Artists Janese Hexon and Connie Cantor at the Christine Frechard Gallery in Squirrel Hill

You have until April 8, 2010, to see the work of talented artists Janese Hexon and Connie Cantor at the Christine Frechard Gallery in Squirrel Hill.

Support The Open Thread Regional Review

The Open Thread Regional Review is publishing your peers' best art and writing. Don't believe us? Just visit the online preview of our inaugural edition. If it's by an emerging artist or writer from Ohio, Pennsylvania, or West Virginia, we're interested. If it's great work, we're publishing it.

Now, we're gearing up to release our second volume: bigger, better, and with your help, more affordable. Isn't the cover gorgeous? The image comes from the work of the book's Featured Artist, Elin Lennox of Pittsburgh, with design by our Featured Designer, Seth Clark of Pittsburgh.

If you'd like to see this kind of work continue to be published and circulated, you can make it happen right now. Just buy one $10 tile, and you can fund the printing costs for one of our first 50 pages! That artist or writer will know exactly who to thank - you! - for their page in the anthology. Best of all, your name will appear in the book to thank you for your role. (Please be sure we have your email address to confirm how you will be credited.)

Open Thread is an arts service organization that establishes and develops frameworks for artistic discovery in Pittsburgh and the surrounding tri-state area, with an emphasis on the emerging artists, writers, and performers who live and work here. To learn more about how our programs and publications might serve you, visit www.openthread.org today!

The publication and distribution of the Open Thread Regional Review, Vol. 2, is supported in part by a Seed Award from The Sprout Fund.

Donation link info here: http://www.peerdreams.com/pa0

Thanks for your support,

The Open Thread Team

otinfo@openthread.org

MCG Youth & Arts Summer Studios Hands-On Preview, Pittsburgh PA

MCG Youth & Arts Summer Studios Hands-On Preview
Saturday, April 24, 2010 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Join us for this sneak peek of MCG’s all new summer program and save an extra $21 off the early registration fee!

From June through August, immerse your kids in art-making that inspires creative discovery. Youth ages 10-13 can engage in our full-day camps, exploring themes like self-expression, eco-art, and the Do-It-Yourself craft movement. Teens will enjoy creative release through our in-depth, afternoon Art "Bootcamps" in ceramics, fashion, and music video production. Each session lasts two weeks; sign up for one, or all three!

For more information about Summer Studios 2010, see the attached flyer and visit our website, http://www.manchesterguild.org/Youth/summer_programs.htm

To register for Summer Studios Hands-On Preview, contact Anne Kindseth, Student Services Specialist, at akindseth@mcg-btc.org or 412-322-1773 Ext. 301.

Location of event:

Manchester Craftsmen's Guild

1815 Metropolitan Street

Pittsburgh, PA 15233

Neigborhood: North Side

Cost: Free!

Geek Art Green Innovators Festival GA/GI Friday April 2, 2010

There's a lot news over at the GA/GI blog here.

Update: The schedule is here.

GAGI (pronounced GAH-gee) Geek Art and Green Innovators-- The first art + technology festival in the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. GA/GI was created as a platform to showcase current, unique and innovative projects, products and art created by the green and technoloy industries. Businesses and galleries along the nationally acclaimed Penn Avenue Arts District, will serve as hosts for the festival's many exhibitions and demos with kick-off activites leading up to the main event on Friday, April 2 during the "Unblurred" Art Crawl.

Events:
Special Geek Art/Green Innovators Presentations! GA/GI Day 10 am-noon (for Kids) and GA/GI Night! 5 pm-11 pm for everyone!

Table of Elements Benefit Reception at Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild

Table of Elements Benefit Reception at Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild
Friday, March 19 2010 from 5:30-8:30 p.m

Share in the vision: join us to celebrate and support the ways that art transforms our everyday lives. Indulge in over 170 pieces of ceramics, prints, and photos by more than 80 renowned artists, brought together to raise support for arts education at Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild! The benefit reception features an exclusive opportunity to view and purchase from the grand showcase where the exhibition is expanded into MCG’s dining hall. Tickets* are $25 in advance, or $30 on the day of the event.

Table of Elements 2010 Exhibition at Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild
(on view through April 8, 2010)
Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild is proud to present Table of Elements 2010, which brings together all of the components on which MCG’s model is founded into one commemorative occasion that reflects the contributions of artists in making ordinary experiences extraordinary.

On display will be ceramics by widely collected artists like Ed Eberle, Robert Briscoe, Suze Lindsay and Nick Joerling. The showcase will also include photographs, prints, and paintings—some of which have been provided through collections of Artists Image Resource and painter Glen Brunken.

61 of the contributing artists (~55%) are from the Pittsburgh area, which includes 6 of whom are from the western PA region (e.g. Indiana, West Virginia, Edinboro).

A few specific names: Ed Eberle, Valda Cox, Sue Abramson, Richard Wukich, Laura Jean McLaughlin, Glen Brunken, John Ritter, Mary Tremonte and more!

Direct link on our website:
http://manchesterguild.org/Va/Calendar.htm#ToE2010

For more information or to make reservations, visit www.manchesterguild.org
or call Brittany Colatrella, Communications Coordinator, at 412-322-1773 Ext. 378.

*Event ticket and exhibition art sales benefit MCG Youth & Arts programs. Works on view in MCG’s gallery will be available for purchase beginning February 24 through April 8 (or until sold). The expanded showcase will remain up for a public art sale on Saturday, March 20 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild Youth & Arts:
1815 Metropolitan Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15233
Open Mon-Fri. From 9 a.m.--5 p.m. and during special events.
412-322-1773 Ext. 378
www.manchesterguild.org

DATA: The 2010 Design, Art & Technology Awards and Regional Art Exhibition Pittsburgh PA

DATA: The 2010 Design, Art & Technology Awards
and Regional Art Exhibition

The Pittsburgh Technology Council's signature Art + Technology event, formerly known as the Annual Art + Technology Exhibition, is now Pittsburgh's Annual Design, Art and Technology Awards. Featuring new awards, a new format and new creative showcases, this year's event promises to be better than ever! Download Artist Entry Form Here

"The Business of Creativity"

with MEDRAD CEO, John Friel
and Internationally-Acclaimed Pittsburgh Artist, Burton Morris

Thursday, May 6, 2009

The Pittsburgh Technology Council presents the 2010 Annual Design, Art & Technology Awards. This one-of-a-kind event honors regional excellence in creativity and innovation -- and will assemble, for the first time ever, a consortium of innovative technology business leaders and artists who are transcending traditional boundaries.

Join us for an evening of creativity, technology mindshare, and ground-breaking ideas, featuring MEDRAD CEO, John Friel, and a talk by internationally-acclaimed artist and Pittsburgh resident, Burton Morris. Let’s celebrate the distinction of our region’s designers, artists and technologists -- and learn how creativity and business are working together to grow our region.

D.A.T.A. VIP RECEPTION 5-6pm
Pre-event VIP cocktail reception and exhibition preview

This reception will include remarks from MEDRAD CEO, John Friel, and Burton Morris -- as well as hors d’oeuvres, artist-business networking and an exclusive exhibition preview. This intimate event is a great opportunity to connect one-on-one with the region's most innovative artists and business leaders, and to show your support for the value of cultivated creativity and innovation in Pittsburgh. Tickets for the VIP reception include admission to the main event.
TICKETS BY RESERVATION ONLY:
INDIVIDUAL $100.00
GROUP OF 5: $450.00
NOTE: Register before April 1, 2010 to SAVE 10%
Click here to register.

D.A.T.A. AWARDS CEREMONY AND MAIN EVENT 6-8pm
The only event that honors our region’s leading-edge intersections of tech and creativity

The 2010 Design, Art & Technology Awards and Exhibition (DATA) is the region’s signature art and technology event. The evening will feature: a keynote address by Burton Morris and his business partner, Alan Smith; an exhibition featuring the region’s most innovative artwork; creative tech showcases; and awards for the region’s best and brightest creative minds. Join us as we honor the region’s foremost accomplishments at the intersection of creativity and business.
GENERAL ADMISSION:
 $25.00
STUDENT: $15.00
Click here to reserve your tickets now.

Three Rivers Arts Festival Makes Move to Return to Pittsburgh Artist Roots!

Wow, a big change for the Three Rivers Arts Festival:

...One way that we are returning to our roots in the Juried Exhibition is by limiting submissions to artists living in the Greater Pittsburgh region, which we’ve defined as roughly within 100 miles of Pittsburgh.

from the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust:

I wanted to make sure that you (and hopefully, by extension, the readers of your Pittsburgh arts blog) are aware of two new opportunities for artists at the 2010 Three Rivers Arts Festival. I think it will be interesting to note, particularly for the New Juried Exhibition, that we are hoping to branch well beyond the bounds of the “traditional” Juried Show that was part of the Festival in years past. In that show, submissions were accepted in only a few categories of media – painting, sculpture, photography, film, and a few others. In our reimagined exhibition, we’re getting rid of strict categories to encourage a diversity of works and viewpoints and encourage interesting collaborations.

That said, one way that we are returning to our roots in the Juried Exhibition is by limiting submissions to artists living in the Greater Pittsburgh region, which we’ve defined as roughly within 100 miles of Pittsburgh. You can find an exact listing of eligible counties in the prospectus and application.

New Juried Visual Art Exhibition

Back by popular demand, this juried exhibition will showcase the Pittsburgh region's vibrant creative community. The exhibition will take place at an indoor Cultural District gallery during the 2010 Three Rivers Arts Festival, June 4-13, in downtown Pittsburgh.

Submissions are welcome from across the spectrum of visual arts. Works will be juried by a panel of Pittsburgh-based artists and curators.

Artists who meet residence requirements may enter up to three qualifying individual pieces for jury. The goal of the New Juried Arts Exhibition is to showcase the best art produced in the Pittsburgh region. Decisions will be based solely on aesthetic quality as determined by the jury panel in an anonymous jury process.

More information: http://www.artsfestival.net/visualart/juried-visual-art-2010.html
Download a prospectus and application: http://www.artsfestival.net/TRAF_Juried_Art_Fill_In_Application.pdf

Artist questions about the New Juried Visual Art Exhibition (i.e. does my work qualify?) should be directed to Sonja Sweterlitsch at 412-471-3191 or Sweterlitsch@pgharts.org.

2010 Poster Contest

Three Rivers Arts Festival and City Paper invite you to submit your best artwork for the 2010 Three Rivers Arts Festival poster. The winning artwork will creatively represent Three Rivers Arts Festival's mission to connect the community to the arts.

The grand prize winning design will be used to help promote the 2010 Three Rivers Arts Festival throughout the Pittsburgh region. Four winning designs will be produced as posters – and there are cash awards as well!

More information and guidelines: http://www.artsfestival.net/visualart/2010-poster-contest.html

Entry form: http://www.artsfestival.net/visualart/2010-poster-entry.html

Table of Elements 2010 Benefit Reception @ Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild

Table of Elements 2010 Benefit Reception
Friday, March 19, 2010 from 5:30-8:30 pm

Location:
Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild
1815 Metropolitan St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15233

Neighborhood: North Side

Primary e-mail contact: bcolatrella(AT)mcg-btc.org

Description:
Share in the vision: join us to celebrate and support the ways that
art transforms our everyday lives. Indulge in over 100 pieces of
ceramics, prints, and photos by more than 80 renowned artists, brought
together to benefit arts education at Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild!

The benefit reception features an exclusive opportunity to view and
purchase from the expanded exhibition. Tickets are $25 in advance, or
$30 at the door.

For more information or to make reservations, visit
www.manchesterguild.org or call Brittany Colatrella, Communications
Coordinator, at 412-322-1773 Ext. 378.

Date: Friday, March 19, 2010
Time: 5:30-8:30 pm

New York Artist turns to Pittsburgh in time of Recession

February 12, 2010

Contact:
Isabelle Garbani
540 79th St
Brooklyn NY 11209
(718) 238 6828
igarbani@netscape.net
www.IsabelleGarbani.com



New York Artist turns to Pittsburgh in time of Recession


Emerging New York Artist Isabelle Garbani has turned to Pittsburgh during the recession. While the rest of the country is struggling, post-industrial Pittsburgh is faring better: with lower unemployment, stable housing prices and a diversified industry, making it possible for artists to find an audience willing to collect art.

"Unemployment is 5.5 percent, far below the national average. While housing prices sank nearly everywhere in the last year, they rose here. Wages are also up. Foreclosures are comparatively uncommon," according to a January 7, 2009 New York Times article,.

"New York City has been hit really hard by the crisis, and a lot of collectors are hesitating right now. As an emerging Artist, I must go where the economy can sustain art and culture" says Ms. Garbani, who has started showing at BoxHeart Gallery in Pittsburgh, and is preparing for a solo show there in 2011.

Isabelle Garbani is a Brooklyn based artist who received her MFA from the New York Academy of Art in 2004. She has exhibited her work throughout the New York metropolitan area and the Northeast. Her work focuses on contemporary issues and culture and can be seen at www.IsabelleGarbani.com

# # #

If you'd like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Isabelle Garbani, please call 718-238-6818 or e-mail Isabelle at igarbani@netscape.net

BoxHeart Gallery is located at 4523 Liberty Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15224
www.boxheart.org

Artist Masha Vereshchenko

Check out the etsy store for Masha Vereshchenko, she just posted work for sale!