On the Intersection of Restaurants and Art: Q&A with Shelby Ciarallo & Andrew Heffner
During the global pandemic of 2020 many of us were forced to stay and work from home. We at Associated Artists of Pittsburgh found that our community began to really take in the experience of living and working around the artwork in their homes. Whether it be just one painting purchased at a coffee shop a few years ago, or a collection amassed over many years, the joy of living with original artwork began to manifest for many. This is the third iteration of our online store: Living with Art: III
For the third iteration of the store, Associated Artists of Pittsburgh worked with Shelby Ciarallo & Andrew Heffner of Bar Marco & The Union Hall, to curate an online store featuring the works of our members. The store is designed to promote our member’s work and celebrate the joys of living with original artwork and supporting artists.
In addition to working with Shelby and Andrew, AAP is excited to be donating 15% of each sale to Night Life Line. Night Life Line is a crisis relief organization for people in Pittsburgh’s food, beverage & entertainment industry. The labor of nightlife workers and independent venue owners fuels economic development and neighborhood revitalization. Please consider donating directly to Night Life Line by clicking the button below.
Our Content and Creations Coordinator, Jamie Earnest, spoke briefly with Shelby and Andrew about the intersection of restaurants and art, and the advice they have beginner collectors. Read the Q&A below.
JE: Many Pittsburghers are aware of Bar Marco in the Strip District, but you also found a special use for Bar Marco’s upstairs event space to be a functioning art gallery, named The Union Hall. How did the formation of The Union Hall come about?
Andrew: The formation of the Union Hall started soon after we opened Bar Marco when we realized we had a lot of big open space on that floor that we weren't able to use for the restaurant itself. We started making it available for artist friends with a series of informal shows and after a couple years of that I realized we had a great opportunity to make it a more formal gallery. Once we started getting a lot more organized about art shows, really planning out who we wanted to work with and focusing the types of work we hosted it really took off.
JE: What benefits do you see in mixing the idea of local art within a restaurant? Are there any downsides to the combination?
Andrew: When it comes to mixing local art into the restaurant the benefits can really be huge. Not only have we been able to carve out a niche for up and coming artists to have an exciting, big canvas to work on but the quality of the work elevates the other hospitality details we spend so much of our time focused on from the restaurant side. With so many moving pieces it takes a lot of communication to make sure the space works for everyone but we've really enjoyed seeing the fruits of that labor come together and can't wait to have new work back on our walls!
Shelby: Personally, my feeling is that every body of work is different and demands it’s own touch, but what is consistent is the need to get exposure and tap into the viewers’ need to experience the work. Luckily, a lot lives in a multi-use space like this, and the room itself, deserves much of this credit. It’s a genuinely special opportunity to reach a number of people you might not have had the opportunity to connect to and to curate an experience with the body of work that makes viewers feel personally connected. While there are limitations, we regularly are forging connections between local art and viewers who usually only experience art on museum walls at a national level. I think a lot of good can come from this intersection.
JE: How do you go about choosing what artwork/artists to exhibit at The Union Hall? How do you get your restaurant audience to engage with the gallery when they visit Bar Marco?
Andrew: Initially we started choosing artworks and artists for the gallery based on personal connections and while we still do that to some extent we've also made a real effort to focus the gallery primarily on non-figurative/abstract work. While this could have been a limitation I've actually found that we never struggle to find more than enough exciting art and artists to highlight. When it comes to engaging the general Bar Marco audience we do everything from highlighting works in the restaurant social media feeds/emails newsletter to inviting guests to peruse the gallery while they're waiting for a table.
Shelby: Andrew and I work within our personal relationships and networks and the identity of the space itself as something like a jumping off point. The space has grown over the years to be known for abstract works, tall walls, and a full events' calendar. In a lot of ways, that helps move the needle. Some might see this as a limitation, but, through the support and talent of the people here in Pittsburgh, we have been able to have something to be excited about. Personally, I really just try my best to keep my eyes on people as they flow through the years and familiarize myself with the network of artists here; whether that be with regularly attending openings, keeping in contact with artists through studio visits, stalking instagrams, or just being an all weather fan. So much of curating, or at least my approach to it, is finding ways to create a platform in the hope that it can support the body of work in an intentional and productive way. Our team is genuinely excited about the creative efforts of all of our neighbors from top to bottom - gallery to kitchen. So the engagement from gallery to table feels organic. With our mutual desire to bring our guests into our process, and through our media presence, we find a lot of people wandering up the stairs to check out what’s up there and keeping us on their radar if they are ever beginning to collect.
Andrew Heffner
Shelby Ciarallo
JE: How has combining your restaurant industry with the local arts scene impacted you both professionally & personally?
Andrew: I feel super grateful for the way that doing this curating work within my regular restaurant job has really expanded my horizons and given me a richer work experience. It's given me broader community connections and really expanded my passion for a career choice that can sometimes feel narrowly focused and demanding.
Shelby: It is a dream to get to work in both of these creative fields simultaneously. My network, professionally and personally, is ever growing and it truly is one of the most exciting facets of this work. I feel extremely empowered by the friendships and connections I’ve made these past years with the Union Hall and genuinely impressed by how often individuals in both industries truly want to uplift each other and create an enjoyable experience. I feel so privileged to be a part of this community and city. No bad news and a big circle!
JE: In what ways has Bar Marco been able to uplift the local arts scene through The Union Hall?
Andrew: I'm hesitant to take much credit for our impact in the local art scene but I can definitely look back with pride at the many years of terrific shows we've been lucky enough to host. Many of the artists who show with us are in the very early stages of their careers, often it's their first experience showing in such a large space and I love that we can make that possible. There are so many excellent and talented artists working in the Pittsburgh area these days and we love being a place in the city that can support and encourage them.
Shelby: Really, I think the relationship feels more symbiotic. We receive so much from the artists' involvement in this business. The exhibitions here add another opportunity for creativity and inspiration and allow us another way to connect with our neighbors. Our efforts are focused on providing an expansive platform and a meaningful space for up-and-coming artists, as well as showcasing some of Pittsburgh's veteran artists alongside each other. With exhibitions that span months that are viewed by thousands of people, we really hope that we can give a sufficient and elevating show for everyone involved.
JE: Finally, what advice would you give to someone who is interested in collecting artwork made by local artists?
Andrew: I think "collecting" can feel like a scary word but it's really about developing relationships, showing up for art and seeing what moves you and responding in whatever way you can. My advice to folks would be to get as engaged as they can, go to an opening or email an artist for a studio visit even if you're not sure you have the budget to buy pieces at the time. When the right circumstances come together you'll be ready to jump in but it starts by already having a good sense of the work you love and the artists you'd like to support.
Shelby: Start by just showing up. Being involved and forging relationships is a great pathway to getting to know and supporting the fabric of Pittsburgh’s art community. Start small and support in any way you can; whether that is buying a print, subscribing to a monthly support service, or being a face they can recognize at their openings. Sometimes collecting feels like such a leap, but it can be anything from carrying around a business card in hopes of owning one some day to sending it and buying that big focal point piece.