When the energy and buzz builds around neighborhoods making a comeback, the word spreads to "urban-hip" people who flock to the "in" clubs, cafes and happening spots and start to make a mark on their own.

	Pam Panchak, Post-Gazette East End artist Jordan Monahan with his larger-than-life portraits painted on the walls of the dressing room in Sneaker Villa in East Liberty. Click photo for larger image.

Such people include Jordan Monahan, 20. The young Pittsburgh artist has done murals in the corridor and is a regular at the neighborhood gathering spot, the Quiet Storm, as well as another local hot spot, the Shadow Lounge.

"It's definitely the energy that drew me here," he said. "I grew up on Pittsburgh's South Side, and I have always been intrigued by the energy in the East End.

It's the people, you know?

There seems to be a booming arts scene here and a lot of diversity happening right now, which is really cool."

Monahan hopes that some of his own ambitions can be satisfied by what is available in the corridor.

"I know I plan to paint as long as it pays the bills, but I'd like to start a record label in the future. I network with people here and read up on anything I can. That's my real passion -- music -- because it's the universal language," he added.

Monahan believes that one priority for the neighborhood will be focusing on its youth.

"I just think that we can continue the growing energy that way. Let's get them off PlayStations and get them into poetry and onto the walls by paintings," he said.