South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association

"Neighbors working together to make the Slopes a more livable, beautiful, and safe community"

Category: Opportunities

  • StepTrek Art Contest

    Now Accepting Entries!

    Let your creativity climb as high as the South Side Slopes. We’re inviting local artists to create original artwork inspired by Pittsburgh StepTrek and the South Side Slopes—and your design could become the official look of StepTrek 2027.

    Theme

    Create artwork that celebrates:

    • Pittsburgh StepTrek
    • The South Side Slopes
    • Our iconic stairways, hillsides, and neighborhood spirit

    Show us what StepTrek means to you!

    Your artwork can be anything from a scenic illustration to an abstract design—or even text-based art using the words “Pittsburgh StepTrek.”

    For All Ages

    This contest is open to artists of all ages. 

    Winners will be selected in three groups:

    • 10 & under
    • 11-18 years old
    • 19+  

    Important Dates

    • Submission Deadline: September 18
    • Online Voting: September 21 – October 5
    • Winners Announced: October 12

    How to Enter

    • Use any medium: pencils, paints, markers, or digital art
    • Create your artwork using traditional materials (paper or canvas) or create digital art.  
    • Square, portrait, or landscape layout will work
    • Submit your artwork below by September 18, 2026

    Digitizing Traditional Artwork

    If you create traditional art, you’ll need to convert it into a digital file before uploading. You can scan your artwork or take a high‑quality photo of it.

    When photographing your piece, use the best camera available, make sure the lighting is bright and even, and crop the image so only your artwork is visible. Avoid glare, shadows, and background clutter so your work looks its best.  

    Digital art created on a phone, tablet, or computer is also welcome.

    When submitting your file, please name it using your first and last name. Example: brian-smith.jpg

    Content & Originality Guidelines  

    Submitted artwork must be your original creation. No tracing or copying of others’ artwork.

    Fully AI‑generated artwork is not permitted. Artists may use digital tools or software to enhance or refine their original work, but the core artwork must be created by the artist.  

    Teachers may submit artwork on behalf of their students.

    Artwork should be family‑friendly and free of discriminatory, hateful, or political content. We reserve the right to exclude submissions that do not align with the spirit of StepTrek.  

    Recognition & Awards  

    • All artwork will be displayed at StepTrek on October 3, 2026
    • Winners will be announced on October 12, 2026
    • Winning artwork may be featured on StepTrek 2027 t‑shirts, postcards, posters, stickers, merchandise, and graphics used on our website and in our marketing materials.  

    Celebrate Creativity + Community
    StepTrek is a celebration of the South Side Slopes, its beauty, resilience, and people. This contest gives local artists the chance to help shape a beloved Pittsburgh tradition.

    Start creating today. We can’t wait to see your masterpiece!

    Submit Here!

  • 2025 Flower Contest – Register

    Register here!

  • South Side Slopes Holiday Light Up Event

    The South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association wants you to showcase your holiday spirit with a home decorating and light up event!

    A local photographer will take photos of the neighborhood between December 16-30, 2024. If you would like to have your house photographed and show off your holiday and neighborhood spirit, please register at the link below by December 14 so we can snap a photo of your house and include you in the photo album we’ll share with everyone on our email list and through our social media channels.

    Get Clark Griswold crazy or keep it classy! (It’s not a contest or a light fight). Happy Holidays! 

    REGISTER YOUR HOUSE FOR THE HOLIDAY LIGHT UP EVENT

  • 2024 SSSNA Flower Contest

    Do you love to garden? Are you excited to show off your green thumb this year? Then enter the South Side Slopes Flower Contest, open to all Slopes residents!

    REGISTER NOW!


    Focusing on the front-facing façade of your home, we will have $100 giftcard prizes for:

    • Best Simple Planter – for those with little space but go above and beyond with a single pot or window box
    • Best Front Garden – for those who have more than a simple planter and want to go all in
    • Most Popular – where your vote will determine the best out there!

    The space must be at least 80% green (we love a good statue but we want to see your green thumbs at work.) Also, it must be visible from the street or a public space.  

    Submissions must be in by Sunday, July 28th, with garden spaces to be ready to photograph by Friday, August 9th. Photographs would likely be taken over the weekend of August 9th, or the next sunny day.

    REGISTER NOW!


    Voting will occur between August 26th to September 2nd and winners will be announced by Friday September 6th.


    Feeling like trekking it? Maps will be available on Social Media around  August 26th.

    Can’t wait to beautify the neighborhood with you!

  • Tell Us Your Thoughts!

    The South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association (SSSNA) wants your feedback! We are an all-volunteer organization. Our mission is to maintain, foster and improve the quality of life, safety and unity of our Slopes neighborhood. 

    This short survey aims to capture your experiences, preferences, and suggestions, helping us to make informed decisions that support our community. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts!

    Fill out this Brief 4-question Survey!

  • Show your Holiday Spirit!

    The South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association (SSSNA) wants to showcase your holiday spirit with a home decorating and light up photo event.
    A photographer will be taking photos of the neighborhood any time starting Dec. 15th thru Dec. 25th, 2023. If you would like to participate, please register at the link below by December 14th so we can find you!

    Register at https://forms.gle/AcXq8X5q8xDxRmDK7

    The SSSNA would like to encourage neighbors to join the holiday walking tour to see your ho-ho-home shine. 

    We hope to capture the beauty of the holidays on the Slopes for all to enjoy! Get Clark Griswold crazy or keep it classy, but this is not a contest or a light fight.

  • Vote for the 1st Annual SSSNA Flower Contest

    Help us pick the best flowers on the South Side Slopes! Vote for your favorite below by commenting here!

    Want to walk and see the gardens in person? Follow the map!

    Winners will be announced at the South Side Slopes picnic on Tuesday, July 11th!

  • Enter the South Side Slopes Flower Contest and Showcase Your Green Thumb!

    Do you love to garden? Are you excited to show off your green thumb this year? Then enter the South Side Slopes Flower Contest, open to all Slopes residents!

    Focusing on the front-facing façade of your home, we will have prizes for:
    1) Best Simple Planter (for those with little space but go above and beyond with a single pot or window box)

    2) Best Front Garden (for those who have more than a simple planter and want to go all in)

    3) Most Popular (where your vote will determine the best out there!)

    To be eligible, your garden space must be at least 80% green. We love a good statue, but we want to see your green thumbs at work!

    Submissions must be in by Wednesday, June 14th with garden spaces to be ready to photograph by Friday, June 30th. 

    Voting will occur between July 5th to July 10th and winners will be announced at our annual community picnic at Bandi Schaum Community Garden on July 11th.

    Feeling like trekking it? Maps will be available on Social Media around July 5th to help you explore the beautiful gardens and enjoy the scenery.

    The South Side Slopes Flower Contest aims to beautify the neighborhood and showcase the gardening talents of our residents. Whether you have a small space or a grand front garden, we want to celebrate your efforts and inspire others in our community. By participating in the contest, you can contribute to a more vibrant and welcoming neighborhood for everyone.

    Click here to enter!

  • Arlington Rec Center Mural Survey

    Arlington Rec Center Mural Survey

    The South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association (SSSNA) is soliciting ideas for a new mural on the side of the Arlington Recreation Center (2201 Salisbury St, Pittsburgh, PA 15210). 

    Click here to fill out the Survey!

    This Community Input Survey can be filled out until March 15, 2023. Results will be shared with the artist team painting the mural. 

  • Love Your Block: Volunteer Day at Mission & Barry Streets is Oct. 15

    On Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. we need a bit of your elbow grease to help beautify the hillside at the corner of Barry & Mission Streets. Through the City of Pittsburgh, the South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association was awarded a Love Your Block grant to beautify the site. Join neighbors to work by preparing the ground, plant flowering shrubs and perennials and spread mulch. We also hope to level a spot near the top of the hillside and build/place a sitting bench. Join us and bring a friend or three. Lunch is provided! 

    Sign up to let us know you’re coming!

    Questions? Call 412-606-9372.