Photo: A look inside Little House Big Art, which celebrated eight years in Pittsburgh’s Northside community on Feb. 15. By Ashlee Green

By Hallie Lauer

Tiny terrariums, balls of yarn, beads, sequins and art supplies of all kinds line the walls of Little House, Big Art in the Northside’s Spring Hill neighborhood. 

Guests enter through a small kitchen area into two adjoining rooms packed to the brim with the raw materials needed to make anything their hearts desire. 

Little House, Big Art began after founder Elizabeth Bashur left her graphic design job to work as an arts director at a summer camp. 

At the end of each summer, Bashur found herself wishing that camp would never have to end. By creating Little House, Big Art, she made that dream a reality.

“I wanted to make a space for people who maybe didn’t have the opportunity to go to a camp,” Bashur said. 

On Feb. 15, Little House, Big Art celebrated its eighth birthday with a Valentine’s Day themed event. 

The day included snacks, art, and pottery classes. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. there was an open studio where people could drop in, make valentines, and check out the space. There were also pottery throwing demonstrations throughout the day.

All projects for the event were offered at the studio’s regular costs: $5 to $40 depending on the project. Project options normally include clay sculpting, weaving, terrarium building, pottery, and much more. Classes range from $25-40.*

Later in the evening, from 7 to 9 p.m., Little House, Big Art hosted an adults-only open studio. This “grown-ups only” event is offered regularly. 

“It’s not a bar, but it’s a way to meet up and socialize without buying alcohol,” Bashur said. “It can be BYOB, but there’s no pressure.”

Open studio time is available on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m., but private events can be booked on weeknights.

“For us, we have such a variety,” Bashur said. “A family could come in and if one kid wants to do clay sculpting and another wants to do something totally different, we can do that.”

Little House, Big Art is located at 938 Haslage Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15212. Call 412-444-5278 for more information. Events can be booked through the studio’s website, littlehousebigart.com.

*Corrections: While classes at Little House Big Art range from $25-40, per project prices are between $5 to $40. Also, the resident cat’s name is Bug, not Bud, as previously stated. We regret the errors. 3/10/2020