Michael Devine is a busy guy. Better known as
DJ Zombo, he has a radio show on
WRCT-FM 88.3; he spins at weddings and special events as well as bars and clubs around the city; he originated
Arsenal Lanes' Rock 'n' Bowl night; he custom screenprints T-shirts, bumper stickers and business cards in his at-home studio; he plays in a garage rock band with his wife Julie; he runs Zombo Gallery, which is booked up through March 2011; and now, he's going to be running a fashion boutique called Wear It Clothing Co. within the Lawrenceville gallery space.
How does he do it?
"I don't watch TV and my social life is my work," Devine says. "That, and Pittsburgh is a city where you can afford your dreams."
Devine moved from Ohio to Pittsburgh in 2001, then bounced around the country (Seattle, El Paso, Portland) with wife Julie before returning to Pittsburgh in 2006 and opening Zombo Gallery at 4900 Hatfield St. in Lawrenceville's Ninth Ward. He bought the 200-something-year-old building for less than $50,000 ("the price of a mobile home on the West Coast"), worked on renovations with contractor John Popinksi, and now uses it as a true live-work space. The first floor has the gallery as well as massage therapy offices (both Michael and Julie are certified); the basement's where's the screeprinting shop is; and the couple lives on the second and third floors.
The gallery now doubles as a fashion boutique. All current show artwork will remain on display during store hours, and all clothing racks will be wheeled out for art opening and closing receptions. Devine says he was inspired to create Wear It Clothing Co. after being approached by Kendall Bieselt who works at the nearby Remedy Restaurant and Lounge.
Wear It Clothing Co. features affordable, retro and locally designed men's and women's clothing and accessories by a variety of local designers and collectors. There are 10 racks, each rented to a different vendor. Wares include modified vintage by Buttercup Blues, corsets by local seamstress Zoe Collins, newer retro stuff by Amanda Manol (who runs Spookshows at the Thunderbird Cafe) and, of course, screenprinted tees by Devine.
Zombo Gallery will host a grand opening for the Wear It Clothing Co. on Thur., Nov. 12 at 6 p.m.
Writer: Caralyn Green
Source: Michael Devine, Zombo Gallery/ Wear It Clothing Co.
Photograph copyright Caralyn Green