Mattress Factory Museum - Pittsburgh, PA

 One of the many attractions here in Pennsylvania is the Mattress Factory located in Pittsburgh. The Mattress Factory museum is a contemporary art museum located in the neighborhood of Oakland. The museum features both temporary and permanent installments. It is described as "a leader in site-specific, contemporary art" on it's own website. This museum, founded in 1977, has had installments from over 750 different artists. The museum and it's exhibits are spread across three buildings in the northside of Pittsburgh. Their current hours are from 11am-8pm on Wednesday and 11am-6pm Thursday through Sunday. They offer general admission and guided tours with a museum educator. Some of my favorite installments were created by Yayoi Kusama and Greer Lankton and can be found as permanent parts of the museum's gallery. Both of Kusama's permanent installments utilize dots and mirrors. One of those pieces also features white manikins. Lankton's installation is an autobiographical piece based on their own addiction and eating disorder, featuring dolls and stars painted in the ceiling. The long term installments by Kusama and Lankton have been a part of the museum since 1996. The museum also has long term installments created by James Turrell, Rolf Julius, William Anastasi, and others.

     One of the amazing temporary installments that I was lucky enough to see was created by Patrick Robideau and shown in the gallery during 2020. The installment featured a house that was taken apart and then rebuilt in the studio located in Pittsburgh. The house was visible through a large  window and located in the back of the studio, with only part of the house in view and dirt all around it seeming like is had collapsed or been buried. The Mattress Factory's website stated the installment was about the home's story, which can only be found in parts and pieced together as the whole house is never visible at one spot or time. There is also a new temporary mixed media installation by Andrea Pena. The installation uses silicone, sound, concrete, chains, and kinetic elements. 

      The Mattress Factory also offers different activities and programs to the community. They have a free afterschool program for students in 3rd-5th grade and also offer a summer workshop for children ages 7-12. The Teen Art Cooperative is another free program offered and it is a year long experience focused on collaboration and creative practice. Their individual membership costs $55. In addition to their programs for children, they offer member programs and a residency programs. Their member program includes VIP exhibition previews, member tours, and other activities that allow you to meet artists and learn about their work. Through their residency program, the museum supports artists and provides them with resources and guidance needed to create their installations and art work.