By Susan Constanse Some of the best new art by local artists is on display in just a few short blocks along Penn Avenue between N Matilda St. and S. Negley Ave. in Friendship. They range from the highly polished Hodge Gallery at the Pittsburgh Glass Center to Garfield Artworks, with its selection of emerging artists.

10 x 10 x 10 Through September 17, 2011

Pittsburgh Glass Center

The Hodge Gallery

5472 Penn Avenue

Pittsburgh, PA

Summer Hours: Mon, Fri & Sat 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Tue, Wed & Thurs 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

$5 (suggested donation)

Website: www.pittsburghglasscenter.org The Pittsburgh Glass Center is celebrating its 10th Anniversary this year with its exhibit, 10 x 10 x 10. The show brings together local and international artists working in glass, using new and traditional techniques. Heather Joy Puskarich’s work, “Journey”, is a particularly poignant reproduction of a letter from her father. Theo Keller’s work , an installation of finely worked, miniature vessels using lampworking, is also a must-see.

MF Retrospective: 2001 – 2011 Ten Years of ModernFormations Through July 30

4919 Penn Avenue

Pittsburgh PA 15224

(412) 362-0274

Thurs: 7 – 9 p.m., Sat 1 – 4 p.m., or by appointment

Free

Website: http://modernformations.com/ Speaking of anniversaries, Modern Formations is also celebrating its tenth year, with a retrospective of all the gallery exhibits since its inaugural opening. The show is extensive and includes many works from director’s, Jennifer Quinio Hodges, personal collection. Each of the works is accompanied by documentation about its exhibit at Modern Formations, encapsulating the gallery’s history.

Most Wanted Fine Art Opening August 5 at 7PM

5015 Penn Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15224

(412) 328-4737

Hours: By appointment

Free

Website: www.most-wantedfineart.com/ Most Wanted Fine Art will be showcasing drawings and portraits from Mike Galone and Kate Burgess in August, opening on Friday, August 5. The duo work together at Tattoo Noir and have brought those sensibilities to bear in their portraits for this exhibit.

“Bound Up In Our Skin”: Recent Sculpture and Drawings July 1 – 30, 2011

Garfield Artworks

4931 Penn Ave

Pittsburgh, PA 15224

(412) 361-2262

Hours: By appointment

Website: www.garfieldartworks.com/ Ariela Steif will be presenting works from her latest efforts at Garfield Artworks. This exhibit will be a departure for Ms. Stief’s encaustic works and smaller scale works that she has presented in group exhibits. She is definitely stretching her wings in this solo exhibit.

Colorize The Urban Landscape Through July 30

Assemble

5125 Penn Ave

Pittsburgh PA 15224

Hours: By appointment

(412) 432-9127

Free With the dynamic arts community that has arisen in the Penn Avenue arts corridor, there are always new endeavors cropping up. This past April saw the launch of assemble, an interdisciplinary effort, exploring the interfaces between arts, technology and community. Through the end of July, assemblage will be presenting COLORIZE THE URBAN LANDSCAPE, a community project developed by Leah Bevilacqua and Stephanie Brunner. The artists are making the case with this exhibit for the restorative properties of public art for the community. It is amazing what a little paint, and a lot of thought, can do to brighten a dreary cityscape.

Livermore IMAGEBOX

4933 Penn Ave.

Pittsburgh PA 15224

(412) 441-0930

Hours: By appointment

Free Ashley Andrykovitch’s observations about the abandoned community of Livermore will be presented at Imagebox. Her softened palette appropriately expresses the deterioration experienced in these abandoned tons, blending memory and myth with its current state. The venues along Penn Avenue open their doors every first Friday, welcoming performers, poets, and activists to present their voices for Pittsburgh’s cultural explorer. Hours of operation are limited in many of the venues, but most are willing to see you for an appointment. Keep up with the upcoming events on the Penn Avenue Arts Initiative website.