Mt. Lebanon biz partners creating art center
The Old Rollier’s barn on McFarland Road will house a new art space come spring.
The 10,000 square-foot space, to be called the The Artsmiths of Pittsburgh, is part of the relocation of Koolkat Designs, an art boutique specializing in locally made jewelry and crafts. Owner Kate McGrady said the move is to install more than a gallery and exhibition showroom, but a cultural center for Mt. Lebanon and Pittsburgh artists.
“We have ideas and talent that far exceed our existing store’s capacity. The Pittsburgh region is overflowing with creative energy and we want to serve that need in the South Hills,” McGrady said.
The move is a collaboration between McGray, her creative director, Kate Wagle Hitmar, and the third-generation owners of Rollier’s Hardward, the Satterfield brothers – Bob, Chuck and Doug.
The barn, at 1635 McFarland Road, will undergo major renovations over the next several months, McGrady said. There will be a cafe, an expanded showroom and dedicated teaching spaces; the barn’s exterior will be painted with a new color scheme and the parking lot will be re-graded to allow for more vehicles and accommodations for food trucks and art vendors.