See surrealistic folklore and a Sexy Hot Dog in galleries this month

Each month NEXTpittsburgh features new openings and special art events in our series, NEXT in the Gallery. Keep us posted on what’s new in your neighborhood and email lemccullough@mac.com.

Pittsburgh artists hit the streets in August with a profusion of art festivals, art walks and art crawls that build bridges, dig the roots of DAP, sample Parisian cafés and reveal what the world may look like when the color fades.

“INTERSCAPES: A Solo Exhibition by Tomás Ives” on view Aug. 8-Sept. 12, opening reception Aug. 8, 6-8 p.m.

Chilean multidisciplinary artist Tomás Ives (illustration, motion graphics, brand design, murals, printmaking) challenged himself to use a color palette limited to black, red, pink and white. The result is an exhibit that delves deeply into surrealistic visions of folklore, signs and symbols expressed in zoomorphic figures from pre-Columbian iconography (pictured above).

“The unknown” by Austin Palmisano, “Deer Walks” by Matt Flores (Christine Fréchard Gallery). Photos by artists.

“Austin Palmisano & Matt Flores” on view Aug. 8-31, opening reception Aug. 8, 4-7 p.m.

For the gallery’s final exhibit in its Penn Avenue space, owner Christine Fréchard presents a pair of painters — Austin Palmisano, whose surrealism-tinged work takes inspiration from nature and the transitory state of life and dreamlike movement of time; and Matt Flores, whose Impressionistic watercolor and gouache style seeks, he says, “to answer the question of ‘What does Freedom look like?’”

“Piri the Dreamer and Flying Coyote in the Garden (in Good Company) – #69, 65, 71” by Josias Figueirido (ZYNKA Gallery). Photos courtesy of ZYNKA Gallery.

“Josias Figueirido: Light of a Dream” on view Aug. 15-Oct. 18, opening reception Aug. 15, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Spanish-born Josias Figueirido is assistant professor of art of Seton Hill University. His latest show at ZYNKA Gallery continues to explore a fictional world inhabited by whimsical characters Piri the Dreamer and Flying Coyote, who embody themes of friendship, community and belonging.

“stuck in gray(113)” by Lisa Bergant Koi (mossArchitects). Photo by artist.

“Lisa Bergant Koi: Rest stop” on view Aug. 7-Aug. 28, opening reception Aug. 7, 6-10 p.m.

In “Rest stop” Lisa Bergant Koi debuts paintings from both her “stuck in gray” and “changing direction” series. “I strive to create mysterious paintings,” she says, “whether minute or large in scale, that evoke a sense of wonder in the viewer as an entry point to deeper reflection.” The paintings in “Rest stop”, she adds, “deliberately withhold visual information, drawing attention to the assumptions we bring to what remains.”

From left: “Let This Day Twist and Twirl” by Joshua Hogan, “Elements Co” by Jeffrey Smith,” “It Could Go Either Way” by Kristen Letts Kovak (JL Shorr Gallery). Photos by artists.

“With Bated Breath: Joshua Hogan, Kristen Letts Kovak, Jeffrey Smith” on view Aug. 8-Sept. 19, art social Aug. 22, 5-8 p.m.

“With Bated Breath” aligns an artistic trio whose aesthetic approaches always entertain the possibility of surprise. Joshua Hogan has said his paintings are an allegory for interactions and relationships he experiences, with fantastical visual scenarios drifting and colliding like fragments culled from a dream. In describing Kristen Letts Kovak’s work, gallery owner Mark Rengers notes “the paintings do not ask to be solved, they ask to be experienced, to be entered, briefly, without the need to fix them in place.” Master jeweler Jeffrey Smith uses a mélange of iced metals, natural stones and glass to create intricate, sculptural designs sewn into found leather and suede skins.

From top left clockwise: “Snow Moon Over the Ohio” by Brenda Nachreiner, “Looking for Respair” by Kathie Hollingshead, “Quatrefoil” by Burnsbothends, “Vejer de la Frontera” by Rick Armstrong (Castle Consortia). Photos courtesy of Castle Consortia.

Group shows:

“Resonate” on view Aug. 8-Oct. 2, opening reception Aug. 8, 2-6 p.m.

This eclectic exhibit centered on the prompt of “resonate” spans mixed media, photography, watercolors and pastels screen prints, origami painting, fiber arts, collage, glass mosaics, stained glass, monochrome dark fantasy and poetry with contributions by Melissa Alliston, S. Rick Armstrong, Rich Beckermeyer, Georgene Bemis, Evelyn Brown, burnsbothends, Willie Dawson, Glenda Grant, Jen Haefeli, Kathie Hollingshead, Hugues, William Hunt, Lowell King, Scott A Kowlaski, Madie is Moody, Diane Murray, Brenda Nachreiner, Mo’Ney Pearl, Hannah Pierce, J Rich, Beth Roberts, Elizabeth Roseborough, Jeni Shoemaker, Carolina Tapia Urzua, Sandi Timbus, tw.xxiii, Veronica Varos and David Watterson.

“When the Color Fades” on view Aug. 1-Aug. 22, opening reception Aug. 5, 5-8 p.m.

“When the Color Fades” expands the idea that “color is descriptive; black and white is interpretive,” as noted by photographer Elliott Erwitt (1928-2023), whose 1950s black-and-white photos of Pittsburgh undergoing the throes of Renaissance have been archived in Historic Pittsburgh’s Pittsburgh Photographic Library Collection.

The show features new work by Larry Brandstetter, Mackenzie Buday, Ernesto Camacho Jr., Ashley Coniglio, Neal Henry, Africa Herrera, Joseph John, Amy Johnson, Holly Erinn Karnes, Rachel Lange, Seth Leibowitz, Deb Letterle, Corbin Reinstadtler, Jennifer Renk, Paula Robin, Linda Roos, Jodi Rosenfeld, Eric Schantz, Annabelle Tarr, James Tobin, Debra Tobin, Darcy Tomayko, Deborah Waller.

From left: “Soul Bird Sentinel” by Hilary Shames, “Blues in the key of sea” by Frances Metcalf, “Tea Time” by Leah Shuck (Ketchup City Creative). Photos courtesy of Pittsburgh PrintX.

“Iridescent” on view Aug. 8 from 5-9 p.m., Aug. 9 from 1-5 p.m.

“Pittsburgh PrintX 2026” on view Aug. 20-30, opening reception Aug. 21, 6-8 p.m.

Ketchup City Creative hosts two group shows this month. For “Iridescent,” curator Heather Heitzenrater has gathered a shape-shifting array of paintings and drawings from artists extolling the multi-dimensional intricacies of “shiny, holographic, reflective, rainbowy things” — Danielle Bender, Christie Biber, Domenique Comparetto, Rachel Corn-Hicks, Rebecca Creasy, Sophia Direnna, Brooke Ebeling, Matthew Flores, Emily Gall, Emily Glass, Robin Griffin, Nicole Hicks, Nia Holyfield, Anna Kline, Rossaro Lawson, Francesca Lojacono, Caroline Mann, Makayla McClendon, Jayden Nelson, Mary Kate Noonan, Iva Penner, Colleen Popko, Rokia, Lelaina Scott, Robin Siddoway, Olivia Sidem, Debra Tobin, Chanda Weigel.

“Pittsburgh PrintX 2026” features traditional and experimental printmakers from across the region working in linocut, etching, lithography, screen printing, relief, monoprint and gel prints. Artists currently set to exhibit include Christie Biber, Leia Davliakos, Lynda Kirby, Frances J. Metcalf, Marian Sallade, Hillary Shames, Leah Shuck, Debra Tobin and James Tobin; additional artists are expected as the Call for Artists application can be submitted up to Aug. 17.

From left: “Cape May Splash” by Michele Randall, “Coral Archive” by Christine Holtz, “Archeology of Venice” by Dan Hendrickson (Associated Artists of Pittsburgh). Photos courtesy of Associated Artists of Pittsburgh.

“The Light Divides, and the Story Multiplies” on view Aug. 29-Oct. 30, opening reception Aug. 29, 5-7 p.m.

No need to wait for Sept. 26 to celebrate Annual World Cyanotype Day. Discovered in 1842 by English astronomer Sir John Herschel, the cyanotype printing process produces a blue line on a white background to form a monochrome, blue-colored print. This show features six artists (Dan Hendrickson, Christine Holtz, Andy Julo, Christine Lorenz, Michele Randall, Cathleen Richards) employing the classic cyanotype format to contemporary photographs, digital imagery, painting and textiles.

“SCBWI PA West Presents: Kidlit Art Show 2026” on view Aug. 7-Aug. 30, opening reception Aug. 7, 6-9 p.m.

Ever since the 1480 edition of “Aesop’s Fables” published by French theologian Julien Macho, illustrations have been an essential element of children’s books around the world. This year’s curated show by the Western Pennsylvania chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators displays the imaginative talents of Brooke Brace, Donna Dodgen, Laura Garvin, Julia Melnyk, Joe Mruk, Christine Owens, Kris Sacco, Andrew Schubert, Sue Vincent, Dania Zayn and Amanda Zimmerman.

From left: “Sunburst Upon a Tranquil Silence” by John Buxton, “Nino” by Yelena Lamm received awards at the International ARC Salon Competition in New York City. Photos courtesy of artists.

Art people:

• Pittsburgh artists Yelena Lamm and John Buxton were honored at last month’s International ARC Salon Competition held at Sotheby’s in New York City. The event, “Contemporary Realism: Important 21st Century Works,” was hosted by Art Renewal Center, a New Jersey nonprofit dedicated to realist art made by academic and classical painters of the 18th through early 20th centuries. Lamm and Buxton each had two works selected from over 3,500 entries representing 72 countries.

• Skypomp is Pittsburgh’s latest collaboration collective, an artist-run gallery located at 301 Smithfield St. with the mission of supporting emerging artists and sponsoring exhibitions. Members include Zachary D. Milder (installation), Ron Myers (poetry), Jeremiah Gregory (performance), Kaestin Hsiao (media art), Geoffrey Callahan (painting), Kevin Keaney (mixed media), Anthony Mongelluzzo (drawing).

The current exhibit “Lines” by Milder closes Aug. 16.

Artist talks:

Aug. 6, 12-1 p.m. Christine Fréchard (gallery owner and native of Champagne, France) explores the role of the French café as an oasis of vibrant new ideas and world-changing art movements in “The Influence of Parisian Cafes on Art, Culture, and Literature”. It’s part of the lecture series augmenting the Frick Pittsburgh Museum & Gardens’ “French Moderns” exhibit on view to Oct. 11. (7227 Reynolds St., Point Breeze)

• Aug. 22-23, 1-4 p.m. Flawed Gems: A Visceral Approach to Self-Portraiture through Polaroid and Collage by Lisa Toboz guides participants in creating self-portraiture through Polaroid photography and collage. (Silver Eye Center for Photography, 5228 Penn Ave., Garfield)

• Aug. 28, 6-8 p.m. Sharif Bey offers a free artist’s talk on his current Sharif Bey: Homecoming exhibit on view to Oct. 12 at the Andy Warhol Museum. Register here for complimentary tickets. (117 Sandusky St., North Side)

Check these art happenings, too:

• Aug. 7, 6-10 p.m. Unblurred: First Fridays on Penn Avenue enlivens the 4800–5500 blocks of Penn Avenue in Bloomfield/Garfield/Friendship with art openings, live performances, sidewalk markets, innumerable diverse food and beverage selections. August highlights include a Fire + Ice Cream HOT Jam at Pittsburgh Glass Center (5472 Penn Ave.) and the Chili Cheese Dog group show at VaultArt Studio (5100 Penn Ave.).

• Aug. 7, 6-9:30 p.m. “Greetings: The culture, legacy, and language of the DAP” is an art exhibit and film screening exploring the evolution of the DAP handshake — the unique and now globally ubiquitous handshake gesture created among Black G.I.s during the Vietnam War to express battlefield solidarity. Produced by Pittsburgh’s Passion Project Creative, the exhibit features an original photography series documenting the DAP across generations of the Black community. On view Aug. 7-Nov. 29 at August Wilson African American Cultural Center, 980 Liberty Ave., Downtown.

• Aug. 14, 5-10 p.m. Braddock Art Crawl holds its Second Friday gathering along Braddock Avenue featuring Two29 Gallery, Gallery AFK, Braddock Photo Works, Ohringer Gallery Ink Division, PearlArt Sound and Studio and The Hollander coworking space.

• Aug. 14, 5-9 p.m. On second Fridays May through October, the Carnegie Crawl enlivens East and West Main Street with gallery openings, live music and food highlighting the borough’s growing artmaking community — Double Dog Studios, Firebox Art Studios, 3rd Street Gallery, Pittsburgh Pottery, Eccentricity Designs, Matt Polk Photography and Studio Forget-Me-Not. Main Street, Carnegie

• Aug. 22, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Pittsburgh Center for Arts & Media’s annual yART Sale is a fusion of yard sale/art sale with 40+ local artists selling their seconds or any materials they’ve outgrown. 1047 Shady Ave., Shadyside.

• Aug. 22, 1 p.m.-8 p.m. Fro Gang and Beltzhoover Neighborhood Council present Echoes of Us: The Black Art Experience featuring vendors, food, music and local artists Temujin Bey, JNC Studio and Nonealike425 plus live pottery demonstrations by Sharif Bey. 201 Chalfont St., Beltzhoover

• Aug. 22-23, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The 29th annual Shadyside – The Art Festival on Walnut Street showcases 165+ artists from across the U.S. including Pittsburgh creators Kierra Falbo (painting), Leonard Boyd (photography), Jane Hanmer (fabric), Heather Johnston (printmaking), Lisa Parker (jewelry), Bryan Klinger (wood) and Isa Kollgaard (clay). 5400-5700 Walnut St., Shadyside

• Aug. 28, 5:30-9 p.m. Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s monthly Downtown Gallery Crawl is a free, multi-venue open house spotlighting live music, dance, spoken word and visual arts at 707 Penn Gallery, 820 Liberty Gallery and SPACE Gallery.

• Aug. 29, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. The fourth annual Building Bridges Day promotes diversity, inclusion and community connection with a day of mural painting, art demonstrations, cultural music and dance performances coordinated by painter Ebtehal Badawi and the Pittsburgh Builds Bridges initiative. Roberto Clemente Bridge, Downtown

• Aug. 29, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Carnegie Arts Walk spotlights the borough’s artmakers along with boutiques and bookstores. Main Street, Carnegie

And throughout August, as the newly-opened Arts Landing fills with daily activities, visitors can relish an impressive sequence of outdoor art installations by Thaddeus Mosley, Shikeith, John Peña, Lenka Clayton and Philip Andrew Lewis, Mikael Owunna and Marques Redd, vanessa german, Sharmistha Ray and Darian Johnson. Eighth Street & Penn Avenue, Downtown

Clockwise from left: “Sexy Hot Dog” by Edith Sullivan, “Betty White Eating a Chili Dog at Dad’s Dog & Burger” by Charlie Wallace, “Cats and Dogs Hot Dogs” by Tafara Bundrige (VaultArt Studio). Photos courtesy of VaultArt Studio.