Pittsburgh’s 10 Best Contemporary Art Galleries

Non-profit art gallery SPACE is located in what used to be a downtown video pornography store. This unique gallery’s mission is the realization of a working, integrated and open art ecosystem in Pittsburgh. The gallery holds a number of solo and thematic group shows throughout the year such as the Paper Politics exhibition which examined social and political themes through printmaking. SPACE values the creation of new forms of artistic expression and presents works across a variety of media including contemporary technologies alongside more traditional mediums of sculpture and photography. The gallery aims to broadcast selected artworks to the broadest possible audience showcasing works by established and emerging local and national artists. SPACE also hosts regular experimental projects, openings, artist talks, and events such the popular ‘share pickups’ where patrons can collect art ‘shares’.

Concept Art Gallery, owned by Sam Berkovitz, was established in 1972. The gallery represents and exhibits works by many of Pittsburgh’s most established artists alongside other nationally and internationally recognized creatives. Their collection includes contemporary graphics by well-known American and European artists, including Richard Diebenkorn, April Gornik, Jenny Holzer, Richard Serra, Sol Lewitt, Glen Ligon, and many others. The gallery’s other focus is on contemporary realist paintings and historical industrial images of Pittsburgh, featuring works by Hetzel, Aaron Gorson, and Henry Koerner, and photographic works by Luke Swank, Selden Davis, and Ross Altwater. This collection is an important regional specialty for the gallery and is unique in Pittsburgh.

Since 1971 the Society for Contemporary Crafts has offered cutting-edge exhibitions of craft media by international, national and regional artists. Established by Elizabeth Rockwell Raphael to broaden opportunities for craft artists, and to exhibit and sell their work, the Society’s focus is on multicultural diversity and non-mainstream art. The Society is one of America’s only non-profit institutions to focus completely on contemporary craft. Since their inception, they have organized over 140 thematic exhibitions and featured works by more than 1,400 artists including those from underrepresented groups such as Native American, Korean, and African-American artists. Alongside each exhibition, the Society runs interpretive programs, lectures, performances, and weekend events to engage visitors in the creative process of contemporary craft and design.

Morgan Contemporary Glass Gallery was established in 1997 as Pittsburgh’s first art gallery dedicated to exhibiting contemporary studio glass. Their focus is on sculpture, goblets, glass jewelry, and mixed media by emerging and established glass artists both from the United States and abroad. The collection includes Robert Dane’s unusual and collectible tutti-frutti goblets, sophisticated jewelry by Karen Gilbert and Beth Williams, and colorful cast-glass pieces by renowned Australian glass artist Warren Langley. The annual Morgan Contemporary Glass winter show is a key event on the Pittsburgh arts calendar featuring works by artists who either work or teach at the famous Pittsburgh Glass Centre. This exhibition highlights the importance of cooperation and collaboration within the local arts and studio glass communities bringing together works by many of the region’s most established glass artists including Chris Clarke, Ron Desmett, and Jason Forck.