Secret Pittsburgh

When wandering through the Mexican War Streets of Pittsburgh, one would not expect to find a vivid, psychedelic dream home amongst the unsuspecting rowhouses. But that’s exactly what you’ll stumble upon when you turn down Jacksonia Street—a rainbow river of bricks leading up to the most colorful structure in the entire city: Randyland. This bizarre, brightly painted building and courtyard museum is the passion project of Randy Gilson, an artist and beloved community member in Pittsburgh’s Northside. Randy and his late partner, Mac, purchased the lot at the corner of Arch Street and Jacksonia Street in 1995 for $10,000. Over the years, the two men turned the run-down property into a gorgeous sanctuary for all to admire and enjoy. They lived there together for over twenty years until Mac passed away from cancer in 2019. Prior to his death, Mac and Randy were able to go on a once-in-a-lifetime vacation to the Grand Canyon and Los Angeles. Friends and fans around the world had raised money for their trip via a GoFundMe page. The love shared by Randy and Mac can still be felt when visiting Randyland. Their mutual dream to turn a once dilapidated, unsavory space into a welcoming, comfortable place is evident wherever you look. The beauty that they had hoped to bring to the neighborhood is overwhelming, literally spilling out onto the sidewalks.

Gracing the rainbow brick pavement, you stand beside a giant map painted on the side of the house, depicting the surrounding vicinity. Stepping further down, a fence displaying a collection of signs and eclectic painted cut-outs leads you towards the entrance. Just outside of it, you’ll find a variety of arrows pointing towards other nearby landmarks. Randyland is about more than just art—it’s about creating a hub that connects people with everything the Northside has to offer. With so much culture located in one central area, it makes sense that Randy would encourage his guests to explore even more. By adding these signs to point visitors towards other nearby attractions, Randy invites them to support local businesses. Several of the places the arrows direct you to can be found on Secret Pittsburgh’s map if you’d like to learn more about them.

Continuing your walk towards the gates, you’re greeted by a wooden archway bearing a sign that says “Welcome to Randyland”. When you pass under it, you enter what feels like a whole different world. There are zany sculptures, plants in strange pots, and murals all around. Nearly everything in sight is covered in paint. The technicolor landscape offers a stark contrast to the mundane structures surrounding it. Looking down Jacksonia Street, most of the homes are neutral tones, the few flowers are simple and refined, and the concrete sidewalks are grey and chipped. Walking into Randyland is similar to falling down the rabbit hole into Wonderland…except with fewer rabbits and more rubber ducks in trees. An atmosphere of joy is palpable there, with each item that has been given a new life radiating its own vibrant air.

Chairs can be found everywhere—even hanging off the fire escape. Some are more usable than others, but they offer visitors a place to sit for a while and enjoy everything around them. There’s an entire wall covered in signs that say “welcome” in more than 140 different languages, each made by visitors from various cultures. This is actually the largest international welcome wall in the entire country. Anyone who speaks a language that hasn’t yet been added is encouraged to take a moment to create their own arrow for the collection. Toys are strewn about the courtyard—many for children to play with, while some are simply for decoration. There is even an impressive chandelier made out of toy cars. Old mannequin heads with faces can be found both in groups and by themselves. A few are sitting on top of what used to be full-bodied mannequins, but are now only legs and a waist. One thing you won’t find at Randyland is waste...the majority of items that Randy has collected are upcycled, meaning that they’ve been saved from going to the dump. Instead, they’ve been repurposed and turned into fun, quirky sculptures that bring joy to others.

Everyday objects become art when Randy gets a hold of them. Things like shoes, vintage phones, birdcages, musical instruments, and more find new life here. Vine-covered walls conceal hidden treasures to be discovered by those willing to take a closer look. Wooden cut-outs of Randy are scattered throughout the garden, giving guests a few Easter eggs to be on the lookout for as they walk around. Mirrors can be found in numerous places, including a large array of them gathered together in one spot, making a fun place to take photos of yourself and your friends. Amongst the living plants, massive flowers made of painted wooden stakes graciously bloom. And in case the mannequin heads and lower halves weren’t enough for you, there are plenty of equally striking full-size mannequins to admire. These are just a handful of items you’ll find as you explore; the rest you’ll have to see for yourself.

Before you leave this whimsical, wacky world, be sure to stop by the general store and check out the various Randyland souvenirs you can bring home with you. There are hand-painted tote bags, handbags, hats, and more for sale, so don’t forget to take a look on your way out. While these are items that must be paid for, getting into Randyland is 100% free. Though donations are appreciated to help with upkeep costs, they’re never expected. This is one Pittsburgh attraction that won’t cost you a dime, but will certainly be worth your time. As you take one last look around the courtyard, remember to take a moment to appreciate Randy’s gift to the city of Pittsburgh. With his kindness and creativity, along with the help of the love of his life, Randy transformed an ordinary street into a magical one and brought hope to his community. If you happen to run into him during your visit, know that his ever-present smile will likely leave you grinning too.

Works Cited 

Hanz, Joyce. “After Randyland's Namesake Loses Partner, Friends Chip in with Crowdfunding.” TribLIVE.com, 28 Jan. 2019, https://triblive.com/local/after-randylands-namesake-loses-partner-friends-chip-in-with-crowdfunding/.

“Let's Make The Largest Welcome Wall in America.” Randyland's Facebook Page, 20 Oct. 2017, https://fb.watch/9QNviNU7ET/. Accessed 14 Dec. 2021.

Taylor, Craig. “After 23 Years, Randyland Owners Set for Dream Vacation.” Pittsburgh Magazine, 31 Mar. 2017, https://www.pittsburghmagazine.com/after-23-years-randyland-owners-set-for-dream-vacation/.