Ketchup City Creative becomes popular artistic gathering spot
Ever since Fox Chapel Area Middle School art teacher Nanci Goldberg opened an art space in Sharpsburg with the saucy name Ketchup City Creative, there’s been no shortage of local artists sharing their gifts.
“People like public art,” Ms. Goldberg said, as those with a display entered the newly refurbished space at 612 Main St. earlier this month to check their work before Open Streets Sharpsburg kicked off a day of free entertainment in the business district.
The site opened in March and is co-owned by the teacher’s husband, Christian Kahle.
To celebrate its name, as well as
Sharpsburg
Sharpsburg’s fame as home of H.J. Heinz, who created his first jar of horseradish in his home there, Ketchup hosted a display of historical items collected by a longtime local salesman for the condiment king. The photos, advertisements and promotional gifts now belong to Sharpsburg attorney John Arch and his wife, Judy. Mrs. Arch’s father was the salesman and she often hosted tours of the Heinz factory in Pittsburgh as a teenager.
In the collection: a silver cup bearing Mrs. Arch’s name and birthdate that was given to Mrs. Arch’s father, Oscar Nittka, when she was born; a telegram declaring the factory would be shut down in honor of its founder’s death in 1919; and many historical topping containers and advertising toys gifted to employees.
The Heinz glass works in Sharpsburg once manufactured all of the glassware for Heinz products. The Heinz memorabilia joined the artwork, crafts and other items under the newly uncovered and enhanced tin ceiling found under layers of suspended panels removed during renovations.
Building owner Joe Bruno has lived on the building’s top floor all his life. His grandfather bought it in 1905, he noted as he pointed to a
more recent bit of history: a 4-foot high water mark on the wall from Hurricane Ivan in 2004.
Mr. Bruno often lends a hand during the events held in his former family home.
“It’s a creative space that’s open to all,” Ms. Goldberg said of the combination gallery-workshop-studioevent space. In addition to artists, authors and musicians, Ketchup has been a meeting room for the local Democrats’ group, a garden club, historical society and Fox Chapel Area District Association.
“We want everyone in the community to come in and feel welcome and comfortable,” she said.
Mr. Kahle said that Ketchup is also place for local artists to display their work, but even more so a space for making Sharpsburg a brighter place and making people smile. Bill Cox, a longtime resident known to many as Wild Bill, was one of the first to show his art and play some music there.
“We want the community to participate in everything,” Ms. Goldberg said. “Sharpsburg has always been such a great town and now it’s entering a new era. We want everyone to feel welcome here.”
The Ketchup City Creative Facebook page displays the projects, art and events that have lit up the space, including Ardelle Robinson’s art show that was a gift of the Twilight Wish Foundation, which grants wishes to seniors over age 65. This was just the first way the new entity welcomed local residents who live across the street in the Sharpsburg Towers senior housing complex.
“We’ve done a wide variety of events already during our first weeks here and are open to hearing from anyone with ideas for our space,” Ms. Goldberg said.
Details: Ketchupcitycreative@gmail.com or 412-5934386.