Why Aliquippa, PA is a great place to be an artist
Three years ago when I graduated from college and moved to Aliquippa I didn’t have a clue what I was getting myself into. I moved here to pursue graduate studies, work with non-profits, and begin pursuing my career as an artist. I’ve faced many challenges, but I’m still in tact and putting together a body of work that I’m beginning to feel proud of. I have much more development ahead of me as an artist and a person, but the important thing is that I am growing in these areas. Strangely enough, Aliquippa has been the perfect place for me to develop myself as an artist. Here are some factors that I have found in Aliquippa that I think have been indispensable in my development.
1. One of the things I cherish about my life in Aliquippa is the community of people that I have found myself surrounded by. No matter where I go, or what kind of trouble I seem to get myself into, I know there are people here who are willing to help me out. I’ve found some great friends who support my work and who take interest in my projects. Having a group of people who have taken a vested interest in my work and artistic development is huge. They encourage me when I am frustrated, they help me think critically about my art, they give me feedback on potential areas for growth, they connect me with the resources (social, physical, emotional, etc.) that I am lacking, and we mutually inspire one another. In turn, once in a while, I am able to give back in some small way. We give and take, that’s what we do.
2. Maybe post-industrial America isn’t the most picturesque place on the planet. Pennsylvania roads are perpetually under construction. Abandoned houses and buildings line our streets. Aliquippa is littered with trash. It’s hard to find a decent job around here, and businesses suffer. Love it or hate it, the price of living is cheap. I share a house with three other artists/musicians which helps keep my costs down. I also abandoned my car for bike and bus which cuts down on gas costs, I travel less, and I don’t need to worry about insurance payments. I live cheaply, and with such an affordable price of living, a little goes a long way. I’m able to spend more money on my work than I would be able to if I lived somewhere more pricey.
3. One of my least favorite adjectives is the term “artsy”. I don’t think an artist, a patron, or arts organization has to look or feel a certain way. One of the things I like a lot about Aliquippa is that there isn’t a pretentious culture of art around here. Aliquippa isn’t exactly known for its art (although I do hope that will someday change). Instead, Aliquippa is known as a post-industrial football town associated with drugs and violence. We don’t have a lot of college age artists living and working in this community and it isn’t “cool” to be an artist here. The art education around here is seriously lacking. While at times this disinterest in art might make it more difficult to promote work or shows, I think this factor makes a lot of the work artists do around here more genuine. Sales and glory are periphery for Aliquippa artists. The folks who create art here are concerned with creation, not money. If an artist creates in a setting where art isn’t ‘the norm’ or popular, it seems to me that it is because they take their work seriously.
4. I can’t express my gratitude enough for the presence of Uncommon Grounds Cafe in my artistic and personal development. Between free shared studio space upstairs where I can paint and teach with other artists, monthly exhibits featuring local artists and musicians, the ability to sell and promote work with no commission fees, connections with local artists, caffeine at affordable prices, and ongoing inspiration by the quirky patrons, the cafe is a creative hub in this town. In fact, I would go so far as to say that Uncommon Grounds Cafe is THE creative hub in this town. There are creative projects happening in the arts, community development, and social transformation here that I’ve never seen elsewhere. Even the food is creative: today I ate a strawberry-orange-mango muffin (they’re selling fast!).
5. I’ve already mentioned the cafe and it’s quirky patrons. One of the other things I love about this town is the multitude of stories. Hanging out with the elderly gentlemen who worked in the Steel Mills, who saw the Pittsburgh region transform over decades, who remember the Pirates winning the division, sparks my imagination. I walk past abandoned buildings and lots and I think about the businesses that came and went. I hear the history of J&L and their corruption and I feel like I am reading a novel. The stories here are inspire anger, despair, hope, frustration, love and hate, all of which are great tools for an artist.
You have such a gift with words. I love reading what you write! I wish you lived about 4 hours closer!