The Peapod of Pittsburgh will be a creative space and community market for accessing creativity, expression and valued employment opportunities for people of varying abilities in a setting that promotes inclusive, appreciative communities, and a world free of ableism.  The idea for this project was created by Teresa Martuccio and Lizzie Anderson, who have experience in this area, and informed by many others in response to a call from those most affected for a space like this (accessible, focused, involved) to exist in the city of Pittsburgh.

The Peapod stands for what we stand for:

Passion

Expression
Appreciation

Possibility

Opportunity

Dignity

Most of the program will be located in Bloomfield on Penn Avenue in a lovely old building that will be so handsome, cozy and practical when it is done. There we will have our studio and supplies for the artists and gardeners who participate in the program to create their art.  There will also be a store front market where art, crafts and garden produce will be sold to the city.  Not only will our program be serving the artists and gardeners who attend, it will also be serving the community with various products and services - something that will be based on the participants' and communities' wants.  The space will also be available as a place for other ideas to take flight. Accessible yoga? Open studio? Workshops on disability and ableism? General use for meetings and more! We are open! We want this accessible space to be a place people of all abilities can and want to be.  We see this as a way not to segregate but create more open worlds for our city.

The other parts of our program will be at Wild Red's farm in Stanton Heights - a beautiful piece of land where we will all get to experience the good soil, good energy and growth of the fresh herbs, flowers and whatever else people desire that we will grow for the store. We are looking forward to spending the warmer months up there with accessible beds, tools and pathways.  It is generally agreed upon that gardening and being in nature is therapeutic so not only is it a place to grow things to sell, it will also provide an opportunity often denied to people with disabilities - an opportunity we should all have and benefit from.