Mattress Factory: Art in a Former Mattress Factory

The Mattress Factory, a modern art museum in Pittsburgh, resides in a former Stearn & Foster mattress factory. Founded by Barbara Luderowski, it showcases installations by over 650 artists. Open Wed-Sun.

Throughout the Ohio River, north of downtown Pittsburgh, a previous manufacturing facility is currently home to a modern art museum. Situated in the Mexican War Streets historic area in Pittsburgh’s Central Northside area, a single Stearn & Foster bed mattress factory, built in 1900, survives on as the Mattress Manufacturing facility.

The Mattress Factory Origin

The gallery is the creation of sculptor Barbara Luderowski, who after touring the North Side of Pittsburgh quickly after transferring to the city from Michigan, purchased the shabby structure– which had no heat– and got to work with her art.

Visiting Information

The gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday through Sunday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays, and is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Admission arrays from $17 to $22. Access for children under age 6 is complimentary.

Notable Exhibitions & History

Over its 40-year background, the gallery has actually increased to an overall of 3 historical structures to day, and has shown works by greater than 650 artists. One installation of note is that of doll musician Greer Lankton, whose final installation, “It’s All About ME, Not You,” a recreation of her Chicago apartment, gets on lasting screen.

In 1977, the website gained nonprofit standing and ended up being a public museum. Luderowski invited various other artists to reveal site-specific setup art, and today, the incubator features regional and worldwide musicians alike, consisting of an immersive installation by Taiwanese-born resident artist Ting Tong Chang.