Since 2004, Handmade Arcade's highly-anticipated annual in-person winter convention has connected over 200 makers with more than 10,000 attendees every year, showcasing a curated marketplace of unique handmade goods along with opportunities to learn new skills in its hands-on activity area. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization quickly realized that to continue to meet its mission of supporting Pittsburgh's creative economy, they needed to pivot its successful in-person model to a new online model: Handmade Arcade Virtual Marketplace. Jurors reviewed hundreds of applications from Pittsburgh and beyond, handpicking over 130 top makers to ensure that all products in the market are well-made and represent a diverse range of handmade products. Beginning on November 28 until December 6, consumers will be able to shop the marketplace for high-quality handcrafted goods across 15 categories.

As Americans navigate through a global pandemic, a social revolution, and political strife leading up to the 2020 election, the importance of history and civics education in our region and nation is evident now more than ever.

The Senator John Heinz History Center – the Smithsonian’s home in Pittsburgh – is taking action with the launch of a new mobile app, virtual programs, a Smithsonian exhibition, and educational resources beginning this fall as part of its America 101 history and civics initiative.

Whether it’s the first time you gazed into a telescope, climbed aboard a real submarine, spotted the fan-favorite Primanti Bros. restaurant in the Miniature Railroad & Village®, attended a week-long summer camp, or designed a rocket in SpacePlace, we want to hear your favorite Science Center memory! From sitting in the old Earthquake Café at a field trip to jamming to your favorite tunes at a stellar laser show, we know our visitors carry the best stories!

Carnegie Museum of Art (CMOA) announced programming and details for its forthcoming exhibition Locally Sourced, which opens November 20 in the Museum’s Charity Randall Gallery. Locally Sourced highlights new work by some of the Pittsburgh region’s most talented artists and makers of functional goods and furnishings, bringing together tradition and innovation. More than just masters of their craft, these makers are entrepreneurs shaping the business of art and design. Come November, visitors can see Locally Sourced in-person by purchasing timed tickets for CMOA and tune into exhibition programming online at CMOA.org.

Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh has launched an online store featuring more than 500 of the most popular products from the stores of its four museums—Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History, The Andy Warhol Museum, and Carnegie Science Center. This is the first online store featuring products from all four museums, including more than 300 products exclusive to Carnegie Museums.

The Irma Freeman Center for Imagination (IFCI) presents the works of Paige Tibbe, exhibition open October 2, 2020 – November 15, 2020. We will have live music on opening night featuring Pittsburgh musicians. The IFCI will also be naming its back gallery in memory of Sandra Streiff, our dear friend and an extraordinary Pittsburgh artist. Her incredible shadow paintings are a fixture of the Streiff Gallery. Gallery and Boutique hours will be Tuesdays through Thursdays 12 pm to 3 pm. Fridays through Sundays 12 pm - 6 pm, or by appointment. The public is invited to this masked/socially distant exhibition reception and grand opening with plenty of space as we open the garage door and back lot for safe (masked) social intercourse.