Mr. Smalls Presents
Beyond the Pale: Paintings by Karl Mullen Outside the Limits
Opening Reception will be held on Friday, March 13th in the Café
Original works displayed in Mr. Smalls Cafè throughout the month of March
Friday, March 13, 2026
Doors: 6:00 pm / Show: 6:00 pm
Mr. Smalls Cafe
Opening Reception will be held on Friday, March 13th in the Cafè
6pm - 8pm
Live Acoustic Music by Karl Mullen at 7pm
Free - All Ages
Dublin-born painter and musician Karl Mullen is sharing his artwork with the world.
An exploration of chance encounters in daily life, his luminous paintings are on view at the same time in a variety of non-traditional art spaces:
A beloved apartment in Budapest, Hungary
Steeple City Social ~ A coffee shop in North Adams, Massachusetts
Littlefield ~ A performance venue in Brooklyn, New York
A private home in Kilkenny, Ireland
Yard Dog Galley, an outsider art gallery, Austin TX.
A ceramic studio in Cambrils, Spain.
A Cafe in a Performance venue, Mr Smalls Theatre, Pittsburgh
A radio DJ 's apt in Frankfurt Germany
and a recording studio in Williamstown MA.
Conceived as one exhibition, the far-flung images come together on social media as people on different continents discover them in everyday life, take photos, and share them by tagging @MullenBeyondThePale.
Karl Mullen’s latest body of work was created using materials elemental to his own daily routine: coffee grounds, Kerry Gold butter foil, ash from the fireplace, Barry's Tea, leaves he picks up on various travels, red wine, and fountain pen ink.
In this project, he is exploring the idea of third spaces apart from home and work where people build community, identity, and an essential sense of belonging. Karl is interested in chance, everyday encounters — beyond the pale — that have the potential to create a whisper, start an interesting conversation, and bring people together.
The show’s title derives from the Latin word palus, meaning a stake or fence, and refers historically to areas outside a controlled boundary. The area around Dublin during the Middle Ages was commonly known as The Pale and lands beyond it were considered by the English authorities to be uncivilized or lawless.
6pm - 8pm
Live Acoustic Music by Karl Mullen at 7pm
Free - All Ages
Dublin-born painter and musician Karl Mullen is sharing his artwork with the world.
An exploration of chance encounters in daily life, his luminous paintings are on view at the same time in a variety of non-traditional art spaces:
A beloved apartment in Budapest, Hungary
Steeple City Social ~ A coffee shop in North Adams, Massachusetts
Littlefield ~ A performance venue in Brooklyn, New York
A private home in Kilkenny, Ireland
Yard Dog Galley, an outsider art gallery, Austin TX.
A ceramic studio in Cambrils, Spain.
A Cafe in a Performance venue, Mr Smalls Theatre, Pittsburgh
A radio DJ 's apt in Frankfurt Germany
and a recording studio in Williamstown MA.
Conceived as one exhibition, the far-flung images come together on social media as people on different continents discover them in everyday life, take photos, and share them by tagging @MullenBeyondThePale.
Karl Mullen’s latest body of work was created using materials elemental to his own daily routine: coffee grounds, Kerry Gold butter foil, ash from the fireplace, Barry's Tea, leaves he picks up on various travels, red wine, and fountain pen ink.
In this project, he is exploring the idea of third spaces apart from home and work where people build community, identity, and an essential sense of belonging. Karl is interested in chance, everyday encounters — beyond the pale — that have the potential to create a whisper, start an interesting conversation, and bring people together.
The show’s title derives from the Latin word palus, meaning a stake or fence, and refers historically to areas outside a controlled boundary. The area around Dublin during the Middle Ages was commonly known as The Pale and lands beyond it were considered by the English authorities to be uncivilized or lawless.
VENUE INFORMATION:
Mr. Smalls Cafe
400 Lincoln Ave. Millvale, PA, 15209ATTRACTIONS:
Beyond the Pale: Paintings by Karl Mullen Outside the Limits
Directions
Parking
Street parking is available along Lincoln Ave and on the surrounding streets. Valet parking will be available for select shows in the future. Check back for more info.