The new festival attraction will feature tournament play, free instructional clinics, and uniquely designed courts showcasing commissioned artwork.
Picklesburgh is July 16-19 and this year’s festival is turning out to be pickle-est of all! The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership (PDP) is bringing yet another attraction to the briniest bash of the year. Pickleball will join the festival lineup at Arts Landing, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s four-acre outdoor space located in the heart of Downtown. The brand-new painted Pickleball courts will feature commissioned public artwork created specifically for Arts Landing and feature tournaments, beginner-friendly clinics, demonstrations, and learn-to-play sessions presented by the Pickleball Warehouse offered at select times every day during the festival.
“We’ve been asked for years to incorporate pickleball into Picklesburgh and with the investments in Arts Landing, we can finally make it happen!” says Jeremy Waldrup, PDP President and CEO. “Implementing Pickleball into the festival footprint is a great way to continue to grow and evolve the festival but more importantly, these new courts are the latest amenity for the public to enjoy for years and years to come, these investments are exactly what we need to continue to see in Downtown.”
The PDP is proud to be partnering with the Pickleball Warehouse and supporting their efforts to bring this dynamic sport to Downtown Pittsburgh.
“People often ask if Pickleball has anything to do with pickles — and this weekend, it does,” says Warehouse owner Alexa Gervasi. “We’re bringing clinics, tournaments, open play, and a lot of friendly competition. If you’ve been curious about the fastest-growing sport in America, there’s no better way to try it.”
The Cultural Trust commissioned artist Sharmistha Ray to create a vibrant ground mural for Arts Landing’s new pickleball courts, marking the first installation of its kind in the region. Titled Geometry of Play, the work is among 23 pieces by 10 artists featured in the Cultural Trust’s inaugural public art program for Arts Landing.
“Arts Landing is all about bringing people together Downtown,” said Kendra Whitlock Ingram, President & CEO of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. “There’s no better time to welcome the community to our new pickleball courts than during Picklesburgh. We’re grateful to the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership for making Arts Landing a key part of this year’s festival experience.”
Painted directly onto the playing surface, Geometry of Play transforms the courts into a dynamic visual landscape, merging the logic of game design with the fluidity of abstract painting. Interlocking patterns of circles, triangles, and grids reference kaleidoscopic mandalas and architectural ornamentation while playfully echoing the rules and rhythms of the game itself. As players move across the court, the mural creates a constantly shifting visual and physical experience.
Following Picklesburgh, the Pickleball courts will remain open for public use. A full schedule of summer activities is available at TrustArts.org/ArtsLanding.
For more details on all things Picklesburgh, visit Picklesburgh.com
About the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership: Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership (PDP) is a dynamic, nonprofit organization comprised of business and community leaders, property owners, civic organizations, foundations, and residents who provide energy, vision, and advocacy for Downtown Pittsburgh. Working collaboratively with its partners, the PDP strives to create a positive Downtown experience for residents, workers, and visitors alike. The PDP’s strategic initiatives include clean and safe services, transportation, and economic development, and advocacy. For more information, visit DowntownPittsburgh.com, follow us on Instagram, Threads, X, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, and X @downtownpitt.
About the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust: The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is one of the nation’s premier arts presenters and a major catalytic influence in Pittsburgh, having overseen one of the city’s most historic transformations: turning a seedy red-light district into a magnet destination for arts-lovers, residents, visitors, and business owners. Founded in 1984, the Cultural Trust presents an array of quality performing and visual arts, provides comprehensive educational experiences, and stewards Pittsburgh’s Cultural District as a national model of economic revitalization through the arts. Lauded as “the single greatest creative force in Pittsburgh,” the Cultural Trust has worked to make Pittsburgh a place where the arts can flourish. The 14-block Cultural District, a project of the Cultural Trust, has become a vibrant center for culture, art, food, and community in downtown Pittsburgh, providing a home for a broad range of performance groups and resident companies. Approximately one million people visit the Cultural District each year, generating more than $175M in economic impact for the region.
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