Melissa Catanese won a creative development award from The Heinz Endowments

Melissa Catanese, a teaching associate professor in the University of Pittsburgh’s Department of Studio Arts, received a 2023 Investing in Creative Development Awards from The Heinz Endowments.

Catanese uses photographs to build narratives in the form of artist’s books and wall installations. The $20,000 award will fund her project inspired by the classic Shirley Jackson short story, “The Lottery.”

The 15 Pittsburgh artists and organizations who received grants, totaling $296,450, were selected from nearly 90 applicants by a group of 11 regional and national artists and educators. The awardees represent a diverse range of artistic disciplines, including filmmaking, music, theater and 3D-printed sculpture.