Artists say their work was stolen at Pittsburgh’s Three Rivers Arts Festival

Dillon Carr
Sunday, June 9, 2019 9:05 p.m. | Sunday, June 9, 2019 9:05 p.m.

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A digital rendering of a painting owned by Chris Jackson that he said was stolen between Saturday night and Sunday morning.

A digital rendering of a painting owned by Chris Jackson that he said was stolen between Saturday night and Sunday morning.

A digital rendering of a painting owned by Chris Jackson that he said was stolen between Saturday night and Sunday morning.

A digital rendering of a painting owned by Chris Jackson that he said was stolen between Saturday night and Sunday morning.

Several artists selling their work at Pittsburgh’s Three Rivers Arts Festival came to their tents Sunday to find some of their pieces missing.

“There were four pieces on walls on display and someone must have snuck into the tent somehow, through the back I think, and taken them,” said Chris Jackson, a Chicago painter selling artwork during the 60th annual arts festival.

In all, he said his stolen paintings were worth $3,575.

“And they’re kind of big. So that’s more of my question. … It’s not like they’re something you can hide under a jacket — you gotta carry these,” Jackson said, adding the pieces weighed anywhere from 15 to 20 pounds apiece, frames and all.

Jackson was not alone.

Dave DiCello, a renown Pittsburgh photographer, said on Twitter Sunday that half a case of his coasters with photos on them were stolen. He tweeted a photo on his account that showed the coasters priced at $7.50 each.

@DaveDiCello well known Pittsburgh photographer had a bout 100 coasters stolen out of his booth here at the three Rivers arts Festival @DavidWPXI @WPXI @WPXIAaronMartin @PghPoliceChief @WPXIMikeHolden #Pittsburgh pic.twitter.com/PRKyb8i7I6

— Stephen Banfield (@coachtvnews) June 9, 2019

Another Pittsburgh portrait artist, Lex Covato, said her tent had three large pieces missing Sunday morning.

One painted portrait was of Andy Warhol.

“It was really a big fan favorite this year,” Covato said, adding the original piece was selling for $900.

The two others, portraits of Mr. Rogers and Tim Burton, were priced at $150 each.

“It’s a bummer. … I just had won the Jury’s Choice Award so I was really excited (Sunday) morning,” she said. “I will do the show again, but it’s sad to be on guard and have to go to extreme lengths to protect your art.

“Art is to inspire and enjoy. And to attach a crime to it is very strange.”

Jackson said he, DiCello, Covato and another artist, Claudia Carreon, all had tents that were set up near one another. Carreon, a jeweler, did not respond to a request for comment.

Pittsburgh Police did not respond Sunday to a request for comment.