Growing up
Bidwell Training Center celebrates 50 years at home show
For 50 years, Bidwell Training Center has been teaching adults horticulture, carpentry, cooking, electrical wiring and many other skills. But they don’t teach them how to grow plants in an old typewriter, computer keyboard or frying pan. Eighteen Bidwell students had to figure that out for themselves.
“From the Ground Up” is the theme of two Bidwell displays at the Duquesne Light Pittsburgh Home & Garden Show, which opens Friday and continues through March 11 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown.
The lower level exhibit is where you’ll find repurposed items used as planters in TICKETS: $10 adults, $4 children ages 6-12, free for those under 6. Discounts on weekday admission only at www.pghhome.com PARKING: $7 at Heinz Field lots with free shuttle 18 vignettes — one for each discipline — honoring the 50th anniversary of Bidwell and its partner organization, the Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild, both on the North Side.
“It’s like a sculpture show,” said Gary Baranowski, Bidwell’s director of horticulture technology.
The same 18 students built informational kiosks on the second level of the convention center to educate showgoers on trees and plant families.
The kiosks surround the Pennsylvania WoodMobile, a traveling exhibit about the state’s forests and forest products industry. It was created by the Pennsylvania Forest Products Association and is apparently in
high demand.
“We’ve been trying to get it for years,” Mr. Baranowski said, noting that the exhibit is popular at fairs and other mostly rural events. “This is a more urban setting than you usually see it.”
Also new at this year’s show is MONMADE (monmade.org), a showcase of work by local artisans presented by the local chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers. Nine area creators of furniture, pottery, textiles and other crafts will appear at the show to discuss their work.
“We always like to highlight new products and trends at the home show,” said Nancy Sakino Spears of Savoy Interior Design, a past president of ASID Pennsylvania West. “This time we have these great, great artisans. We have this treasure right in our backyard!”
The craftspeople will be joined in the second-floor space by ASID members and design students from La Roche College, Chatham and Mercyhurst universities and Indiana University of Pennsylvania. The designers will offer free consultations on paint color, interiors, aging in place and other issues.
“We are becoming a destination city. More people are retiring here,” Ms. Sakino Spears said. “We can help you decide what you need to change and how you can continue to live in your home. You don’t need to move.”
The home show offers over 1,800 exhibits of products and services, including some returning features. Showgoers can meet robots at the Life-Changing New Products exhibit, bring one item for a free appraisal from antiques expert Dr. Lori Verderame, watch the art of Japanese flower arranging, talk to local garden writer Doug Oster and enjoy jazz by the CAPA House Band in the Crawford Grill.
Other returning favorites are Duquesne Light’s Electric Lane, the Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh’s Builders Showcase, the Children’s Village and Turtle Races.