Mon Valley Arts to host 2nd annual fall arts festival in McKeesport

The day will be filled with free arts activities and refreshments for the whole family, along with an artist market.

The arts will come alive in McKeesport this weekend as an annual festival will showcase the talents of local artists, musicians and writers.

See Clear and Mon Valley Arts will host the 2nd Annual Fall Arts Event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the McKeesport Community Gardes, 13th and Walnut streets. The event will include local artists showing and selling their work, light refreshments, music, readings by local authors, photographers, glass blowers, calligraphers, graphic designers, and an opportunity to meet neighbors.

Mon Valley Arts is an initiative of See Clear, a multifaceted, nonprofit organization whose mission is to strengthen the McKeesport community by offering youth and adult services that “ignite creative and economic opportunities.”

See Clear was co-founded by lifelong McKeesport residents Curtis and Tracey Reaves. Curtis is a successful professional photographer and Tracey has extensive business and nonprofit experience. See Clear offers support for local businesses and entrepreneurs through marketing advice and administrative assistance. Their “CEO Academy” offers classroom oriented training for those interested in founding and running their own businesses. They have a strong belief in the importance of the arts to a healthy and vibrant community. They want to provide a space for local grassroots artists to show their work and network with other creative people.

The couple are currently in the process of renovating a 19th century building on Shaw Avenue in McKeesport. Plans for the 6,000 square-foot building include two storefronts, a co-working business accelerator space, gallery space and an outdoor patio which will be available for private parties. The “Urban Java, Café and Gallery” will not only be a community gathering spot but will provide training for area young people through its “Youth Barista Initiative.”

See Clear has partnered with the City of McKeesport, the McKeesport Community Garden and other local organizations that are working to revitalize McKeesport. They have participated in Good Neighbor Day, and other community events and plan to hold pop-up artist events and to participate in the city’s upcoming holiday events.

See Clear invites the public to attend the Arts Festival Saturday. The event is free and open to all. Those interested in displaying their work Saturday or learning more about See Clear and their services can go to Seeclear.org