FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Lauren Young
412-945-0653 ext. 3
lauren@commonplacecoffee.com
PITTSBURGH, PA (September 1, 2021) – Commonplace Coffee and the National Opera House (NOH) today launched a rotating art installation series featuring local artist Shane Henderson. Shane produced National Opera House architectural-style prints in two different sizes and multiple colorways. The special edition prints will be displayed alongside other framed works by Shane, with all print proceeds benefiting the NOH. The first art installation is on display from September 1 through October 31 at Commonplace Coffee’s Mexican War Streets cafe at 1501 Buena Vista Street in Pittsburgh’s North Side. The art installation will then travel to the remaining three Pittsburgh-based Commonplace Coffee locations, Voluto (5467 Penn Ave) in November and December 2021, Point Breeze (6736 Reynolds Street) in January and February 2022, and Squirrel Hill (5827 Forbes Avenue) in March and April 2022.
“At the NOH, our mission is to honor the house’s history by bringing the community together and elevating artist voices. This collaboration is so special to us because it combines all of those things!” said Carly Otte, National Opera House’s operations manager. “We are very grateful to Commonplace and Shane Henderson for lending their resources and talents to our restoration efforts.”
The National Opera House is a nonprofit organization working to restore and maintain a historic home at 7101 Apple Street in Pittsburgh. The house on Apple Street is a place of enormous cultural and historical significance, both for the Pittsburgh region and the nation. It became a center of Black community life when William “Woogie” Harris, one of Pittsburgh’s first black millionaires, bought the property in 1930. The house rose to national significance in 1941, when Mary Cardwell Dawson, a celebrated musician and educator, rented the third floor of the house as an office and rehearsal space for the National Negro Opera Company, the first permanent African-American Opera company in the nation. The Queen Anne-style building, constructed in 1894, is now in imminent danger of collapse, and the team at the NOH has joined together in an effort to restore, protect and preserve it.
“We are honored to partner with the National Opera House to support their efforts and share their mission of preserving this incredibly significant historical site in Pittsburgh’s Homewood Neighborhood,” said Lauren Young, Commonplace’s marketing and communications manager. “When the NOH reached out to us, we were unfamiliar with the story of 7101 Apple Street and were humbled to learn more about its history and the mission of the NOH to restore the home. It’s been a privilege to work with them and find unique avenues for partnership in raising awareness and funds for this critical landmark.”
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About the National Opera House
The ‘National Opera House’ is a nonprofit organization, working to restore and maintain a historic home at 7101 Apple Street in Pittsburgh PA. The house was purchased in 2000 by Jonnet Solomon and the late Ms. Miriam White and together, they shared a vision and determination to see the Opera House once again being used to enhance the community. As Executive Director of the NOH, Ms. Solomon leads a team of advocates in their mission to preserve this historic site, and to make it an artistic hub for the community once again. In 2020, the National Trust for Historic Preservation added the building to its annual list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. To learn more, visit www.nationaloperahouse.org or find them on social media!
About Commonplace Coffee
Founded in 2003, Commonplace Coffee is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with seven community-based coffeehouses in Western Pennsylvania. The flagship coffeehouse as well as an additional cafe and bakery are located in Indiana, Pennsylvania. The remaining five locations as well as the roastery/headquarters are in Pittsburgh. Commonplace offers handcrafted coffee and pastries in an atmosphere that builds and fosters the neighborhoods it serves. Commonplace also provides cafe consultations, wholesale coffee, equipment, service, and training to a diverse cross-section of businesses looking to create or build their coffee program. Commonplace exists to bring people from all walks of life together as they seek to provide Solid Ground For All. Learn more by visiting commonplacecoffee.com or check them out on social media.
