Initiatives
Nafasi Green Space
The Nafasi Green Space is a community-led outdoor initiative in the Hill District that centers resident input, youth voice, and long-term stewardship. Developed through collaboration with local partners and neighbors, the space reflects ideas gathered during a winter design charrette with community organizations, artists, and residents, followed by engagement with students at Weil Elementary who shared how the space could support play, creativity, and everyday use. A magnolia tree planted on Arbor Day serves as an early marker of this work and as a symbol of growth and connection, while planning continues around how the site can function as a welcoming, shared environment shaped by the people who live and gather nearby.
Monthly Free Food Distributions
Each month, Nafasi on Centre hosts a free food distribution for Hill District residents and neighbors. The distribution takes place on the second Friday of each month at 11:00 AM, in partnership with the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank. Volunteers from partner organizations and neighborhood leaders support setup and distribution, helping the event run smoothly and respectfully. The distribution provides consistent access to fresh food while creating a regular point of connection for community members.
2022 Mural Installation
A Gift to the Hill District
James “Yaya” Hough, a Pittsburgh-born artist whose work reflects on history, experience, and resilience, created A Gift to the Hill District, a mural commissioned for the 58th Carnegie International as part of the city-wide public art program. The mural is installed at 2317 Centre Avenue in Pittsburgh’s historic Hill District and stands as Hough’s first major public commission in his hometown. Hough developed the project in collaboration with neighbors through community workshops where people discussed how public art could reflect their lives and aspirations, and participated in paint days alongside BOOM Concepts to help realize the mural’s panels. The resulting work celebrates the neighborhood’s cultural vitality and centers the voices of those who live there, drawing inspiration from local conversation and community expression.
Nafasi Art Market
The Nafasi Art Market at Nafasi on Centre activates Centre Avenue as a vibrant cultural moment where community members, makers, and creative entrepreneurs come together to share and celebrate local arts and crafts. Hosted at 2145 Centre Avenue, the market features 40+ local vendors, hands-on workshops, and live activities throughout the day, inviting people of all ages to engage with artists, explore handmade work, and enjoy entertainment and offerings that reflect the spirit of the Hill District. Workshops at the market have included skill-sharing experiences such as natural skincare formulation and other creative demonstrations that connect attendees with the creative process. The Nafasi Art Market is built around community celebration, local economic support, and cultural exchange, extending Nafasi’s mission of uplifting artistic practice and neighborhood connection.