Retired Pittsburgh Teacher Turns To Art; Exhibit On Tap

PITTSBURGH, PA — Leigh Bishop imparted many life lessons as a Pittsburgh Public Schools kindergarten teacher for three decades.

Now she's attempting to do the same through her art.

Using supplies and materials that she amassed during her career before her retirement, she created a 150-piece collection of artistic pieces using shadow box frames, paints and various trinkets. Each is adorned with a message or saying designed to inspire introspection and interpretation.

"It's all very whimsical, sometimes quirky, but it's good life wisdom," Bishop told Patch. "It's also meant to be entertaining and fun. There are also sayings from pop culture that people who watch things like 'Game of Thrones' or 'Ted Lasso' will recognize."

An exhibit of Bishop's works will occur March 28 at 7 p.m. at Ketchup City Creative on Main Street in Sharpsburg.

What is remarkable is that all of the 150 pieces were created over just a 90-day period. The fast and furious pace proved so voluminous that she had to line the stairway of her Fox Chapel home with the finished works.

Bishop is fine with that, though.

"This art is truly my full circle moment because it was built from a treasure trove of inspiration—the basement of art supplies collected during my 30-year teaching career," she said.

"It is proof we all are kindergartners at heart."