The Artists

Michael Schwarz

Founder

Michael is a freelance photojournalist specializing in a wide array of photo and video work, as well as, written journalism, investigative reporting, and spot news coverage. He currently splits his time between Brooklyn and Pittsburgh.

Max Gems Gonzales

Head of Installations

I did some "bad" stuff and The City of Pittsburgh™ didn't like that. I got sent to jail and went to court 🙁 Now I'm broke and I still have the whole city's attention, so I'll make some "good" art 🙂 @goodboygems

Brandon Wilhelm

Oi, I'm Brandon Wilhelm, Wicked Pittsburgh's events coordinator. Music has been a major part of my life for as long as I can remember. Bringing together community, charity, music and helping local artist thrive is what motivates me to do what I do!

Brittney Chantele

Brittney Chantele (they/them) is a dynamic pop/hip-hop artist and visual artist from Pittsburgh, PA. They write and sing about Queer sex, disagreements, love predicaments, and break ups as an act that champions visibility, acceptance, accountability, empowerment, and growth. In alignment with Brittney's principles, their music showcases their commitment to creating a world where Queer people aren’t just seen - but heard and respected - loud and clear. In 2021, they earned the title of ‘Best Rap/Hip-Hop Performer’ and ‘Best Unsigned Music Artist’ in The Pittsburgh City Paper’s ‘Best of PGH’ poll.

Derek Rudy

Head of Design

Derek Rudy is a graphic designer and Point Park University graduate. In addition to freelance work, he currently works as the in-house designer for Stage AE. His amazingly detailed pieces often show futuristic, dystopian, or aquatic landscapes that that suck you into a world of fantasy.

Benny Miller

Born and raised in Pittsburgh where, at an early age, I discovered the golden sanctuary known as the comic book shop. Shortly after discovering the colorful pages full of action, explosions, and superpowers, I began drawing my own characters; the course of my life was forever altered. Many years later and I am in my twelfth year of teaching art at Brentwood Middle/High School, and spend every free moment I have drawing, reading sci-fi, or watching transformers with my two boys.

Zach Nellis

Co-Founder

Combining my love for skateboarding with my full time job as a machine operator, I create recycled skateboard goods and much more.

Nikki Pena

Head of Woodworkers

Nikki Pena is a pyrographer, painter and graphic designer who has had an interest in art since kindergarten, when she was so fixated on a drawing activity she missed recess. Her world was always changing. Having moved around a lot growing up, playing outside and drawing were the only things that remained a constant in oftentimes lonely situations. Soon that would be where she would find her muse. Being in nature helped her feelings of isolation, and often she would imagine herself blending into the trees, the wind and the wildflowers – a theme that can be found across her work. While her styles can vary depending on the medium used, high contrast and brilliant colors are her main mark. When not creating, she enjoys cooking, doing yoga, working out, hiking, travelling, and going to concerts.

Anthony Arcuri

Bismuth Cities is the project of artist, musician & material science enthusiast Anthony Arcuri. Someone who has always been drawn to the architectural anomalies left behind by ancient civilizations, Anthony quickly grew an interest in the crystallization patterns of bismuth metal and its tendency to form perfect stair-step, pyramid-like structures. Since the project’s beginning in 2014, Bismuth Cities has created hundreds of pieces using various processes. He is constantly experimenting new ways of affecting bismuth’s crystallization using everything from stones, crystals & fossils to the sound vibrations of Tibetan singing bowls. No matter how Anthony seeds the crystallization, he believes the most powerful tool is the intention he puts into the process.

Anton Bachman

Anton Bachman chose art lessons over karate when he was 5. He went on to attend Penn State University for Art Education. He has created a large portfolio of digital art prints for private collectors, album art, solo, and group shows. His most recent body of work explores hand drawn, digitally colored studies of portraiture, cityscape, still life, and cartoons with heavy nods toward cubism, language and alphabets, collage, comics, spray painting and pop art. He hand builds his own stretched canvases along with wooden frames for his collaged prints.

Ashley Hodder

Ashley Hodder is a Pittsburgh artist and art educator who has created educational programs and over 75 public art projects. She served as artist in residence of Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh for five years. Her large scale work can be seen in Braddock, Allentown, South Side, Strip District, Wilkinsburg, Etna, Mt. Washington, Shadyside, and many other Pittsburgh neighborhoods.

Bethany Krowsoski

Bethany seeks delicate objects to be shown with an ephemeral quality, such as a ripple in a koi pond, sunlight dancing across florals or a moth pausing to rest, in which all are depicted with contemporary realism. By using both oil and acrylic paint, fragility in the environment and encapsulating transient moments have become a great interest. Bethany went to college in Erie, PA, and was born in New Kensington. In addition to painting, she also teaches high school art.

Brian Gonnella

Brian Gonnella is an artist, muralist, and organizer living in Pittsburgh PA. He paints a lot when he is home and paints a lot when he travels.

Camo Nesbit

Camerin “Camo” Nesbit, founder/painter of CamoCustomz. Born October 11, 1992 from Pittsburgh, PA (Homewood). Graduated from Schenley High School (2010) and Mercyhurst University (2012). Camo has been painting for nearly 5 years. Starting with just custom sneakers, he has broadened his skills with canvas work, murals, motor vehicles, and almost anything else you can or should paint! See his eye popping work around the city, and slowly growing in Miami and Los Angeles.

Chace Campbell

I'm a graphic designer, multimedia artist, and illustrator and my artistic interests lie in exploring form, pattern, texture, and repetition in traditional art as a means of meditation and art therapy. I like lines.

Christian Miller

Artist Christian Miller, AKA Mad Rabbit, Is a Pittsburgh based illustrator, printmaker and muralist. His work is inspired by the warm feeling that you get when you bring laughter and joy to someone. The moment when someone is laughing and feeling as though everything is right in their world, is what he aims to create for those who view his work.

Jerome Charles

Photographer turned graffiti nuisance turned illustrator/painter. Hi!

Danielle Eberle

I studied Communications Media at IUP and ever since then i've been painting, taking photos, and doing just about anything I can when it comes to utilizing my creative side. My first watercolor a year ago was terrible but i've worked out most of the kinks. I paint and photograph just about everything around me (mostly my cats). Enjoy my work!

Dan Landau

Combining the techniques of drawing and papercutting, Dan Landau creates detailed artworks by drawing on paper maps and then cutting out the empty spaces around the drawing and the roads with a craft knife.

Darrin Milliner

Darrin Milliner has always been creating and always exploring how to produce things that aren't already in existence. He understands and portrays mindsets that many of us may have but can’t express or visualize. By taking every opportunity to absorb various subjects that spark emotion and action, and bring them to the forefront of the artwork. For years, he has been collecting old books, piles of magazines, posters, and other vintage printed materials. In his studio, he carefully selects, cuts and assembles them into new illustrations and visuals. Working both by hand and digitally allows him to create unique designs not possible otherwise. With a retro style and a counter-cultural message Darrin invites you to feel empowered to be yourself.

Dawn Petryk

Dawn Petryk, owner and artist of PaperTrail, is trained in graphic design and traditional art and creates primarily in both watercolor and pen and ink. Within these mediums she explores the interconnectedness of all things through natural and spiritual themes. PaperTrail wanders through both the physical and metaphysical realms documenting the trail "between here and there."

Dejouir Brown

My name is Dejouir Brown I go by the artist name of “Jouirnoe” given to me by friends for my love of pizza and because my name sounds like “Digiornoes”. I’m a Graphic Designer/ Muralist, I’ve been into art my whole life my father was an artist so at an early age I was creating and trying to show the world my vivid imagination. I help bring others brands and ideas to life with my graphic design work. Going big bringing my creations to murals is what I’m currently pushing towards. I’m also working on some abstract installation pieces. So stay tuned.

James Sabulsky

I have been taking photography for 10 years, but my interests have peaked over the past 2 years. So i decided to start this page to display my work. I spend a lot of time in Pittsburgh, walking around our amazing city and capturing it. Also the same amount of time is spent driving around the country side seeing the sites that nature has provided.

Juliandra Jones

I am a self-taught mixed media artist, muralist, live painter, entrepreneur and educator from Las Vegas, NV. I use vinyl, acrylic, aerosol paint and natural elements- like crystals- in my paintings, woodcuts, sculptures and public art projects to explore themes of social justice and self care. My art brings people together, elevates marginalized voices and centers happiness and joy, rather than pain and struggle.

Justin Celedonia

Justin is an artist and an educator. He has spent time teaching and exhibiting his work in different states, but currently lives in Pittsburgh. He enjoys working in a variety of different media but has developed one as the focus of his current series. Over the course of 30-50 hours he uses fine pen and ink in a process called stippling to create detailed and intricate portraits. Justin draws inspirations from the people around him and the people who have influenced them.

Katy McManus

Born and raised in Pittsburgh PA, Katy McManus is a highly passionate Artist currently practicing Inn Saei. This practice helps her reflect her insights and interpretations of the world and space around us. She paints with the belief that these works of art will both inspire others and honor the subject matter of each creation.

Keith Loughrey

After 35 years in the construction business, Keith Loughrey, decided to focus on his true passion: woodworking. He founded Burghwood in 2015 and has been creating one-of-a-kind craftsman-style furniture ever since. Burghwood uses rescued and dormant wood to create beautiful pieces that are built to last many lifetimes. Keith’s work is inspired by the Stickley Brothers and architects Greene and Greene. When Keith isn’t milling wood in his workshop, you can find him tending to his herb garden and spending time with his wife and pug.

Kevin Mack

Kevin Mack creates vibrant compositions motivated by a childlike fascination with color, space, and nature. By creating artwork that can be seen and felt, he hopes to connect those of varied perspectives; a stroll through the flowers can be as impactful as the long journey.

Kimberly Ryan

Kimberly Ryan Artworks

Born in Frankfurt, Germany and currently living just northeast of Pittsburgh, PA, Kimberly Ryan's work is influenced by her travels as well her daily life here in Pittsburgh. Painting since childhood Kimberly is primarily self taught, although, she has taken private lessons and attended classes at the Chicago Art Institute. With the use of bright vibrant colors, traditional landscapes, gothic Halloween art, and animal portraits, there is a diverse imagery to explore in her work.

Kirsten Lowe-Rebel

100% hand drawn and handcrafted, KLoRebel art is the work of native Pittsburgh artist Kirsten Lowe-Rebel. Reimagining her drawings as pattern, she uses her fine art prints to create a line of unique wearable art jewelry, accessories and gifts. Each one-of-a-kind piece speaks to the texturally rich urban fabric of our steel town. You can find Kirsten drawing, packaging and running her business from her home studio in Lawrenceville or in the Shaler garage studio creating wood and metal pieces along side of her Grandma, the KLoRebel director of textiles.

Lauren Zurchin

Lauren Zurchin is a fine art photographer and artist, located in the Pittsburgh area. She travels all over to get her shots, and loves to combine beautiful costumes and props with gorgeous locations. You can find her on instagram @lzstudios, and online at laurenzurchinstudios.com

Lucinda Tay

Art has really just come back in my life within the last 6 years and I'm so grateful for it. Currently, self-teaching and exploring the possibilities little by little in hopes to find the true artist that I am.

Megan Morris

A graphic designer by trade, Megan has been an artist for the past 10 years and went to school at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh to pursue her passion. Megan works in many different mediums including digital, mix media, acrylics, water colors and others. To create her artworks, she devises a core theme and shapes the piece around it. Megan enjoys creating work that enables the audience to pull their own meaning from the piece while expressing her feelings.

Meredith Behm

Meredith Behm is an artist of many kinds. Mostly working with plaster and spray or acrylic paint on recycled materials. She also does a lot of canvas work. She has grown up in Pittsburgh all of her life and from that has gained great inspiration from the art, the area and the world surrounding her.

Margaret Hewitt

Midnight Hour Stitchery is the fiber art of Margaret Hewitt. As a history buff (personally and professionally), she has always been fascinated by the material goods created by generations past, especially by women. In her embroidered work, Margaret puts modern twists on the historic female tradition of needlework: playing with the kitsch territory of grandmothers, creating bright and bold cross stitched pieces inspired by the city around her, and mixing traditional hand embroidery techniques with new designs.

Nate Reese

Nate Reese (NAYTRECE) is a painter and digital collage artist who uses technology to examine the moment where the past meets the present. He has been making art for 8 years in cities across the US and currently resides in Pittsburgh. He mines archives and past experiences to form the content of his pieces and uses these elements to illustrate a current moment.

Nora Thompson

Nora Thompson is an illustrator, graphic designer, fine artist and writer, and has been illustrating professionally since 1991. Her mediums include acrylics, graphite, colored pencil and digital, all on wood, board or paper. She’s the creator of characters called The Rots, and included them in her first book, Twisted: Tales to Rot Your Brain Vol. 1, which received positive reviews from Publishers Weekly, Midwest Book Review and Kirkus Reviews. Thompson is a life member of the Pittsburgh Society of Illustrators.

Rachel Kling

Rachel Renaudin Kling Art

The paintings of Rachel Dawn emanate a vibrant energy that radiates life by placing a special focus on the depiction of light in its endless spectrums. Though there is always an observed light source on her subjects, her perspective process naturally expresses a physical and conceptual illumination that seems to originate from within and vibrate out. This serves to heighten reality and expose deeper spiritual meaning. Throughout her craft, she purposefully highlights the hidden potential in all things. "I have always felt that the power emanated from the sun is undervalued and not fully utilized. Whether it is perceived physically or abstractly, the many facets of light depict a wholeness. Its intrinsic quality is the agent that makes vision possible, thereby creating a point of view, exposing a perspective of color, and revealing the insight to understand a problem or mystery. In a world filled with pretense, I work to capture the truth of light and display it."

Rebekah Coffey

I am a Painter and Printmaker. My art takes you on visual journeys of discovering new places, feelings, cultures, and ideas. When creating a new piece, I lay out all my mediums and create a unique harmony of textures and colors. I’m inspired by dynamic elements of nature and human emotion. With each piece I hope to connect not only the viewer with the piece but the viewers experiences with eachother.

Scott Blades

Zombies & Skulls... If that's what you're into then you've come to the right place. I typically utilize reused, recycled, and re-purposed materials in my work. I love taking junk and garbage and turning it into awesome art.

Scott Brozovich

David Scott Brozovich is the Co-Owner of My City Sesh, Event Coordinator at Wicked Pittsburgh, and Treasurer of PghNorml. I like to paint! Let me splash color on your wall in exchange for cash! Aerosol Artist, Painter, Designer, Etc. I work with many mediums and enjoy trying new things. I just like to create, be happy and enjoy good vibes!

Sean O'Connor

Sean O'Connor is a digital artist born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Referencing Pittsburgh's geography, history, and built environment, his work uses memory and nostalgia to distort familiar landscapes to capture childlike wonder, ethereal serenity, and haunting existentialism.

Shane Pilster

Shane Pilster is an artist, muralist, curator, and graphic designer. Bridging his expertise in graffiti and urban arts with community involvement, he prides himself in also being an educator, advocate, mentor, and well-rounded, creative individual.

Stanley Yin

Stanley has been working as a fine artist, carpenter, and installation specialist since 2016. His work focuses on convergence of utilitarian practicality and complex design, an oxymoron present in many of his pieces. When he's not working on a commission, you can find him recording music in his paint covered South Side studio.

Stephen Keiser

Illustrator, painter, and a bunch of other things. I pursue my urge to fabricate the constant stream of visual ideas and concepts that flow from my skull! I just want to make cool stuff.

Stuart Frick

Stuart Frick is a Pittsburgh-bred queer artist specializing in clothing customization and painting, focusing on creating one-of-one, specialized pieces. They employ a broad range of inspiration from personal, emotional reflections played out on a clothing piece, to synesthetic experiences as a tool to show their visual day to day. A fervent love for Pittsburgh is a driving force in their continued progress, both in what is familiar and what is yet to be discovered.

Tony Cavalline

Tony Cavalline is a mixed media artist whose work explores ideas of memory, identity, and perception. He is interested in the relation of these themes to the subjective nature of actuality and the mythologizing of experience. His paintings utilize found items combined with organic materials to create rich and tactile visual narratives.

Zach Sierocki

Pittsburgh Artist and muralist with many different styles including abstract, African art, and pop art. Using lots of color to bring smiles, peace, and love to his audience.