by Emma Riva / Image by Fatine-Violette Sabiri
Is it just me, or is the summer art scene a little less popping than usual? Maybe I’m just losing my edge. But, I’m still here with a news briefing for you with some events and tips.
New show at Brew House this Thursday July 18 6PM-8PM, And Also Wide focused on mothering. Also, a belated congratulations to all of the new residents at Brew House: Allison Lemon, Karen Lue, Shyann Maragh, Mathias Rushin, Lisa Toboz, Ajunie Virk, and London Williams.
I got the chance to see Micah Schippa-Wildfong’s all the fish in the night become birds at Romance (5429 Howe Street) on the evening before it closed, which was a reminder that even a last-minute viewing of a show is worthwhile. I was totally entranced by this fog machine that curator Margaret Kross humored me by turning on and off a few times.
However, if you missedthat show, Kross has another one coming up this very Friday (fast de-install turnaround! Go Margaret!): Fatine-Violette Sabiri’s Le necessaire. Love this poster, too.
A new gallery space is opening up on the 27th, in the Baumhaus apartment complex (5522 Baum Blvd), with its first iteration featuring Tim Engelhardt. If, like me, you could probably never afford to live there, at least you can see art!
On the subject of new galleries, I can’t say much more about this since it’s an inside scoop, but there’s another new gallery from a major city heading to Pittsburgh at the end of this summer…Keep your eyes peeled.
Also on July 27, art advisor Brian Lang is hosting the first of three events with Pittsburgh collectors, titled Living Objects: Passionate Perspectives in Collecting. The first is at Contemporary Craft featuring Yvonne Cook, Rachel Rearick, and Brian and Susan Sesack. Upcoming programs in this series include studio visits with regional artists Tadao Arimoto, Dan Brockett, and Thaddeus Mosley.Free tickets via Eventbrite, but they sell out fast.
And one more thing on the 27—busy day, Dark Mode by John Burt Sanders at Zynka Gallery, 5PM-8PM. I’m really looking forward to this, partly because I always have my phone and computer on dark mode.
Let’s Get Free: the Women and Trans Prisoner Defense Committee has a call for art due September 1—their fundraiser show at Concept Art Gallery always has some great work and supports a great cause. Some more information on that, for those interested. Poets also welcome!
Tomayko Foundation also has a call for art ending July 21, so get in there. Will be juried by someone from outside of the foundation, curator and scholar Michaela Blanc. Slideroom link
But director Nina Friedman has also group show at Tomayko opening on August 1. Nina is a great arts advocate and works very hard, so come out and support her and the featured artists.
And finally…something from the underground to mix it up. I’ve attended a few of these salon-style parties that have mostly been at people’s homes, but the group of friends that organize it are bringing it to the Ohringer in Braddock. The concept is two people present on a topic of their choice and the guests discuss it—like in college, but more fun, with drinks and a spirit of togetherness and joviality.
Organizer Taylor Smith said: “As opposed to a beauty salon, an art salon intends “either to please or to educate,” as the Roman poet Horace said of poetry. Its roots date to 17th and 18th century France, where philosophers, artists, and free thinkers gathered to share music, artwork, and ideas. There are multiple Salons throughout Pittsburgh, and this is an off-shoot—or in some way a continuation—of the one that I helped coordinate in Wilkinsburg (which people should check out if they’re interested). I see the Salon as being an extension of a town hall meeting, only one that is more intimate, direct, and interactive. My vision would be to see a Salon in every borough, perhaps communicating with each other, sharing ideas, and providing support for the local communities.”
Send hyper-local gossip, hot takes,
& show listings to petrichorpgh@gmail.com
PETRICHOR 
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