When it comes to the art world, you’re out of the loop.
You’re no artist, so what business do you have being in a gallery? You wouldn’t know what to wear. There’s no way you’d know what to say. And you can forget about interpreting what the artist is trying to express or the emotion they’re attempting to evoke.
Well, the thing about art is that you don’t have to know a darn thing in order to walk through the gallery doors. There’s not an examine upon entry. All you really need to know is how to get there. So step out of your comfort zone already. Starting with these 12 PGH art galleries you should definitely visit, even if you’re clueless when it comes to art.
Revision Space
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Located in Lawrenceville, this contemporary art gallery showcases works from around the world and our own backyard. At any given time, the sleek storefront and innovative gallery space houses solo and group exhibitions from emerging and established contemporary artists. It’s a winning and welcoming combination that attracts, and delights, collectors and the casual passerby.
Most Wanted Fine Art
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As the name suggests, this Garfield gallery houses and displays art. But this isn’t a sterile place where works are consumed in silence. In fact, Most Wanted Fine Art couldn’t be more different than that description. Instead, this space – along the Penn Ave Arts Corridor – is a gallery, studio, and performance space that believes in build community through art. As a result, there’s always something happening at MWFA. From art exhibits to music, poetry, and even community events, this spot shatters preconceived notions of fine art should be.
Mine Factory
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Starting in1920’s this huge building at 201 North Braddock Avenue housed the Mine Safety Appliances company. Now, fast forwarding to the present day, a portion of this building is home to a contemporary art space. The aptly named Mine Factory is a gallery and showroom that also houses independent artists and design studios. The history of the building and the manufacturing roots of the region are on full display in this industrial space, making it an ideal spot to showcase large-scale works including sculptures and installations.
Boxheart Gallery
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Serving as an artist-run, commercial gallery BoxHeart is the creation of Nicole Capozzi and Joshua Hogan. This Pittsburgh-born husband and wife team have long been hard at work curating and coordinating hundreds of exhibitions that illustrate originality and relevant issues in contemporary art. Inside this Bloomfield gallery guests will be immersed in a creative atmosphere, complete with a diverse and eclectic mix of artwork.
Miller Gallery
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In Oakland, on the campus of Carnegie Mellon, is where you’ll find Miller Gallery – the University’s contemporary art gallery. Since opening in 2000, the gallery has presented some 93 exhibitions and 205 events through the effort of more than 2536 artists and cultural producers. Free and open to the public, Miller Gallery works to expand the notions of art and culture through exhibits, publications and engaged conversations about creativity, innovation, and social issues.
Spaces Corners
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This crisp and clean creative space makes taking a trip over to Troy Hill a necessity. Described as an artist-run photobook gallery and project space, Space Corners is that and more. Ultimately, it’s a place to experience and understand the art of the photobook and important trends in contemporary photography. Whether you’re browsing or building your personal library, Space Corners is a place to get schooled in and inspired by an art exhibit you can own and return to time and time again, the photobook.
Space Gallery
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Offering five to six exhibits each year, Space Gallery has transformed what was an adult video hawking porn shop into a platform for new, multi-discipline artwork and hub for emerging artists. It’s one piece of the revitalization puzzle that has transformed the Cultural District from downtrodden to destination, displaying new works to the broadest possible audience.
Wood Street Galleries
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Located above the T-Station at Wood Street and Sixth Avenue, Wood Street Galleries showcases solo and thematic group shows presented by new media artists from around the world. Like the aforementioned Space Gallery, Wood Street is operated by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust as part of extensive programme of high-quality cultural events and exhibitions.
Future Tenant
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With a goal of creating Pittsburgh’s destination for raw, innovative artistic experiences from a variety of disciplines, including visual, literary and performing arts, Future Tenant was founded in 2002. In the years since, this creative laboratory has encouraged artists and audiences to explore the limits of the creative expression, presentation, and interpretation of various art forms. The fact that this gallery isn’t tied to any one venue adds an element intrigue and opportunity to this non-traditional artistic experience.
Silver Eye Center for Photography
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This South Side Center is all about photography. That fact, and their commitment to exhibiting and promoting photo-based multimedia as an art form, makes Silver Eye unique to Pittsburgh and the region. Through a combination of world-class exhibitions, lectures, educational programs, and events this gallery showcases and celebrates “a medium that brings to light the telling details and larger stories that influence and inform an understanding of ourselves and the world”.
UnSmoke Systems
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An art gallery and events venue, inside a repurposed Catholic school building, in Braddock. It’s a place for artists and writers where classrooms have been converted into artist studios and the auditorium has been transformed into a gallery. A project of the non-profit Braddock Redux, the space is part of a larger community effort to revitalize Braddock. The space is open for flexible programming that’s not limited to the visual arts. From community events and performances to concerts and readings, Unsmoke, and its artist-residents, continue to advance the area’s experimental art scene.
Pittsburgh Center for the Arts
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From education and exhibitions to advocacy and operating a community arts campus, Pittsburgh Center for the Arts is foremost visual arts organization in the region. Focusing on the presentation of contemporary art, from various disciplines, all with local ties, the PCFA has created a place where the community create, see, support and learn about the visual arts.
