Pittsburgh gallery opens with a pop-up exhibition for all
An art gallery in Downtown Pittsburgh will debut with a welcoming exhibition.
“This gallery is about unity,” said Cynthia Kenderson, who co-owns Blaqk House Collections with Nicky Jo Dawson. “It will showcase artists of all races. Our logo is the rainbow, so this gallery is inclusive for everyone. I am ecstatic about this show.”
The plan is to open the space, at 440 First Ave., near Cherry Way, as a pop-up art gallery from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday. It will eventually be a café and a space to view art. Kenderson and Dawson will have their poetry displayed on two columns inside the space.
“It’s great to have diversity, and I have been conscious of that and have been reaching out to people from different backgrounds for my ‘Big Faces’ project,” said Pittsburgh artist Tom Mosser, who will feature four paintings from his “Big Faces” exhibit set to premiere in 2021. “We want to make a statement with this show, because of everything that is going on in our world. It’s been an honor for me to create these faces of people of color.”
Each “Big Face” weighs 3 pounds and is 4 feet 10 inches by 5 feet 10 inches. Mosser will showcase designer Kiya Tomlin, playwright, director and producer Mark Clayton Southers, vice president of finance and CFO at Carnegie Mellon University Angela Blanton and Pittsburgh Emmy-award winning producer Emmai Alaquiva.
Artist Karen Veltman of Highland Park created what she describes as pieces that reflect abstract organic form. She’s named the collection of acrylic paintings “Botanical Cosmo.” Veltman also has a pencil and graphite sketch on display.
The art of boxers on the wall was done by Keith Weston, a former boxer from Sheraden. He describes his pieces as a little nostalgic. Weston draws with color pencils and magic markers.
“I like to create intensity in the faces,” he said. “I want every detail to be just right.”
There will be quilts made by artist Cassandra L. Oden of Robinson and pieces by Morgan Overton of Shadyside, a visual artist who uses art as a platform for advocacy.
Some of the works will be for sale.
Carol Speaks, of Homewood, is executive director of Liberation Ukombozi (ukombozi means liberation in Swahili). She brought art from people incarcerated in Pennsylvania prisons.
“All the money made from sales of this art goes back to them,” said Speaks, who lost a son and grandson to violence and also has a son serving life in prison. “I am a person of faith and love, and it’s about forgiveness.”
Camerin “Camo” Nesbit of Homewood describes his art as representations of black people in uplifting poses. In each piece you will spot a monarch butterfly which is significant of his transformation from an athlete to an artist.
“It is very important to uplift people,” he said. “There is too much focus on the negative so let’s focus on the positive. We have to advance to bring about change. Art does wonders to bring all people together, because if it’s beautiful, it’s beautiful.”
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region’s diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of “A Daughter’s Promise.” She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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