The Mattress Factory

As I've gotten older, I've grown fonder of art museums and the beauty and chaos that they encompass. Thankfully, Pittsburgh, a cultural hub, offers a variety of museums and art exhibits completely free to Pitt students with a valid ID. One of my personal favorites is The Mattress Factory located in the North Side of Pittsburgh. About 20 minutes away from campus, The Mattress Factory is comprised of three buildings to explore and submerge yourself in some of the funkiest art displays Pittsburgh has to offer.

It was only this past year that I visited The Mattress Factory for the first time myself. Plenty of friends and acquaintances have raved about the museum, and I must say, their claims would hold up in a court of law. Once you make your way to the admissions desk, you're taken up an elevator to the fourth floor and are instructed to work your way down. Each level offers a unique artistic experience that often changes depending on the duration of the exhibit. Some art pieces are interactive. Some are drawings. Some are sculptures. All are intriguing.

My favorite part of the museum requires visitors to remove their shoes, moving through the exhibit pictured below, which honestly is a MOOD.

Maneuvering between buildings can be a bit confusing, entrances and exits difficult to discern between. Honestly, just follow the crowd. No matter where you end up, the destination will be interesting.

A trip to the Mattress Factory certainly won't disappoint. One of the most beautiful things about art is that we all are able to interact with it in completely different ways. My experience may reflect that of your own in certain ways, but the experience will be all your own, and it's an experience that I encourage you to have at least once. Grab a friend or two on a rainy day. Be bold and go explore on your own. More art. More life.

MATTRESS FACTORY 500 SAMPSONIA WAY PARKING AT 505 JACKSONIA STREET PITTSBURGH PA 15212 412.231.3169