A Local Renaissance: How LocalGood Is Transforming Pittsburgh’s Artistic Landscape
PITTSBURGH—When Desiree Vuocolo co-founded Local-Good.com in October 2020, she had a clear vision: to create a community where artists could thrive without the financial and logistical barriers that often hinder creative pursuits. Four years later, that vision has grown into a thriving platform that has become a lifeline for local artists and a beacon for ethically conscious consumers.
“What we’ve accomplished in four years is nothing short of incredible,” said Vuocolo during a recent meeting with her team. “People are always amazed when I tell them we don’t have a full-time staff. This has been a labor of love from a small group of us who work full-time jobs and dedicate our free time to this community.”
A Response to Crisis
LocalGood launched during one of the most challenging times for artists in recent history. The COVID-19 pandemic devastated the arts community, with many artists losing 80% of their income in its first two years. But Vuocolo saw this as an opportunity to move faster.
“When the pandemic hit, my web designer Chris Jezsowicz said, ‘We can’t move forward now; everything is going to hell.’ But I said, ‘No, we need to go faster,’” Vuocolo recalled. “And I was right. Artists needed us more than ever.”
In its first four years, LocalGood has built a robust platform that combines sales, marketing, and community-building to help artists succeed. Unlike many online marketplaces, LocalGood does not charge artists until their work sells, a commitment Vuocolo says sets the platform apart.
“Artists are already spending so much on supplies, marketing, and events,” she said. “We don’t want to add to that burden. That’s why we only make money when they do and that money is invested back into the community to help other artists.”
Reaching Milestones
One of the site’s most significant achievements is its ability to support artists who face increasing financial pressures. According to the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council’s 2025 Artist Community Survey, nearly a quarter of artists in the region earn less than $15,000 annually from all sources.
“It’s heartbreaking,” said Vuocolo. “You can’t live on $15,000 a year, especially when you’re also paying for materials, booth fees, and marketing. That’s why we focus so much on making it easier and more affordable for artists to sell their work.”
LocalGood also stands out for its emphasis on community. The site not only connects artists with buyers but also fosters collaboration among creatives. Artists can leverage each other’s networks, and the platform actively promotes their work through social media and marketing campaigns.
Looking Ahead
With a newly redesigned website, LocalGood is poised for its next phase of growth. The updated platform features enhanced functionality to make it easier for buyers to shop, but Vuocolo emphasizes that the mission remains the same.
“We’re going back to basics this year,” she said. “It’s time to reintroduce the company and remind people why we’re here. Our goal is to help artists be self-sustaining, to build a community that people can rely on, and to make it easy for buyers to support local art.”
The team also plans to expand its reach by marketing directly to artists and forging partnerships with local organizations and publications. “There’s still so much potential,” Vuocolo said. “We want to find the people who care about buying handmade, who value local, and make it easy for them to discover the incredible talent we have in this region.”
A Movement, Not Just a Marketplace
For Vuocolo, LocalGood is more than just a sales platform; it’s a movement. “I conceived this as a way to address the challenges artists face, and those challenges are only getting harder,” she said. “But we’ve shown that with the right support and a shared commitment, we can make a difference. And we’re just getting started.”
As LocalGood celebrates its fourth anniversary, it stands as a testament to what can be achieved when passion meets purpose. For Pittsburgh’s artists, it’s not just a platform; it’s a lifeline—and a promise of what’s possible.
Artwork by Ally Bartoszewicz, “Good Morning Pittsburgh”.