It’s been a long time coming. More than two decades after first earning the honor, Pittsburgh once again landed the top spot in David Savageu’s “Places Rated Almanac” survey of America’s “Most Livable Cities.” And that’s a fact not lost on Marquerite Jarrett Marks.
“The most livable city designation is an affirmation of what we’re all working in partnership to do,” says Marks. “It lets the rest of the world know what we already know.”
Okay, before we get into the details, let’s take a moment for an introduction. A native Pittsburgher who’s lived in New York and Chicago, Marks returned to the region a few 
years back. Today, she’s the program director of Pittsburgh Celebrates, a nonprofit organization of 70 “partners” from the local arts community, business world, academia and other groups. Together, they tout the many benefits of the city.
For instance, the organization is coordinating “Pittsburgh Celebrates Glass,” a yearlong offering of events centered on the region’s industrial glassmaking heritage and its future as a glass art hub of creativity. With major glass exhibits at the Pittsburgh Glass Center, Phipps Conservatory and the Carnegie Museum of Art, the festivities will spill over into smaller venues as well. Combined attendance should climb well into six figures. But box office returns are just a part of the bigger picture.
“Our mission at Pittsburgh Celebrates is based on realizing an economic benefit for the region,” says Marks. “We want people to move to Pittsburgh. There are other organizations in town that focus on getting businesses to relocate here. But we’re really focusing on getting artists and others to call the city home.”
If an artistic migration is the goal, then Pittsburgh Celebrates is off to a good start. Thanks to the success of partner organization Pittsburgh Glass Center in Friendship, more than two dozen glass artists now call the East End and other local neighborhoods home. And that’s just one measure of progress.
“The entire area along Penn Avenue in the East End is undergoing a transformation,” says Marks. “The proof can be seen in place like Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Borders and the other businesses opening there. They do their market research. They’re not going to open stores if they don’t think an area is going to be vital 10 years from now.”
Promoting the Goods
Though economic growth is the bottom line, everything starts with promoting the arts. One of the big payoffs of Pittsburgh Celebrates is its ability to coordinate the variety of events that will take place during the glass festivities. In the past, arts groups often found themselves fighting for the same pool of funds and open calendar dates. In a way, Marks operates as a traffic cop.
“When organizations work together, share ideas and coordinate their events, the people who benefit the most are the visitors to those exhibits,” says Marks. “The 
willingness of organizations to work together in this region is incredible. That spirit of collaboration also makes it possible for us to seek funding collectively instead of four or five groups going to the same funders four of five times.”
Among those in the arts community, the team spirit is appreciated.
“‘Pittsburgh Celebrates Glass’ gives us the opportunity to partner with other arts organizations,” says Sarah Nichols, curator of the Carnegie Museum of Art’s “Viva Vetro! Glass Alive! Venice and America, 1950-2006,” which runs from May 12 to September 16 and explores the connection between Venetian glassmaking and contemporary American art glass. “We are always looking for ways to reach out to the community,” she adds.
“I like to say that Marguerite has a group of collaborators and instigators and wonderful creative visionaries who pulled together ‘Pittsburgh Celebrates Glass,’” says Kathleen Mulchahy, a co-founder of the Pittsburgh Glass Center. “It’s nice to have an overarching group that works to help everyone. She helped the center get funding for our ‘Allure of Japanese Glass’ exhibit [open to the public from May 4 to September 16]. She’s been inspirational to a lot of us because she understands how we have the ability 
to change the community for the better through the arts.”
If Pittsburgh Celebrates has the ability to change communities, then Marks feels the time for transformation is now — especially with the readers of “American Style” magazine voting our town as the best mid-sized arts city.
“I’m naturally optimistic,” she says. “And I’m spoiled by all the great people I get to work with. I’m a real cheerleader for the region. But I really feel a shift happening. We are so well positioned for future growth because of the availability of inexpensive real estate and the natural beauty and cultural attractions the city offers. From my perspective, the two recent awards go hand in hand because the cultural scene sets the stage and brings a unique quality of life to the area. It all helps bring people to the city.”
Showcasing the Glass Arts
Among those coming to town during “Pittsburgh Celebrates Glass” will be 1,500 attendees at the Glass Art Society conference, June 7-9. The prestigious event presents an opportunity for the city to showcase its best side.
“People from around the world will be coming to the conference,” says Karen Johnese, executive director of the Pittsburgh Glass Center. “What I find exciting is that these glass artists will see what can be done in Pittsburgh. Any time a glass artist moves 
here, it is good for the region’s economic development and adds to the amazing innovative spirit of the glass artists who already live here and who have moved here. Everyone is working together to make ‘Pittsburgh Celebrates Glass’ a success. It’s the most collaboration I’ve seen in the local arts community in a long time. And it’s exhilarating.”
For Marks, that spirit is only beginning.
“‘Pittsburgh Celebrates Glass is just the start,” she says. “‘Pittsburgh Roars’ was our theme last year. Next year, the city’s 250th anniversary will be the theme. And we’re already working on 2009." When it comes to celebrating, why stop?
John Altdorfer is a Pittsburgh-based freelance writer. Look for his upcomng article in Pop City about glass artists in Pittsburgh.
Photos:"Allure of Japanese Glass" at the Glass CenterMarguerite Jarret Marks"American Acid Capsule with Cloth Container", 1969-70, by Richard Marquis (from Viva Vetro! Glass Alive! Venice and America at CMoA)
Sarah Nichols in the galleries for Viva Vetro!
"Allure of Japanese Glass" at the Glass Center
Karen Johnese
All photographs copyright © Jonathan Greene
except Acid Capsule © Richard Marquis, courtesy of CMoA