Why Songbird Artistry is Taking Off in a New Direction

PHOTO COURTESY OF DEBBIE JACKNIN/SONGBIRD ARTISTRY

After nearly a decade on Penn Avenue, Songbird Artistry has sung its final tune. 

The Lawrenceville storefront, known for its community, connection and creativity, officially shut its doors on April 12.

Debbie Jacknin, who opened the store in 2016 with her two daughters, Jenny and Jacklyn Orefice, says closing the storefront wasn’t based on one decision, but rather multiple factors.

“What I would say is that it was a series of decisions…we wouldn’t have closed because of minor factors, but it was a combined amount of things that made us realize that our place on Penn was no longer serving our needs,” she says.

While it was the family’s dream space due to its architecture and prime location, Debbie explains that due to her age, schedule and the area’s increasing rent, she realized it made more sense to focus on shows rather than Songbird Artistry’s brick-and-mortar shop.

“I’ll be 66 … and I want to work less, not more,” she says. 

Parking also played a significant role in their decision.

“There have been so many people who have come up to us and said that they would have stopped by the shop if there had been parking,” she says. “It’s not like other places Downtown. If you’re in Lawrenceville, Bloomfield where we are, if you can’t find parking, you can’t find parking.”

Jacknin says she is actively searching for a new space that will foster the same sense of inclusivity fostered at Songbird Artistry. 

“I feel like we’re leaving a hole in the Pittsburgh community. And this is why we would eventually like to find another space,” she says. “First off, we’ve created a space that’s inclusive. I don’t care who you are, but when you walk into my shop, you will feel welcome. And in the society that we live in, that’s more important than ever.”

The owners are currently partnered with Hollow Oak Land Trust to find a new storefront, preferably a Victorian home where they can recreate their signature warm and welcoming environment; they also are working closely with Phipps Conservatory, where they host an array of classes that range from stained-glass mosaics to terrarium making. 

In the meantime, the family can still be found at different pop-up events and art shows including the Three Rivers Arts Festival, Squirrel Hill Night Market and Picklesburgh. Their products also are sold at various locations including the Heinz History Center, Lucy’s in the Strip and I Made It! Market.

“We still are out there. There’s other places you’re going to see us. We haven’t flown the coop, we’re just kind of out there flying around to a different location.”

The idea behind Songbird Artistry originally hatched when co-owner Jenny Orefice started making jewelry in high school. As the business grew, it led to a booth at the Pittsburgh Public Market under the name Jenns Jems. In 2016, the family business moved into its storefront across from UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh as Songbird Artistry.

“It’s like a kettle. I have art inside of me and I have to do it.” Jacknin says. 

The name Songbird Artistry sparked from Jacknin’s late husband, Larry. When they were first dating, she recalled being on the beach with him while he painted a landscape that included birds. There, she came up with the nickname Larry Bird. After Larry passed away in 2016, the name of the business came to the family quite easily.

“We’ve always loved birds. We’ve always loved songs,” she says. “My kids both have their love of music and singing. And artistry made sense because we were artists who wanted to bring other artists together. And while we’re just closing this nest, we’re going to find a new nest.”