Pittsburgh Cultural Trust to Host Second Saturday Art Workshops on Jan 11

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has announced that two workshops will be offered on Saturday, January 11, 2014, from 11am - 2pm, at the Trust Arts Education Center, 805-807 Liberty Avenue, in downtown Pittsburgh. Upcycle Your Style! is for students in grades 6, 7 and 8; and Jewelry Making is for participants ages 15 and older. The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust's Education and Community Engagement department programs Second Saturday Art Workshops throughout the year.

"We are excited and pleased to begin the new year of Second Saturday Art Workshops with two sessions tailored for children, teens, and adults, presented by experienced educators. Through these art workshops, participants can express themselves within a fun and positive learning environment," comments Tracy L. Edmunds, Director of Arts Education with the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.

Upcycle Your Style! workshop for students grade 6, 7 and 8 will be led by Alison K. Babusci, a Pittsburgh-born artist, professional storyteller, educator and arts education consultant. In this 3-hour workshop, participants will learn fun techniques to personalize, transform and embellish a favorite clothing item. Participants should bring a few clothing items they have permission to transform, including two T-shirts and a pair of socks. The fee for this workshop is $35.

Jewelry Making workshop for those ages 15 and older will be led by jewelry artist Olga Mihaylova. Participants will make their own beautifully designed bracelet in this 3-hour workshop. Mihaylova is nationally known for her intricate, handcrafted beadwork and specializes in unique necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Mihaylova's design, color choices and techniques give a modern twist to traditional beaded jewelry. Born and raised in Bulgaria and now residing in Pittsburgh, Mihaylova is a previous Best in Show winner of the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival, a 10-day event held in June each year and produced by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. The fee for this workshop is $50, including materials.

Reservations are recommended. For more information, visit www.trustarts.org/education/community/workshops/ or call the Education and Community Engagement department at 412-471-6079.

Upcoming Second Saturday Art Workshops in 2014 include, February 8: Jewelry Making: The Elizabeth Taylor Bracelet, and Oz Puppets Workshop; March 8: How to Approach a Gallery For Representation, and Mosaics Workshop for High School Students; April 12: Master the Portrait Workshop, and Swimmy, Frederick & Inch by Inch: Illustration and Collage Workshop; May 10: Pittsburgh Sketch Crawl; July 12: Henna Tattoo Workshop, and Pastel Painting Workshop; August 9: Drawing the Clothed Figure Workshop.

ABOUT THE PITTSBURGH CULTURAL TRUST: The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has overseen one of Pittsburgh's most historic transformations: turning a seedy red-light district into a magnet destination for arts lovers, residents, visitors, and business owners. Founded in 1984, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a non-profit arts organization whose mission is the cultural and economic revitalization of a 14-block arts and entertainment/residential neighborhood called the Cultural District. The District is one of the country's largest land masses "curated" by a single nonprofit arts organization. A major catalytic force in the city, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a unique model of how public-private partnerships can reinvent a city with authenticity, innovation and creativity. Using the arts as an economic catalyst, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has holistically created a world-renowned Cultural District that is revitalizing the city, improving the regional economy and enhancing Pittsburgh's quality of life. Thanks to the support of foundations, corporations, government agencies and thousands of private citizens, the Cultural Trust stands as a national model of urban redevelopment through the arts.