Join us for compelling panel discussions that bring together thought leaders, designers, engineers, environmental experts and artists to delve into critical themes in our work to create world-class rivers and riverfronts that belong to everyone.
Set against the backdrop of our rivers, these conversations will examine how innovative design and creative expression can transform urban landscapes, making them more resilient, inclusive, and vibrant.
These conversations are made possible through the generous support of the Henry L. Hillman Foundation
The Housing Continuum
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
5:30pm-7pm | Panel begins at 6pm
Riverlife’s Shore Thing at Allegheny Landing
Riverlife’s Completing the Loop Conversations assemble expert panelists to dive into topics that are essential to our riverfronts and our region. For the next conversation, Riverlife invited experts in a critical issue that impacts Pittsburgh’s riverfronts: the lack of affordable housing and its consequences.
The conversation, titled “The Housing Continuum,” recognizes the array of housing realities that people experience, including those who are unhoused and live along the rivers, along with the range of services and activities necessary to address the issue. Our panelists include public service providers working with unhoused communities in the region, private organizations working to tackle the unhoused crisis, experts in housing development, and affordable housing advocates. Individual panelists wi describe their work, and the group will discuss how it requires a combined effort to create a region where everyone is comfortably housed.
Attendees will come away understanding the complexities of this work and will have the opportunity to talk with panelists about how they can get involved to make our riverfronts and our region more welcoming to all.
Panel discussion begins at 6PM. Audience questions will take place from 7PM to 7:30PM.
Panelist
- Camila Alarcon-Chelecki, Assistant Director, Office of Community Health & Safety, City of Pittsburgh
- Erin Dalton, Director, Department of Human Services, Allegheny County
- Jerrel Gilliam, Executive Director, Light of Life Rescue Mission
- Ed Nusser, Director of Housing Strategy, Allegheny County
- Jala Rucker, Tenant organizer and longtime housing advocate
- Benjamin Talik, ROOTS program manager
Sorry for Barging in on You
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
5pm-8pm | Panel begins at 6pm
Riverlife’s Shore Thing at Allegheny Landing
Since 1999, Riverlife has been reimagining how people connect with Pittsburgh’s rivers. The idea of transforming a barge into a creative public experience was ambitious, requiring extensive work across construction, permitting, operations, personality, experience, and artistry. On July 1, 2025, Riverlife debuted Shore Thing at Allegheny Landing, greeted by overwhelming public enthusiasm. This conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at how it all came together, made possible by a multi-functional team that believed in the vision and took a leap on something that had never been done before in the City of Pittsburgh.
Panelists
- Gavin White, Riverlife
- Josh Sasfai, RJ Brown Towing
- Steven Michael Kovacik, ZeroFossil
- Emily Balawejder, Riverlife
- Tim Madle, Creative Director Landesberg Design
- Fran Flaherty, Public Artist, The Pittsburgh Chandelier
- Janel Young, Public Artist, A New Wave
- Matt Galluzzo, Riverlife, Moderator
Artful Play: The Power of Play in Urban Landscapes
Friday, October 4, 2024
11:00am-12:00pm
Allegheny Landing
With insights from Riverlife, the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, dwg., and Shiftworks, this conversation will explore how artful play and ‘tough art’ installations contribute to our cognitive, social, and emotional development, and how we are highlighting the themes at Allegheny Landing. Discover how these creative expressions can invigorate public spaces, foster community connections, and support well-being.
The first 20 registrants will receive a complimentary ride on the Pittsburgh Oktoberfest Ferris Wheel adding a playful twist to the experience!
This event is a part of RAD Days, RAD’s annual ‘thank you’ to taxpayers, offering a chance to see the best of Allegheny County’s top cultural destinations free of charge. While Allegheny Landing is space that is open to the public, we are looking forward to bringing it to life in the shadow of a Ferris Wheel in celebration of this wonderful series of events.
Resilient Riverbanks: Flooding Solutions and Creative Design
Saturday, November 2
10:00am-11:00am
Location TBD
This conversation brings together experts from Riverlife, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the innovative artist group Sans Façon. Dive into the pressing challenges of regional flooding and discover creative, sustainable solutions that harness the power of nature and design.
