He bought the property that would become Randyland on a credit card for $10,000 in 1995.[13] Using upcycling, Gilson decorates his home with items such as mannequins, plastic dinosaurs and pink flamingos. The fences display murals with neighbors dancing and smiling.[14]
In late 2016, Gilson's partner David Paul Francis "Mac" McDermott was diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer.[15] Upon hearing the news, Randyland fans raised over $20,000 and sent Gilson and McDermott on their first vacation. The couple visited the Grand Canyon and Hollywood.[16] Afterwards, Gilson retired from his restaurant job to spend more time with the ailing McDermott. Following the announcement, Foo Conner joined Randyland as co-director.[11][15][17]
The neighborhood around the museum experienced explosive growth in 2016-2019.[18] Randyland itself reportedly doubled in attendance.[19] The courtyard was overhauled to accommodate the traffic. Under Conner's curation, the facility embraced being a selfie museum as a vibrant backdrop for photos.[20]
McDermott died on January 10, 2019.[19] As Gilson's partner, he was posthumously given the title of co-founder. Journalists noted that McDermott may have downplayed his role when alive but was a backbone of the museum.[21] Later that year, Randyland received the Mayor's Award for Public Art for 2019. Conner left the museum early 2020.[20]
Because it is outdoors, Randyland was one of the only art museums open in Pennsylvania during the COVID-19 pandemic.[18] Gilson came out of retirement. The Courtyard was changed to a socially distanced playground throughout quarantine. Many of the original murals have been painted over.
As of 2022, Randyland is still a free and popular tourist attraction.[22][23]
Exhibits
The Courtyard of Randyland
Outside Celebration Mural
Randyland Welcome Wall
Randyland Mirror Wall
Outdoor Living Room
In popular culture
The documentary The Spirit of Pittsburgh features Randy Gilson's gardening alongside Fred Rogers.[24]
The documentary Pursuing Happiness features Randy Gilson as one of the happiest people in America.[25]
When a blizzard postponed Guster's Pittsburgh concert, they instead recorded a viral music video in the alleyway near Randyland.[26][27]
Randy Gilson succeeded Rick Sebak as the Mardi Gras King of Pittsburgh.[28][29]
A teenager's "Summer Bucket List 2017", which included Randyland as a place to visit, went viral.[30][31]
The popular travel show Rediscovering America presented by Barstool Sports interviewed Randy Gilson at Randyland in their 2022 episode about Pittsburgh.
^"Randyland". Atlas Obscura. September 2, 2013. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
^Blackley, Katie (5 May 2022). "How the Mexican War Streets Got its Name". WESA. Retrieved 22 August 2022. The neighborhood struggled in the 1970s and 80s, dealing with blight and crime. But cultural organizations took notice, and opened places like The Mattress Factory, Randyland and the writer's refugee space City of Asylum.
