The best art to be found in the ‘Burgh

By Michael Boyles

In 1910, the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh held its first exhibition at Pittsburgh’s… In 1910, the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh held its first exhibition at Pittsburgh’s Grand Opera House, while the Carnegie International, another art show, was held at the Carnegie Museum of Art. One year later, the Carnegie invited the AAP to hold its show at the museum, and there it stayed for more than 90 years.

This year, however, the annual exhibition had to be moved to another location for the second year in a row – last year it was held at the Andy Warhol Museum – while the Carnegie Museum of Art undergoes renovations.

For the 93rd Annual Exhibition, Pitt invited the AAP to house its show in the University Art Gallery at the Frick Fine Arts Building. The exhibition highlights local talent, featuring works by artists from the city and the surrounding area.

Laura Hoptman, curator of contemporary art at the Carnegie Museum, and Elizabeth Thomas, the assistant curator, were the jurors for the exhibition.

The show includes paintings in oil, watercolor and acrylic, sculptures made of wood and steel, pottery, charcoal drawings and even some works made of fabric. Many of the works are also for sale, if you happen to find a piece of art that you would like to add to your collection.

But even if you don’t bring your pocketbook, the exhibition is a hidden treasure that deserves a visit. It’s large enough to show a broad variety of works, while being small enough for a quick stopover to add some art to your afternoon.