Jasmine Hearn is an acclaimed interdisciplinary artist and choreographer celebrated for their deeply intuitive and evocative approach to improvised movement.
Art Comes in the Form of Jasmine Hearn’s Choreography
Raised in Houston, Texas, Jasmine draws from a rich tradition of storytelling, memory, and ancestral connections, weaving these elements into performances that bridge personal narrative with collective experience. Jasmine grounds their artistic practice in improvisation, sound, and collaboration, consistently exploring how the body archives and transmits lived histories. Jasmine’s haunting vocals during performances transport audiences into liminal, timeless spaces. Their voice creates an atmosphere that lingers long after the final note.
Beyond the stage, Jasmine is a sought-after educator. They share their unique methodologies at institutions like Stanford University and within community-centered residencies. Hearn’s artistry infuses every setting with empathy, depth, and a profound sense of shared connection.
Behind every unforgettable performance at Kelly Strayhorn Theater are the tireless efforts of J.R. Shaw and Piper Clement, who together make up the organization’s core production team. Long before the curtain rises, they collaborate closely with artists, manage design elements, take on creative challenges, and track every facet of tour and performance logistics. Their combined technical expertise are key drivers of the theater’s success. This is all anchored by a shared dedication to cultivating inclusive, artist-centered spaces and a dose of humor to navigate the demands of production.
Production Team J.R. Shaw and Piper Clement Bring Kelly Strayhorn Shows to Life
J.R. Shaw, the theater’s Production Manager, brings years of experience to his role. Part of that experience includes eight years as co-founder of Phase 3 Productions. His portfolio includes collaborations with notable Pittsburgh companies such as City Theater and Prime Stage Theater, ranging from experimental projects to large-scale productions. While studying theater at Ashland University, J.R. fell in love with production design and technology. Now, he is now known for his calm under pressure and inventive problem-solving.
As Production Coordinator, Piper Clement leverages a rich background that includes roles as staff lighting technician at Carnegie Mellon University, lead lighting technician at Bricolage Production Company, as well as electrician and scenic carpenter at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center. Piper’s academic path began at Point Park University, where he earned a BFA in Technical Design and Management, specializing in Lighting Design and Theatre Electrics. Outside the theater, Piper also finds creativity as a dedicated guitarist.
J.R. and Piper’s mutual respect and dedication foster a collaborative environment where artists and audiences alike can flourish.
In tough times, lush jewel tones come to the fore. Their stable sense of value settles us down comfortably. This jewel tone design trend brings a life to your home that’s unique and unmistakable.
Where to Shop the Jewel Tone Home Design Trend in Pittsburgh
The rich hues and stately shapes of the Beauclere Bath Collection draw on the charms of old British manors. Faceted edges bring light into expressive wheel handles inlaid with malachite. The stone’s bands of bright and dark green form a hypnotic pattern, ensuring that no two handles are exactly alike. Available at Splash Showrooms.
Pittsburgh-based Otea channels Old World maximalism into modern textiles and wallpapers. References to damasks, suzani, watercolors, nineteenth century scarves, and more, are transformed by the imagination of founder Cara George into romantic narratives that belong in the twenty-first century. Get on board with these table linens…and keep going until Otea has changed your life for the better.
Are you nutty for neutrals but also jonesing for jewel tones? Threads Soft Goods is threading the needle to deliver a combination of both with its linen pillows. In addition to the broken stripe shown here, they also offer coordinating designs with an all-over embroidered bug pattern with bead details, as well as a pillow featuring an appliqué bird with a crown of real feathers and beaded beak.
Available in basil, daffodil, and blush, Juliska’s Jardins du Monde salad and cocktail plates are ready for dishwasher, freezer, oven, and microwave. They’re also ready to deliver a dose of refreshing color to your table. Available at Glassworks.
The Rita Four-Poster Canopy Bed by Julian Chichester delivers a splash of classic red. The exact shade is neither hushed nor loud, but rather like a human pulse: warm, alive, resilient, and positive. This finely crafted piece will be appreciated for generations to come. Visit Antiquarian in Sewickley and Aspinwall.
Classic heroes like noble, dark finishes, rich jewel tones, and always-appealing blues are playing a strong game right now. However, upstart neons and offbeat pastels are challenging their dominion with lively appeal and quirky sensuality. Here, we highlight luxury dark design trends. Let the design games begin!
Where to Shop Black and Dark Design Trends in Pittsburgh
Devoted to combinations of unexpected elements, Etho Maria plays with dark and light in this 18K gold cuff bracelet coated in black rhodium. Nearly 12 carats of white, rose-cut diamonds gleam beautifully out of this luxurious darkness. Available at Louis Anthony.
Designed for everyday elegance by Century Furniture, this drinks table with an antique brass finish dresses up any seat it’s pulled next to. A pedestal dining table in this design is also available at Today’s Home.
NN.07’s sexy, innovative approach to menswear helps us smolder our way through the cold months ahead. This printed cotton corduroy shirt jacket would look just as much at home in a Rembrandt portrait as it would in one of Pittsburgh’s hipster craft breweries. At Moda in Shadyside.
The new eggersman USA showroom in Shadyside showcases a lovely range of finishes and materials for kitchens as well as indoor and outdoor spaces. Among our favorites is Osaka, a deeply textured wood material that emanates warmth and quiet luxury. Its tactile surface and rich grain make a bold, grounded statement in any space.
British designer Lee Broom teamed up with renowned Spanish porcelain giant, Lladró, for the first time this year. His Cascade collection debuted during Milan Design Week in a combination of heritage and creativity. Lladró, founded in 1953, brought its deep knowledge of porcelain to the project. Broom brought his understanding of the dramatic potential of lighting to elevate any and every room of the home…and his modern sensibilities. Shown here is Broom’s Cascade Long Hanging Lamp, a poetic combination of strength, mood, form, and function. Available at Form Fluent.
Koncept recently introduced their marble-based Dude Lamp in two classic colors: Marquina Black and Carrara White. To warm up the possible chilliness of marble, the lamp’s designer dreamed up an oversized bulb and shade combination that vividly brings the product to life. This Dude beckons us in for a visit. We’re tempted to linger! Available at Lumens.
A delightful range of warm neutrals brings a traditional Fair Isle sweater into the craze for cozy beiges and tans. Check it out at The Picket Fence in Shadyside and Sewickley.
Pittsburgh-based Hanna Dausch sees rich possibilities in the darkness and the gleam of wood. This collection of vases and candleholders (and small furniture) is made of ebonized cherry and walnut. “Ebonizing is the process of darkening wood with a solution of steel wool and vinegar. When applied, it reacts with the tannins in the wood to create a dark and rich black color. It is not a stain, but a chemical reaction in the wood. The idea for these pieces came from studying ceramic glazing techniques and figuring out how to apply the same idea to woodworking using woodworking techniques.” We think it’s time to add a piece to your collection.
Like the sky, blue never goes away…it evolves. From classic blue grays to electric indigos, the refreshing but not shocking appeal of blue is everywhere. Its comfort can feel tradition but also completely up to date. Take the plunge: you’ll love the refreshing feeling of blue.
Shopping Blue Home and Fashion Trends in Pittsburgh
This pair of Chinese hexagonal porcelain jars with lids have lyrically depicted figures in a landscape on an azure-glazed background. At 19 ½ inches tall, these vintage gems are ready to command attention on a mantle or entry table.
The 11.11 – Breeze Shirt is a hand-woven cotton canvas dyed with natural indigo. 11.11’s Lovers Shirt is a hand-woven twill made of wool and naturally dyed to give the deep charcoal color. The 11.11 – Silk Bandanna is painted by hand with natural dye. Available at Vestis in Lawrenceville.
The Lollitini Lollipop Collection’s Long Necklace is a mixture of 18K yellow gold, green gold citrine, blue topaz, mother-of-pearl, rock crystal, lapis lazuli, dyed blue chalcedony, and orange citrine. Its beauty will enhance yours every time you wear it.
Blue Shimmer Subway Tile brings the calming appeal of blue into your kitchen or bath. What a wonderful color to begin and end each day with a reassuring sense of repose. Available at Paracca Interiors.
The Kaya Scarf Neck Sweater Top in electric indigo will beam its energy from under a jacket or proclaim itself boldly all alone. Just gorgeous. Available at Rue Boutique.
Dedicated to the carefree spirit of happy days, holidays, and playdates, Emile and Ida created this cheerful blue romper for your happy child! Visit The Picket Fence in Shadyside or Sewickley for this and other unique, high-quality options in children’s clothing, home accessories, gifts, and more.
An 18K yellow gold Muse necklace by Nanis is finished with 18K yellow gold gemstone and diamond charms. The unforgettable shades of blue radiate cosmic appeal. And the allure of gold, of course, is eternal.
Knit trim zip mock coat by Kinross Cashmere will envelop you in softness and warmth all through the cooler days ahead. Available at Larrimor’s Downtown.
This new Shadyside boutique and design firm loves to develop a sense of narrative in their client installations and in-store selections. Here, a gorgeous layering of blue and white patterns tells a comfortable story of freshness, tradition, and artistry.
Thirty yarn colors bring this 40-year-old design by Gunilla Lagerhem Ullberg to life. Pulled from Kasthall’s archives for reintroduction this year, a masterful range of blues and purples offer both vibrant life and peaceful vibes.
Story by Keith Recker and Stephen Treffinger Featured Photo by Laura Petrilla
When we look into our crystal balls for a glimpse of the future, we’d like to feel welcome. The work of many designers and makers is paving the way nicely with delicate color, radiant finishes, and good intentions.
Italian designers Draga & Aurel premiered their Phebe pendant lamps at this year’s Milan Design Week in April. Part of their “Transparency Matters” collection, the lamps explore transparency with utopian, space-age overtones and a juicy, illusionistic dash of Op Art.
The designer-makers at Zieta create amazing usable sculptures out of metal. Here, the Tafla C Mirror in an emerald/sapphire finish radiates with futuristic intensity. It’s a drop-dead WOW of a piece you can’t take your eyes off. Available in 15 colors/finishes. See the folks at Weisshouse in Shadyside for more information.
This intriguing cardigan from NN.07 knits space-dyed cotton yarn into a captivating design. The color palette is simultaneously seductive and upbeat, making it a perfect choice for an afternoon with someone you love.
WOW Design’s Boho Collection melds a vintage feeling with a gentle, welcoming vision for the future. Offered in two shapes and a tightly edited color range, a wall of these beauties will transform any space you choose. Available at Tile and Designs.
SaraBeth Post Eskuche’s UltraLit collection is comprised of handblown and engraved cups, plates, and décor. Each piece diffuses ambient light into gentle radiance. She describes her mission as follows: “All that I create are moments reaching out to touch and brighten an internal lantern, a flame, the light within. The act of sharing my work in the world, sharing with those who view or wear my artwork, is a hope to remind you that your light is lit too, since from the day you are born.”
Andy Warhol is renowned the world over for his confident, splashy, colorful aesthetic. Constantly referred to, adapted, and imitated, he is an integral part of today’s visual vocabulary. His pop art style expresses itself in the design trends of Pittsburgh shops.
Andy Warhol saw imitation as flattery, so he would most likely have enjoyed filmmaker Pedro Almodovar’s playful references to silk screened imagery and the radiant palette of Interview Magazine covers from the 80s. This is a sectional that will celebrate your fifteen minutes of fame, whenever they might happen.
Why not piece together the puzzle of life with exuberance and humor? Lisa Todd offers a cashmere line that expresses this happy thought in wonderful colors and textures. Available at Carabella in Oakmont.
We love to wander through the shop at the Warhol: Andy’s wit and genius are there in abundance. Thus, on a recent visit, a radiant butterfly necklace and companion earrings fluttered into our sight line, and we just couldn’t look away. Bring your butterfly net and capture these jewels for yourself.
Dutch designer Richard Hutten introduced his “Playing with Tradition” collection for Jaipur Rugs during Milan Design Week in April. Generations-old patterns are irreverently interrupted with handfuls of “confetti” and other contemporary elements. The scattered confetti of the design shown here draws inspiration from India’s joyous Holi festival and seems to refer to Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama’s decades of ebullient dots.
Tina Frey of TF Design loves the perfect imperfections of handmade design, so it’s no surprise that her studio-crafted products are alive with individuality. She works with food safe, lead-free, BPA-free resin to sculpt and mold forms for decorating, dining, entertaining, and working. Frey recently expanded her Segment collection of storage boxes into five sizes and a range of vibrant jewel tones. Available in Lawrenceville at Shoppe B.
Got a craving for a hearty snack? Try this Beef and Onion Knishes recipe which features flavorful beef, onions, and mashed potatoes baked in dough.
What Cut of Beef to Buy?
Our friends at the Pennsylvania Beef Council recommend using a chuck arm roast with this recipe. It’s economical, flavorful, and best when slow-cooked, making it the perfect cut to cook in advance for this recipe.
Pair a Salad with Knishes For a Perfect Dinner
We recommend a fresh and nutritious salad to serve with your Beef and Onion Knishes! Try one of these seven fantastic Winter Salad Recipes. You’re sure to find one that strikes your fancy. Our favorite with beef knishes? It’s Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad. If you can’t find fresh cranberries, dried cranberries will do just fine.
Non-stick skillet over medium heat until hot. Add leeks, salt and pepper; adjust heat to low. Cook 5 to 7 minutes or until the vegetables are soft and begin to brown. Set aside to cool.
In a large bowl, combine beef, leeks, potatoes and cream cheese, mixing gently but thoroughly. Season with salt and pepper as desired.
Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a small bowl, combine toppings.
Using a rolling pin, roll out one dinner roll to a 4-inch circle. Place 1/4 cup beef mixture in the center of the roll. Pull edges of dough over beef mixture, pinch the dough closed. With your thumb, create a dent in the middle of the knish. Place the knish on a parchment-lined, shallow-rimmed baking sheet. Repeat with remaining rolls.
Brush each knish with egg; sprinkle topping mixture on each knish. Bake in a 350°F oven 30 to 35 minutes or until the knish is golden brown. Let the knish rest about 10 minutes before serving.
For more information about chuck arm roast and for additional recipes visit pabeef.org.
Brined, seared and finished with a sizzling pan sauce, this Pork Chop with Bacon and Pickled Peppers recipe transforms a familiar cut into something extraordinary. The overnight brine infuses the chop with flavor and tenderness, while a quick sear in rich tallow or duck fat creates a golden crust. Smoky bacon, confit garlic, and tangy pickled peppers come together in the pan to make a sauce that’s rustic yet elegant; an irresistible mix of salty, sweet, and spicy. It’s the kind of restaurant-worthy pork chop recipe that feels celebratory but approachable, equally suited to a weeknight indulgence or a dinner party centerpiece.
Combine water, salt, sugar, bay leaves, mustard seed, and garlic until dissolved. Place your pork chop in and refrigerate for 12 hours.
Remove pork chop from brine, and air-dry uncovered in refrigerator for 12 hours.
Sear the pork chop in tallow or duck fat in a frying pan until one side is browned to your liking. Flip it in the pan and transfer to a 450 degree oven for 10–15 minutes until medium (135 degrees). Remove from pan to a resting rack, rest for 5 minutes.
In the hot pan add bacon, garlic, and pickled peppers. Add red pepper flakes and baby peppers to taste. Cook until bacon develops a good sear. Pour the contents of the pan over the pork chop on a plate.
This isn’t your average plate of gnocchi. At Jillian’s Restaurant, Chef Philip Call reimagines the Italian classic by pairing pillowy ricotta-and-chèvre gnocchi with rich, fall-off-the-bone braised oxtail and tender collard greens. The dish strikes a beautiful balance. The gnocchi are light yet indulgent. The oxtail delivers deep, slow-cooked flavor, and the collards add a touch of Southern soul. It’s a recipe that speaks to the heart of seasonal cooking. Taking time, care, and humble ingredients, and transforming them into something unforgettable.
