Planet Art Gallery To Close Doors, Continue Business Online

With a mix of works by regional artists and crafts people, Planet Art Gallery opened on May 1, 2006, along a popular stretch of Washington Road in Mt. Lebanon.

Over time, gallery owners, potters and glass artists Gregory and Linda Mitchell assembled close to 100 artists and artisans who sold on consignment creations including paintings, jewelry, blown glass and turned wooden items.

The gallery site at 632 Washington soon will be history, but sales will continue online. "The gallery had been doing fairly well, but we experienced a definite slowdown in sales from September on, presumably due to the recession," Mrs. Mitchell said.

Link: www.post-gazette.com/pg/09036/946984-55.stm

Holiday Worries Local Merchants

Art is one of the first things that worried consumers cut out of their budgets, said Greg Mitchell, of Mt. Lebanon, who owns Planet Art Gallery with his wife, Linda. The store is at 632 Washington Road in Mt. Lebanon.

His business has seen a "definite downturn" the past three months compared with the same period last year, he said. The two weeks before Christmas are the store's busiest time.

Link: www.post-gazette.com/pg/08331/930667-55.stm

Lebo Art Galleries Participate In Conference

Three Mt. Lebanon Galleries--Art Loft, Planet Art and Create A Frame/Handworks--will participate in the 42nd Annual Conference of the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts coming to Pittsburgh March 19-25. The Art Loft will feature the works of Philadelphia artist Jacquie Jrolf and California artist Una Mjurka.

Create A Frame/Handworks will host the exhibit "Teapots and Other Clay Stuff" with the works of Ron Korcynski, who will also be a speaker at the conference. "Echoes from the Rust Belt," featuring ceramic artists from Cleveland and Pittsburgh, will be at Planet Art Gallery.

All three Washington Road galleries will have their openings from 6 to 9 p.m. March 20. For more information, contact: Art Loft at 412-563-3003 or visit www.artloftpittsburgh.com; Create A Frame/Handworks at 412-341-1744 or visit www.CreateAFrameHandworks.com; or Planet Art Gallery at 412-343-3808 or visit www.planetartgallery.com.

Link: www.post-gazette.com/pg/08052/859029-55.stm

Lebo Businesses Best In Pittsburgh

The September 2007 Pittsburgh Magazine lists a number of Mt. Lebanon based businesses that have been voted as the best in the city. They are as follows:

•  Best Baristas - Aldo Coffee
•  Best Out-Of-This-World Art Gallery - Planet Art Gallery
•  Best Wine Bar - Enoteca at Il Pizzaiolo
•  Best Fruit Tarts - French Tart Bakery

Congratulations to everyone!