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Find Your Family Fun at the 2023 Three Rivers Arts Festival

Full Lineup of Performing and Visual Arts Events at the 2023 Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival

By Emily Papa May 25, 2023

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is bringing back the 64th annual Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival to the Cultural District from June 2-11, featuring ten days of free art and music for the whole community. Hundreds of regional and national artists, as well as previously announced music concerts, will perform on multiple stages and showcase gallery exhibitions, public art, film, theater, creative activities for all ages, and the popular Artist Market. Visitors can find artists and events by day and genre on the TrustArts.org/TRAF website.

The Festival Director of Management for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Sarah Aziz, stated that after the success of last year’s Festival, located entirely in the Cultural District, they are looking forward to delivering a full spectrum of free arts and entertainment experiences in an improved layout for both Pittsburgh residents and visitors. The President and CEO of Dollar Bank, James McQuade, expressed his excitement in partnering with the Cultural Trust for this year’s event.



One of the exciting features for families of the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival is the Giant Eagle Creativity Zone, located at Trust Oasis (133 7th Street). With 20 arts organizations and community partners from throughout the region, families can engage in hands-on activities every day from 12 pm to 6 pm. The Creativity Zone provides a great opportunity for children and parents to explore and discover new forms of art and creativity together, making it a must-visit destination during the festival. Plus, with new organizations joining the lineup each day, there's always something new to experience and enjoy!

The festival will also showcase visual arts attractions, such as the annual Juried Visual Art Exhibition, which will display new and exceptional art by regional artists selected by a guest panel in a blind jury process. This year’s show, Taking Up Space, will be at SPACE Gallery (812 Liberty Ave) and will focus on how artists take up space within their practices physically, psychologically, emotionally, and relationally. Another notable attraction is the Artist Market, which will host over 300 artists for the first time since before the pandemic.




Additionally, three multidisciplinary public art attractions will take place at the nearby Backyard at 8th & Penn, including Utterance, a mixed-media sculpture exploring how humans need to quiet the noise to hear and be heard, created by Pittsburgh-based sculptor Jim West. Los Angeles-based artist Laurie Shapiro will feature her 12’x12’x18’ installation titled We Are All Connected To Each Other Through Nature, and Squonk’s Hand to Hand, featuring two giant puppet hands, each the size of a house and rigged like a sailing ship, will perform.

The festival will also host various performances, including shows on the Green Mountain Energy Stage, and the Giant Eagle Creativity Zone will return with over 20 arts organizations and community partners providing hands-on activities for families. The Harris Theater will feature free screenings, including the political thriller with a rock band at the heart of the action, What the Hell Happened to Blood, Sweat, and Tears; the story of the Black queer origins of rock ‘n’ roll, Little Richard: I Am Everything; and the behind-the-scenes documentary featuring Thelonious Monk, Rewind and Play. Lastly, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s gallery spaces will be activated, with extended hours to match the festival's operation.




All events are subject to change. Lineup changes and additions will be continually updated at TrustArts.org/TRAF.