Stage in Allegheny Overlook Pop-up Park.

Along the way you will find a stage on Fort Duquesne Boulevard. You’ll also find loads of food, public art exhibits, markets, and galleries from more than 150 local artists here.

Dr. Amber Epps is one of them. She and 12 other women have an exhibit called “#NotWhite Collective” in the gallery on Liberty Avenue.

“I feel with some of us that it gave us the opportunity to make art that we wouldn’t have done last year,” said Epps.

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The exhibition includes works by women, all of whom are not white, and challenges people to think from the perspective of others. It runs until August.

Artists Laura Junge and Chris Jackson own the Jackson Junge Gallery in Chicago.

“I’m looking forward to being with people again,” said Laura. “Part of the creative process is wonderful when you’re alone, but it’s also part of sharing it and making a living.”

The two have been selling their pieces at the festival for around 15 years.

“We don’t often have 15 months to concentrate on the artwork,” says Junge. “After the initial shock of ‘How should we do this?’ We decided to get creative and use the time wisely. We have a lot of new things that we would like to show people. “

They hope that visitors will enjoy their pictures but also feel comfortable walking around.

“It will be small steps to get back to normal,” said Jackson. “This is a great venue because it’s wide open in the park.”

“It’s all the wonderful things you want from an art fair,” said Junge. “I don’t think it will rain on us this year.”

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The Three Rivers Arts Festival runs until June 13th and is open from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Friday.