Courtesy of Neu Kirche

Neu Kirche Contemporary Art Center is celebrating the first annual NEU CITY project in the Food City Community Garden in East Deutschtown.

Five artists merge contemporary art with urban gardening to create immersive public works that activate the garden space. Each artist is in residence for a month from April to August, ending with a block party celebration at the site on August 29th. The project begins with the launch of Shade Sail, a project by local artist Sarika Goulatia consisting of a 15-foot sail made in collaboration with the community out of woven recycled plastic bags.

“Neu City provides a unique opportunity for the neighborhood to come together in one place over the entire summer, meet artists, learn new skills and discover the pleasures of gardening while getting to know their neighbors,” Lee Parker, Neu Kirche executive director, said. “It’s an experience with long-term benefits for the community, artists and visitors alike.”

The sail will be paraded down Tripoli Street Sunday, May 3rd at 1:30 p.m. and installed in the Food City Garden, marking the end of Sarika’s residency and the start of Nicole Anderson’s May project Growing Correspondence. NEU CITY is a collaborative project with The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, which runs the Food City garden, as we work together to imagine new ways to make productive, creative use of urban land.

“NEU CITY is a response to the community’s desire to see art happening directly around them and they’ve been hands-on in the process.” Oreen Cohen, Neu Kirche’s community programming coordinator, said. “The project shows the commitment and spirit of our vibrant neighborhood”