The Irma Freeman Center for Imagination (IFCI) presents the exhibition Pittsburgh’s Avant-Garde featuring over 50 artists in tandem with the upcoming release of the book Pittsburgh Avant-Garde: 60 Years Inside the Underground Art Scene compiled and edited by Sheila Ali. The exhibition opens December 6th, 2024 and runs through March 7th, 2025. The opening reception will take place Friday, December 6th 6–9 pm with classical music duo Erin Snyder and Doug Lischner playing at 7:30 pm. There will be an artist reception on February 7th, 2025. Artists Mike Bonello and Sam Pace and their band will perform at 8:30 pm. The closing reception will take place March 7th, 6–9 pm. Dennis Childers and his band Standing Wave will perform at 8:30 pm. Gallery hours will be Tuesdays 3-5 pm, Saturdays 2-5 pm and Sundays 4-6 pm. Other special events include a Holiday Workshop with the paper lady Katy DeMent, Making Miniatures with Ryder Henry, and Be My Valentine Workshop. Keep posted on our website for details.
We will have an Artist Talk and Tour December 7th 2 - 5 pm. There will be a Panel Discussion on the topic of the Pittsburgh Avant-Garde Underground Art Scene in February TBA with Vicky Clark, Sheila Ali, Alice Winn, Christina Springer, Scott Turri, Tim Kaulen, and Ed Um Bucholtz on the panel.
There will be a Pop Up Dance Party/ Pay What You Please for the book release with local legend ATS, to be announced! Avant-garde fashion will be encouraged! Join us for party activities, pick up a book and meet the artists for a book signing! There will be a prize for best avant-garde dressed and more!
The work featured includes both well-known and lesser known artists. Pittsburgh Avant-Garde, the book and exhibition, features all media that explore a variety of subjects, themes and processes. A selection of the artists in the book will be in the exhibition including such notables as Robert Qualters, Thad Mosley, Doug Cooper, Emory Biko, Heather Mull, Tim Kaulen, Christina Bethea, Christine Springer, Bob Ziller, Samir Elsabee, Laura Jean McLaughlin, James Simon, and many more. Attached are three images. From Pittsburgh’s Avant-Garde, the book 1) Thad Mosely in His Studio, 2023. Photo credit: Sheila Ali. From Pittsburgh’s Avant-Garde, the exhibition: 2) Cheryl Capezutti, Bipedal, Heroic, 2021. Residential dryer lint, approx. 7 feet tall. 3) Tom Sarver. Puppet Master, 2021. Acrylic on canvas, 30 x 30 inches.
All First Friday receptions will be free and open to the people, to be held at the IFCI, 5006 Penn Avenue, in conjunction with Penn Avenue’s monthly art crawl, Unblurred First Friday.
For more information on events during this exhibition, including additional gallery tours, workshops, events, and field trips, please visit the following: our website http://www.irmafreeman.org, Instagram: @ifcenter / Facebook: The Irma Freeman Center for Imagination /or inquire through email: info@irmafreeman.org / phone: 412-924-0634.
