{"id":258235,"date":"2026-08-03T12:01:43","date_gmt":"2026-08-03T12:01:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/258235\/"},"modified":"2026-08-03T12:01:43","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T12:01:43","slug":"see-surrealistic-folklore-and-a-sexy-hot-dog-in-galleries-this-month","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/258235\/","title":{"rendered":"See surrealistic folklore and a Sexy Hot Dog in galleries this month"},"content":{"rendered":"

Each month NEXTpittsburgh features new openings and special art events in our series,\u00a0NEXT in the Gallery<\/a>. Keep us posted on what\u2019s new in your neighborhood and email lemccullough@mac.com<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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 caf\u00e9s and reveal what the world may look like when the color fades.<\/p>\n

\u201cINTERSCAPES: A Solo Exhibition by Tom\u00e1s Ives\u201d on view Aug. 8-Sept. 12, opening reception Aug. 8, 6-8 p.m.<\/p>\n

Chilean multidisciplinary artist Tom\u00e1s Ives<\/a> (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<\/a> that delves deeply into surrealistic visions of folklore, signs and symbols expressed in zoomorphic figures from pre-Columbian iconography (pictured above).<\/p>\n

\"\"\u201cThe unknown\u201d by Austin Palmisano, \u201cDeer Walks\u201d by Matt Flores (Christine Fr\u00e9chard Gallery). Photos by artists.<\/p>\n

\u201cAustin Palmisano & Matt Flores\u201d on view Aug. 8-31, opening reception Aug. 8, 4-7 p.m.<\/p>\n

For the gallery\u2019s final exhibit<\/a> in its Penn Avenue space, owner Christine Fr\u00e9chard presents a pair of painters \u2014 Austin Palmisano<\/a>, whose surrealism-tinged work takes inspiration from nature and the transitory state of life and dreamlike movement of time; and Matt Flores<\/a>, whose Impressionistic watercolor and gouache style seeks, he says, \u201cto answer the question of \u2018What does Freedom look like?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"\u201cPiri the Dreamer and Flying Coyote in the Garden (in Good Company) \u2013 #69, 65, 71\u201d by Josias Figueirido (ZYNKA Gallery). Photos courtesy of ZYNKA Gallery.<\/p>\n

\u201cJosias Figueirido:\u00a0Light of a Dream\u201d on view Aug. 15-Oct. 18, opening reception Aug. 15, 5:30-7:30 p.m.<\/p>\n

Spanish-born Josias Figueirido is assistant professor of art of Seton Hill University. His latest show<\/a> at\u00a0ZYNKA 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"\u201cstuck in gray(113)\u201d by Lisa Bergant Koi (mossArchitects). Photo by artist.<\/p>\n

\u201cLisa Bergant Koi: Rest stop\u201d on view Aug. 7-Aug. 28, opening reception Aug. 7, 6-10 p.m.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In \u201cRest stop\u201d Lisa Bergant Koi<\/a> debuts paintings from both her \u201cstuck in gray\u201d and \u201cchanging direction\u201d series. \u201cI strive to create mysterious paintings,\u201d she says, \u201cwhether minute or large in scale, that evoke a sense of wonder in the viewer as an entry point to deeper reflection.\u201d The paintings in \u201cRest stop\u201d,<\/a> she adds, \u201cdeliberately withhold visual information, drawing attention to the assumptions we bring to what remains.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"From left: \u201cLet This Day Twist and Twirl\u201d by Joshua Hogan, \u201cElements Co\u201d by Jeffrey Smith,\u201d \u201cIt Could Go Either Way\u201d by Kristen Letts Kovak (JL Shorr Gallery). Photos by artists.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith Bated Breath: Joshua Hogan, Kristen Letts Kovak, Jeffrey Smith\u201d on view Aug. 8-Sept. 19, art social Aug. 22, 5-8 p.m.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith Bated Breath\u201d<\/a> aligns an artistic trio whose aesthetic approaches always entertain the possibility of surprise. Joshua Hogan<\/a> 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\u2019s<\/a> work, gallery owner Mark Rengers notes \u201cthe paintings do not ask to be solved, they ask to be experienced, to be entered, briefly, without the need to fix them in place.\u201d Master jeweler Jeffrey Smith<\/a> uses a m\u00e9lange of iced metals, natural stones and glass to create intricate, sculptural designs sewn into found leather and suede skins.<\/p>\n

\"\"From top left clockwise: \u201cSnow Moon Over the Ohio\u201d by Brenda Nachreiner, \u201cLooking for Respair\u201d by Kathie Hollingshead, \u201cQuatrefoil\u201d by Burnsbothends, \u201cVejer de la Frontera\u201d by Rick Armstrong (Castle Consortia). Photos courtesy of Castle Consortia.<\/p>\n

Group shows:<\/p>\n

\u201cResonate\u201d on view Aug. 8-Oct. 2, opening reception Aug. 8, 2-6 p.m.<\/p>\n

This eclectic exhibit<\/a> centered on the prompt of \u201cresonate\u201d 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\u2019Ney Pearl, Hannah Pierce, J Rich, Beth Roberts, Elizabeth Roseborough, Jeni Shoemaker, Carolina Tapia Urzua, Sandi Timbus, tw.xxiii, Veronica Varos and David Watterson.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen the Color Fades\u201d on view Aug. 1-Aug. 22, opening reception Aug. 5, 5-8 p.m.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen the Color Fades\u201d<\/a> expands the idea that \u201ccolor is descriptive; black and white is interpretive,\u201d 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\u2019s Pittsburgh Photographic Library Collection<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"\"From left: \u201cSoul Bird Sentinel\u201d by Hilary Shames, \u201cBlues in the key of sea\u201d by Frances Metcalf, \u201cTea Time\u201d by Leah Shuck (Ketchup City Creative). Photos courtesy of Pittsburgh PrintX.<\/p>\n

\u201cIridescent\u201d on view Aug. 8 from 5-9 p.m., Aug. 9 from 1-5 p.m.<\/p>\n

\u201cPittsburgh PrintX 2026\u201d on view Aug. 20-30, opening reception Aug. 21, 6-8 p.m.<\/p>\n

Ketchup City Creative hosts two group shows this month. For \u201cIridescent,\u201d<\/a> curator Heather Heitzenrater<\/a> has gathered a shape-shifting array of paintings and drawings from artists extolling the multi-dimensional intricacies of \u201cshiny, holographic, reflective, rainbowy things\u201d \u2014 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cPittsburgh PrintX 2026\u201d<\/a> features traditional and experimental printmakers from across the region working in linocut, etching, lithography, screen printing, relief, monoprint\u00a0and gel prints. Artists currently set to exhibit include\u00a0Christie 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\u00a0Call for Artists application<\/a> can be submitted up to Aug. 17.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"From left: \u201cCape May Splash\u201d by Michele Randall, \u201cCoral Archive\u201d by Christine Holtz, \u201cArcheology of Venice\u201d by Dan Hendrickson (Associated Artists of Pittsburgh). Photos courtesy of Associated Artists of Pittsburgh.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Light Divides, and the Story Multiplies\u201d on view Aug. 29-Oct. 30, opening reception Aug. 29, 5-7 p.m.<\/p>\n

No need to wait for Sept. 26 to celebrate Annual World Cyanotype Day<\/a>. 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<\/a> 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.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cSCBWI PA West Presents: Kidlit Art Show 2026\u201d on view Aug. 7-Aug. 30, opening reception Aug. 7, 6-9 p.m.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Ever since the 1480 edition of \u201cAesop\u2019s Fables\u201d published by French theologian Julien Macho, illustrations have been an essential element of children\u2019s books around the world. This year\u2019s curated show<\/a> by the Western Pennsylvania chapter of the Society of Children\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

\"\"From left: \u201cSunburst Upon a Tranquil Silence\u201d by John Buxton, \u201cNino\u201d by Yelena Lamm received awards at the International ARC Salon Competition in New York City. Photos courtesy of artists.<\/p>\n

Art people:<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Pittsburgh artists Yelena Lamm<\/a> and John Buxton<\/a> were honored at last month\u2019s International ARC Salon Competition held at Sotheby\u2019s in New York City. The event, \u201cContemporary Realism: Important 21st Century Works,\u201d was hosted by Art Renewal Center<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Skypomp<\/a> is Pittsburgh\u2019s 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).<\/p>\n

The current exhibit \u201cLines\u201d by Milder closes Aug. 16.<\/p>\n

Artist talks:<\/p>\n

Aug. 6, 12-1 p.m. Christine Fr\u00e9chard (gallery owner and native of Champagne, France) explores the role of the French caf\u00e9 as an oasis of vibrant new ideas and world-changing art movements in \u201cThe Influence of Parisian Cafes on Art, Culture, and Literature\u201d.<\/a> It\u2019s part of the lecture series augmenting the Frick Pittsburgh Museum & Gardens\u2019 \u201cFrench Moderns\u201d exhibit on view to Oct. 11. (7227 Reynolds St., Point Breeze)<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Aug. 22-23, 1-4 p.m. Flawed Gems: A Visceral Approach to Self-Portraiture through Polaroid and Collage<\/a> by Lisa Toboz guides participants in creating self-portraiture through Polaroid photography and collage. (Silver Eye Center for Photography, 5228 Penn Ave., Garfield)<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Aug. 28, 6-8 p.m. Sharif Bey offers a free artist\u2019s talk on his current Sharif Bey: Homecoming<\/a> exhibit on view to Oct. 12 at the Andy Warhol Museum. Register here<\/a> for complimentary tickets. (117 Sandusky St., North Side)<\/p>\n

Check these art happenings, too:<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Aug. 7, 6-10 p.m. Unblurred: First Fridays on Penn Avenue<\/a> enlivens the 4800\u20135500 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<\/a> at Pittsburgh Glass Center (5472 Penn Ave.) and the Chili Cheese Dog<\/a> group show at VaultArt Studio (5100 Penn Ave.).<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Aug. 7, 6-9:30 p.m. \u201cGreetings:\u00a0The culture, legacy, and language of the DAP\u201d<\/a> is an art exhibit and film screening exploring the evolution of the DAP handshake \u2014 the unique and now globally ubiquitous handshake gesture<\/a> created among Black G.I.s during the Vietnam War to express battlefield solidarity. Produced by Pittsburgh\u2019s Passion Project Creative<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Aug. 14, 5-10 p.m. Braddock Art Crawl<\/a> holds its Second Friday gathering along Braddock Avenue featuring Two29 Gallery<\/a>, Gallery AFK<\/a>, Braddock Photo Works<\/a>, Ohringer Gallery<\/a> Ink Division<\/a>, PearlArt Sound and Studio<\/a> and The Hollander coworking space<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Aug. 14, 5-9 p.m. On second Fridays May through October, the Carnegie Crawl<\/a> enlivens East and West Main Street with gallery openings, live music and food highlighting the borough\u2019s growing artmaking community \u2014 Double Dog Studios<\/a>, Firebox Art Studios<\/a>, 3rd Street Gallery<\/a>, Pittsburgh Pottery<\/a>, Eccentricity Designs<\/a>, Matt Polk Photography<\/a> and Studio Forget-Me-Not<\/a>. Main Street, Carnegie<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Aug. 22, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Pittsburgh Center for Arts & Media\u2019s annual yART Sale<\/a> is a fusion of yard sale\/art sale with 40+ local artists selling their seconds or any materials they\u2019ve outgrown. 1047 Shady Ave., Shadyside.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Aug. 22, 1 p.m.-8 p.m. Fro Gang and Beltzhoover Neighborhood Council present Echoes of Us: The Black Art Experience<\/a> featuring vendors, food, music and local artists Temujin Bey, JNC Studio and Nonealike425 plus live pottery demonstrations by Sharif Bey. 201 Chalfont St., Beltzhoover<\/p>\n

\u2022 Aug. 22-23, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The 29th annual Shadyside \u2013 The Art Festival on Walnut Street<\/a> showcases 165+ artists from across the U.S.\u00a0including\u00a0Pittsburgh 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<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Aug. 28, 5:30-9 p.m. Pittsburgh Cultural Trust\u2019s monthly Downtown Gallery Crawl<\/a> is a free, multi-venue open house spotlighting live music, dance, spoken word and visual arts at 707 Penn Gallery<\/a>, 820 Liberty Gallery<\/a> and SPACE Gallery<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Aug. 29, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. The fourth annual Building Bridges Day<\/a> promotes diversity, inclusion and community connection with a day of mural painting, art demonstrations, cultural music and dance performances coordinated by painter Ebtehal Badawi<\/a> and the Pittsburgh Builds Bridges initiative. Roberto Clemente Bridge, Downtown<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Aug. 29, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Carnegie Arts Walk<\/a> spotlights the borough\u2019s artmakers along with boutiques and bookstores. Main Street, Carnegie<\/p>\n

And throughout August, as the newly-opened Arts Landing<\/a> fills with daily activities, visitors can\u00a0relish an impressive sequence of outdoor art installations<\/a> by Thaddeus Mosley, Shikeith, John Pe\u00f1a, Lenka Clayton and Philip Andrew Lewis, Mikael Owunna and Marques Redd, vanessa german, Sharmistha Ray and Darian Johnson. Eighth Street & Penn Avenue, Downtown<\/p>\n

\"\"Clockwise from left: \u201cSexy Hot Dog\u201d by Edith Sullivan, \u201cBetty White Eating a Chili Dog at Dad\u2019s Dog & Burger\u201d by Charlie Wallace, \u201cCats and Dogs Hot Dogs\u201d by Tafara Bundrige (VaultArt Studio). Photos courtesy of VaultArt Studio.<\/p>\n

More August openings:<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Sean Derry: Thingum<\/a> (Concept Art Gallery, Aug. 1-Sept. 12)<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Pittsburgh Society of Artists presents PSA Artist\u2019s Choice Exhibition<\/a> (Latrobe Art Center, Aug. 1-28)\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 L\u2019Hirondelle:\u00a0 Juliet Phillips, Naomi Chambers, Alexandre P\u00e9pin<\/a> (Tomayko Foundation, Aug. 6-Sept. 18)<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Chili Cheese Dog<\/a> (VaultArt Studio, Aug. 7-Aug. 30)<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Amanda Ross-Ho:\u00a0Untitled Second Floor (ONE BIG DARK ROOM)<\/a> (Mattress Factory, Aug. 8-Oct. 31)<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Solely Sapience: Solo show by Becky Merbler<\/a> (Ketchup City Creative, Aug. 12-16)<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Selected Works by Fishe and Jaber<\/a> (Two29 Gallery, Aug. 14-Sept. 5)<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0 Art on Fire<\/a> (Pittsburgh Glass Center Aug. 15-Sept. 18)<\/p>\n