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Saturday, October 5, 2024 | |
A family poses for a photograph in front of Furnace #7 at the 2023 Festival of Combustion. | |
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It is festival day—we're so excited! It's the most fun we have all year! And we couldn't have asked for better weather either. Tours and hands-on activities are from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. Demonstrations, marketplace, music, and performances are throughout the day. The iron pour should last into the early evening, and the woodfire ceramic reveal is at twilight, followed by fireworks! Come on by to the Carrie Blast Furnaces, and get your tickets at the gate.
As if that weren't enough—we have so much news to share today. Let's get started!
Rivers of Steel is seeking a President and CEO. After 35 years, our founding President and CEO, August Carlino, will be retiring in the spring. Rivers of Steel has engaged Nonprofit Talent to assist with this important organizational change. Applications are due by October 30.
Our Mini-Grant Program application window is open now through November 5, 2024. Nonprofits and municipalities can apply for $1,000 to $25,000 in funding.
Rivers of Steel is about to launch a community-based arts program called Creating Legends: Graffiti Writers of the Past, Present, and Future. Murals will be popping up around the Mon Valley, local youth will be engaged, and there are opportunities for you to get involved too. Read the article by Jordan Snowden, and then sign up for a special tour at Carrie or the Artist Panel Discussion at The Andy Warhol Museum.
On October 24, we'll be hosting writer Sherrie Flick at the Pump House for a conversation about and readings from her new book, Homing: Instincts of a Rustbelt Feminist. Join us for the discussion, led by Amy Camp, as we explore a sense of place in southwestern Pennsylvania through these essays.
Programs update: Carrie: After Dark is nearly sold out. That said, we have room for more folks in the Doodle Bowl Experience metal arts workshop next week and for the Sunset Photo Safari.
Throughout the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area, there are plenty of other fall festivals. Check out this list from NEXTpittsburgh. Add to that list the Pumpkin Patch Trolley and the Trick or Trolley events at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum. There's also a Whiskey Rebellion Festival at the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden; stop by our table there to say hello. And when you're driving around to all of these events, you might want to listen to the Introducing Cement City podcast about Donora, Pennsylvania.
Happy fall, y'all!
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FEATURED STORY
Creating Legends: Graffiti Writers of the Past, Present, and Future
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Running from October 14 – 20, Creating Legends is multilayered, community-based program that serves as a weeklong residency for select local, national, and international artists to engage with youth, create new murals, and participate in free public events at The Warhol and the Carrie Blast Furnaces. Read about the work Rivers of Steel is doing in local communities in partnership with the Hemispheric Conversations Urban Arts Project. | |
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RIVERS OF STEEL NEWS
Seeking a President and CEO & Grant Funding Opportunity
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Some opportunities come around once a year, like our Mini-Grant Program application window, and others are once in a lifetime, like the chance to oversee all aspects of Rivers of Steel’s operations, facilities, office, and staff. Take a look and please share with those who might be interested! | |
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SPECIAL EVENT
Homing: Exploring a Sense of Place in Southwestern Pennsylvania
Thursday, October 24, Pump House
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Join Rivers of Steel for a special evening in conversation with writer Sherrie Flick. Her latest publication, Homing: Instincts of a Rustbelt Feminist, is a collection of autobiographical essays that traces her journey from her hometown of Beaver Falls to her cultivated home on the South Side Slopes, with time spent living on the East Coast, West Coast, and a significant stop in between. Guiding the conversation with Flick is Amy Camp, who as a trails and tourism consultant is a woman who knows how to explore a sense of place. From the boom and bust of a steel town adolescence to the vibrant communities these women help to shape today, Rivers of Steel explores perspectives of life in the Rust Belt. Free; registration is required. | |
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FEATURED TOUR
Carrie: After Dark
Fridays, October 11 and 18, Carrie Blast Furnaces
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Join Rivers of Steel for this special experience at the Carrie Blast Furnaces that weaves stories both historical and mystical to present the perils of working in one of America’s most dangerous businesses. With respect to the souls who departed this revered site while on the job—and to those souls who may remain onsite—we’ll share their stories, along with paranormal investigators’ accounts of what they have personally experienced at this National Historic Landmark.
Please note: Some descriptions of the historical accounts are quite graphic. Tours are for adults (18+) only. Bring a flashlight. Space is limited. Don’t wait on this one—only a few tickets remain!
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METAL ARTS WORKSHOP
The Doodle Bowl Experience
October 13, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m., Carrie Blast Furnaces
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Not your typical “sip and paint” party, this workshop has quickly become one of Rivers of Steel’s most in-demand programs. With guidance from Rivers of Steel’s metal arts team, you’ll design and carve a bowl that is cast in solid aluminum. Take home your new, functional work of art at the end of the night. No experience is needed—just bring your creativity, a friend, and your own beverage. | |
The artist panel discussion at The Warhol in December 2022 for the Industrial Grit and Graffiti program. | |
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ARTIST PANEL DISCUSSION
Creating Legends: Graffiti Writers of the Past, Present, and Future
Friday, October 18, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m., The Andy Warhol Museum Theater
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Join Rivers of Steel & Hemispheric Conversations Urban Art Project for a panel discussion featuring nationally recognized muralists and graffiti artists Mr. June, Sef, Mike 171, and Henry 161. Part of the Creating Legends program, the project brings together local, national, and international muralists to celebrate the origins of modern graffiti and its influence across generations. Moderated by Emma Riva and co-presented with The Andy Warhol Museum. Free; registration is required. | |
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SPECIAL EDITION
Hands-On Graffiti Tour
Saturday, October 19, 1:00 – 3:30 p.m., Carrie Blast Furnaces
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Join Rivers of Steel mural artist Scott Brozovich on a tour of the international collection of graffiti murals located at the Carrie Blast Furnaces. Learn about the individual works of art and the overall history and culture of graffiti. After your tour, you’ll have a chance to try it for yourself. In this hands-on experience, you’ll have fun learning the basics of graffiti-writing techniques!
SPECIAL EDITION: For this date only, artists Henry 161 and Mike 171, aka The Boys from the Heights, will help lead the tour and workshop. Also Mr. June and A.L. Grime will be onsite to paint solo murals, while Sef and REVER are set to paint together as part of the Creating Legends program!
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PHOTOGRAPHY SESSION
Sunset Photo Safari
Sunday, October 20, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m., Carrie Blast Furnaces
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Join Rivers of Steel at dusk for a unique photo safari that explores the Carrie Blast Furnaces during twilight. Witness the beauty and subtlety of the site as only seen through half-light, and capture your own piece of the drama to take home. This safari is recommended for those with prior experience shooting low-light subject matter, but it is open to both novice and experienced photographers alike. Attendees can expect an open shooting experience with very little interruption, guidance, or interference. Take inspiration from the wide vistas or the delicate details at this National Historic Landmark site. | |
THINGS TO DO IN THE NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA | | |
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Pumpkin Patch Trolley and
Trick or Trolley
Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, Washington, PA
Autumn at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum just got much more magical! Join them for a trolley ride to their pumpkin patch, or trick or treat among the antique streetcars later in the month.
Prices vary. See the schedule of events.
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Whiskey Rebellion Festival
October 24, 2024, 5:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Join the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden as they celebrate the Whiskey Rebellion with early Americana tunes, displays by artisans, artists, and historical organizations, and snacks reminiscent of the 1790s. Local author and historian Brady Crytzer will describe the factors leading up to this tax protest, the characters involved, and the significance to our region. A tour of the Walker-Ewing-Glass Log House and a whiskey / moonshine tasting are included.
$25 – 35; advance registration required.
Learn more.
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Support Rivers of Steel's work in communities throughout the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area. Your tax-deductible contribution will help champion community collaborations and ensure that Rivers of Steel can continue to offer vital, engaging, community-based arts, education, and heritage programs for the residents of southwestern Pennsylvania and beyond. | | | | |
