“Totem and Taboo,” “Efflorescence: The Sea After Time,” “Worlds Within Worlds” Through August… “Totem and Taboo,” “Efflorescence: The Sea After Time,” “Worlds Within Worlds” Through August 19 The Pittsburgh Center for the Arts 6300 Fifth Avenue (412) 361-0873 www.pittsburgharts.org

This summer, the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts presents a collaboration of glass exhibits to run through August 19: “Totem ‘ Taboo,” “Efflorescence: The Sea After Time” and “Worlds Within Worlds.” The three unique exhibits utilize startling colors and innovative techniques in their meditations on the natural world. These exhibits celebrate glass with a variety of glass-making techniques, from the hot and cold glass processes to the kiln-cast process.

“Worlds Within Worlds” features three artists: Kaley Finegan, Christopher Clarke and Brian Frus, who together explore the minute aspects of nature and their surroundings. The three artists will present an artist talk on June 28 from 6-8 p.m. at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts.

Other artists featured in the exhibits include Lindsay O’Leary and University of Pittsburgh alum Judi Charlson.

Charlson’s exhibit, “Totem ‘ Taboo,” features a 4 X 6 screen holding 98 colorful glass tiles of figurative sculpture which have been created using the kiln-cast negative relief process. Each intricately designed glass panel depicts different scenes of life, some romantic and some more realistic.

According to Charlson, “The scenes explore the history of human existence