The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership is adding a twist to holiday window displays with a contest this season.

“As a retail store, your window displays are one of the most important marketing tools you have,” said Suzanne Mauro, a Pittsburgh-based retail consultant. “They can make someone passing by, enter your store and become a customer. You are communicating the store’s image through your displays.”

Mauro, who has designed windows for decades, is participating in the competition as part of its “reimagined holiday season of attractions and activities.”

She is one of 13 local creatives selected to collaborate with a Downtown retail store for a window design by Jayla Patton, who made the 3,500-square-foot pavement mural “Colorful Growth/Soft Waves” for the PDP in September.

People can vote for their favorite window through Dec. 16. Ballots are available at the participating businesses and the Peoples Gas Holiday Market Information Booth in Market Square.

The winner receives $2,000 to donate to a charity of their choosing.

[gps-image name=”3314370_web1_PTR-HOLIDAYWINDOW-FRESH.jpg”]

Mauro teamed with Beth Buenaventura, owner of Fresh Nostalgia on Sixth Street, for a vintage theme — “Theatre de la Mode Pittsburgh Style” — which invokes Paris fashion designers from the 1940s.

Mauro made outfits for miniature figures and incorporated merchandise from the boutique. She included the Kaufmann’s clock, a Downtown landmark.

Mauro, who didn’t know Buenaventura, said this was a perfect opportunity to learn about a new store. Customers have asked to buy all the items in the display, Buenaventura said.

“Suzanne had a really cute concept that fit perfectly with my store’s identity,” said Buenaventura. “A store window is so important. I love working together. The retail community and the artists are a cohesive group and we all need that right now.”

The collaboration between artists and Downtown retailers showcases two sectors that have been hard hit by the pandemic, according to the PDP.

“People gain such joy from artistic endeavors like this one,” said Patton, an illustrator, comic artist, animator and educator. “They inspire new artists, and spark thought and creativity often when times seem to be their darkest.”

Each artist had 25 days to complete the project and was given $500. They started with 2,500 ballots and had to order more, Patton said.

“It is so important this year to find holiday spirit and this is a way to do it safely while looking at some amazing window displays,” said Patton, who hopes this becomes an annual event. “So many artists have had shows canceled or done digitally.”

[gps-image name=”3314370_web1_PTR-HOLIDAYWINDOW-SOCIAL.jpg”]

“Small, independent businesses and artists have experienced similar financial challenges due to drastically reduced consumer traffic and business opportunities, so they naturally felt connected,” said Jeremy Waldrup, CEO and president of the PDP in a statement.

Dan Zillmer, manager at the Heinz Healey’s men’s clothing store on Fifth Avenue, said he jumped at the chance to be a part of this to bring people to the city.

“Shopping has been different during the pandemic,” Zillmer said. “We want people to feel comfortable coming back Downtown. This will give people an opportunity to see what we have to offer. So many times people come in and tell us they saw something in the window that brought them into the store.”

One might think of the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg when you look at the window designed by Staci “B” Backauskas, an artist, writer and teacher known as “The Haiku Ninja.” She collaborated with Brianna Herr, who works at Peter Lawrence on Wood Street.

Backauskas created a classic black and white cape with red trim. She included a turntable so passersby can see the entire look. The work includes words hand inked on the garment.

“People need a way to stay connected, and helping with that is my ministry,” Backauskas said. “I created a window that is secular because I wanted it to be inclusive.”

A 3-D design was the thought of Jen Joyce of Jen Joyce Art & Photography at 306 Forbes Boutique on Forbes. She proposed a magical or whimsical design that includes snow and showcases the skirts and sequin tops the store sells.

“A lot of people who work Downtown are working from home and not as many people are coming to the city to shop or eat at restaurants,” Joyce said.

Patton said this is a way to get people excited about a business they might not know about.

“Art helps people digest different types of knowledge,” Patton said. ”Artists are always learning and looking for new ways to broaden their experiences. Being part of this project can open a lot of doors for them through their windows.”

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)