Open Up Pittsburgh finds stable home in Lawrenceville
Open Up Pittsburgh’s movement and mindfulness clients are used to having classes scheduled across the city. Since 2014, the nonprofit offered yoga, mindfulness, improvisational acting classes and more at the Carnegie Museum of Art, Lululemon Shadyside, Pittsburgh Public Schools spaces and others. After a delayed opening due to COVID-19 precautions, that programming will officially have a permanent home at 3711 Butler St. in Lawrenceville, where a grand opening celebration will take place Friday through Sunday.
Although best known for serving those with disabilities, Open Up’s leadership now aims to “bridge the gap” to those who are typically abled.
“We want everyone to feel they belong in this space,” says Marissa Vogel, founding director. “We really want to promote this idea of radical hospitality, where we’re really trying to be welcoming from the ground up. We just want people to try something new.”
Open Up classes might include individuals on the autism spectrum or who use American Sign Language to express themselves, which lendsto “a different kind of experience.”
“We whole-heartedly welcome everyone of all abilities into this space, and we hope to provide a visible model of best practices in inclusion and connection,” Tessa Karel, co- founder and board director, said through a release.
Grand opening events kick off on Friday night with a happy hour, ribbon cutting and dance party. Saturday and Sunday’s schedules are full of yoga, imaginative play and crafts. The weekend’s finale, at 2 p.m. on Sunday, is a movement event that features string musicians from the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. All activities are open to everyone, free of charge, and will include calming stations available for those with sensory differences.
“We really want people to come as they are, feel comfortable as they are and feel what that feels like,” Ms. Vogel said. “People don’t get to do that very often.”
For more information and a schedule of grand opening events: www.openuppittsburgh.com.