Passports: The Art Diversity Project/ Artica Gallery

Hitting It Out of the Park

2011-08-19T11:33:00.000-07:00

The evening of Thursday, August 18, Passports was proud to deliver a quilt created by Christine Bethea to the Roberto Clemente Museum curated by photographer, Duane Reider.. It took one year to complete the work. Both the museum and Ms. Bethea's organization Passports are supported by Pittsburgh Gateways.

Adding tech assistance were artists, Brenda Brown and Susan Constanse. To see other work by Ms. Bethea, an award winning quilter, registered with the Heinz History Center, visit Quilter's Candy.

Passports/ARTica Ends and Begins Another Great Year!

2011-01-09T09:11:00.000-08:00

We're proud of all our accomplishments in 2010. Some of the best being the creation of Pennsylvania's first Eco, Art and Tech Festival--GA/GI (pronounced GAH-gee) as a key event of World Environment Day. Our Green Team helped a number of emerging artists move forward in their careers.through exhibiting and doing demos at the event. This year, in addition to the festival, we've teamed up with Pittsburgh Gateways to build a fiberarts business that will produce a series of fiberart quilts based on the history of Pittsburgh's Hill District. And we're working with the Roberto Clemente Museum to complete a quilt for fundraising. Meanwhile the ARTIca shop will be totally overhauled by Grove City Student Sam Perry. We've put out a call for artists to program it for the upcoming year, looking forward to showcasing fiberartist Cathleen Bailey in June with an exhibition called "Sparkle."So many great ideas! We'll keep you posted.

Passports/Artica to Host Grove City College and Sam Perry for SamSamLand Exhibition in April 2011 @ GA/GI Festival

2010-09-27T06:50:00.001-07:00

"Welcome To SamSamland: Don't Wear Black to My Funeral" will be a gallery and music event curated by Sam Perry of Grove City University. SamSamland's key focus is the balance between celebrating and mourning life. This will be done through the exploration of trauma and its effect on the individual and community. SamSamland serves as a freeing space for victims of trauma and their family and friends as well as an educational experience for all those involved. Recycled materials will be used for all of the pieces, showing that beauty can be created out of everyone's damaged goods. For more information, check out samsamland's blog or search "Welcome to SamSamland" on Facebook.

Passports to Senegal

2010-07-29T15:08:00.001-07:00

Due to budget difficulties in Senegal; this project has been postponed

Art work produced by the roster of Passports To Senegal Artists: Leslie Ansley, Vanessa German, LaVerne Kemp and Saihou Njie. Below Hip Hop Producer, Emmai Alaquiva and Cinematographer, Billy Jackson.

UPDATE 9/28 State Department hopes to plan reception for all US participants at FESMAN

UPDATE 7/31 Passports co-founders Christine Bethea and Brenda Brown were recent guests in New York by invitation of Senegalese Cultural Affairs Minister, Seregine Modou Bousso Leye, who has formally extended his invitation to exhibit Pittsburgh artists in Senegeal in December 2010, on behalf of President Wade.

Passports current project is to organize a delegation of six to eight artists to attend FESMAN--the World Festival of Back Art in Dakar, Senegal. Pittsburgh, selected as the G-20 City, only the 37th city for World Environment Day, and as thrice crowned Most Livable City, has a presence on the world stage that is undeniable; making it's arts scene one of the most desirable on the planet.

"We see Pittsburgh's continued growth and visibility as a wonderful opportunity for our arts community to reach out and become more involved in global affairs," says Christine Bethea, Passports Director. "We have a lot to give wherever we can represent, and we're happy to do it."

Passports is in the process of finding supporters for the project, and expects the delegation to leave sometime in mid December for the opening ceremonies of this rare event which has occurred only two other times: 1966 and 1977. It's been 33 years since the last FESMAN was held in Nigeria.

"We are talking to many people both in Pittsburgh and Senegal and doing everything possible to make this a reality," said Bethea who has organized several key multicultural events in the city including Pittsburgh's first art and technology fest this past April. "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity."

The artists selected by invitation are multidisciplinary, covering all mediums and will have time to study and observe African master artists. Upon returning; a speaker's bureau will be formed and the artists will available to groups and organizations to talk about the experiences and perform workshops.

LIFE Pittsburgh and Passports Green Art Projects

2010-07-13T20:02:00.000-07:00

Passports has been working with Life Pittsburgh for three years to produce art created from recycled items! Seniors have stamped vintage fabric, rolled paper beads made of magazines and wrapping paper, repurposed old string, sewed, pasted and collaged their way into producing many incredible works of art for the walls and common spaces of several local senior day cares. Other Life Centers hosting art by Passports are in the Hill District and on the North Shore. The Organization founders, Christine Bethea and Brenda Brown, have plans to work with other companies that cater to the senior population in the region, in the near future.

Shown here: Panels gracing the dining room of Life's Senior Center in Green Tree.

Passports is Looking for Artists

2010-04-30T04:47:00.000-07:00

Think you've got a show??? Let us know! $100 bucks gets you in our window and on a wall as a guest artist for Unblurred. You may be the next Picasso! Send images to passports.art@gmail.com

2010-02-23T13:13:00.000-08:00

For several months now, Passports has been the principal planner of the Geek Art/Green Innovators event, which will be Pittsburgh's First Art and Technology Festival! We're proud to be hosting this ground-breaking project and have enjoyed meeting the working with some of the city's finest innovators in the green and technology industries. Hope to seen you there! For more information, click here.

Passports is Publishing Update!

2009-11-04T20:44:00.000-08:00

Passports first book of events is now available! It begins in the summer of 2008 with the success of ARTini in the Penn Avenue Arts District and documents a full year of promoting and supporting some of Pittsburgh's finest artists. Photos of all the people, events and exhibitions! Are YOU in there? Click on the book cover for more!

PASSPORTS: The...

Celebrating the di...

By Volume 1

Book Preview

ARTica goes to the Movies!

2009-10-02T06:13:00.000-07:00

Lionsgate has informed us that a poster done for us by a former La Roche Student, will be part of a background scene in the new Russell Crowe movie being shot here in

Pittsburgh for the next several months titled The Next Three Days.

Apparently Crowe is in the Pittsburgh T-station, averting disaster while our poster looks on from the wall....cool. We'll let you know if we get on the poster's social calendar!

UPCOMING PASSPORTS/ARTica EVENTS + Classes at Storefront U

2009-08-28T19:14:00.001-07:00

Passports/ARTica hosts: "This November, It's all about December!"
Following "Look Pumpkin, winter is coming" ....Now through November 30, enjoy the end-of-season sales and clearances on home-grown art, unique antiques and curious collectibles @ ARTica plus tons coming into the store for the holidays!

Sign up for Fall Classes @ ARTica's "Store Front University"

DEC THE HALLS with Origami! Thursday, Dec 3 7-9 p.m.
A workshop with local artist, Susan Constanse. Make decorative boxes for small gifts or ornaments for your tree. Cost $6 per person
Register by e-mail: passports.art@gmail.com

THANKS FOR MAKING OUR COOKING CLASSES A SUCCESS!

Culinary Arts--Cold Cooking.... In this series of 4 classes, East End Chefs show you how to prepare Great foods as the weather chills. Mondays in October.

October 5. First class-- "Autumn BBQ" with Chef TJ from Z-Best , 6 to 8 p.m. $7 per class gets you a seat, a beverage and food samples. ---class completed, next class 10/12

October 12, "My Fav Marinades." Vegan Chef Steve Harlow from Brillo Box gives salads some edge and shows how to take Tofu from Wimpy to Awesome with his "Take Another Look at Tofu!" Bring a notebook!

October 19, Charles Smith of the Culinary Artists Catering Group prepares Thai Curry Pumpkin Bisque and Warm Wild Mushroom Salad with crumbled Goat Cheese.

October 26, Executive Chef, Mike Flom from the Sausalido restaurant in Bloomfield comes to ARTica to show you how to prepare an easy Napa Valley dish for the holidays.

Sew, You Want to Make a Quilt Ages 18+

(TBA in January 2010)

Make a quilt--Break the rules! CreateImprov Log Cabins your way! Design your instruction time around our flexible schedule!

Bring fabric assortment or cotton clothing, needle thread and scissors; some fabric supplied. $20 person or buddy program 2/$35
Chat and bond for free! Bring snacks and beverages for your comfort;
(includes follow-up classes in coming weeks to check your progress, and help you complete your quilt; Plus opportunity to join our ARTica quilt show for Mother's day in May 2010!)

To resister by e-mail or to ask questions: passports.art@gmail.com

AHA-Moments By Christine

2009-07-15T13:02:00.000-07:00

On Friday July 7, 2009 from 7:00 PM-10PM, ARTica Gallery @ 5110 Penn Avenue hosts:

AHA-Moments By Christine, a one-woman exhibition featuring the work of ARTica Gallery Director, Christine McCray-Bethea, who will showcase quirky, funky but always friendly salvage and fiber art from her African(American) Mask and Religion-at-glance series as well as her quilts and works on paper. Plus explore more art, antiques and collectibles to buy as you enjoy the usual fun, food, music and mixing! http://www.passportsart.blogspot.com/ Visit our newest blog! http://www.seengreenpgh.blogspot.com/

LESS is MORE 2: The Little Art Show--EXPANDED-- Work by Constanse, Gyre, Gregio, Kemp, Strovers, Bethea, Weirzbowski and Fair!

2009-06-04T08:46:00.000-07:00

Join us @ ARTica on Friday, July 3 for Less is MORE--EXPANDED. Our show which debuted last month was so much fun, we're expanding it into July. Come find out the real meaning of downsize! Our four featured artists represent a mix of mediums from femo to found objects. And we're adding the art of Christine Bethea, Richard Weirzbowski, a regular at ARTica, a return of Rene Fair from last fall's "Art Seen" and as promised in January--there's more of Robert Strovers! It shows to go ya that thinking small isn't such a bad idea. Also try some small art for yourself and add it to our "Gallery on Demand" Come enjoy another great evening of music, munchies, friends and all that! It's all @ ARTica from 7 pm to 10 pm, 5110 Penn Avenue 15224.

McCormack Baron Salazar Inc. and Passports' Diversity Project Nominated for Work of Art Award

2009-05-23T09:00:00.000-07:00

Passports: The Art Diversity Project is proud to announce its "finalist" title along with real estate developers, McCormack, Baron, Salazar, Inc. bestowed by the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council. Only three such arts and business collaborations in the city were nominted for the "Work of Art" Award. The two have partnered for the last few years in placing work by local artists in the community spaces of McCormack, Baron and Salazar's buildings and leasing offices throughout Pittsburgh. The two entities have been nominated for the success of their collaborations, which include building one of the largest privately owned collections of local art by a developer in the city of Pittsburgh.

"It's been great working with such an innovative company," said Christine Bethea, Passports' Director. "They've shown what business and arts can do, if they just shake hands."

A Bullish Night @ ARTica's May "Unblurred"

2009-05-08T17:10:00.000-07:00

Quilts, Art and Other Women's Work: An Exhibition and "Artonomic" Stimulus Sale--Featuring RED BULL Energy Drinks and National Contest Information

2009-04-16T14:23:00.000-07:00

A little Bull never hurt anybody! Join us for Friday, May 1st, 2009 Unblurred on Penn Avenue and get details on how to enter Red Bull's design competiton called ART OF CAN (more details at)>http://diggingpitt.blogspot.com/ Also enjoy our art exhibit of quilts and art work by Susan Constanse, Christiane D and Amy Kerlin. We'll also unveil the winning logo designed by La Roche graphics students. ( See below) It's all @ ARTica! 5110 Penn Avenue.

La Roche Students Ace Passports/ARTica "Exam"

2009-03-31T20:49:00.000-07:00

Not long after Passports found a home at ARTica, La Roche College gave our fledgling organizations a makeover with logos and a new advertising campaign through a 72 hour competition among students in their graphics and design department, Called "Immersions" the program gives students real life work experience. Here, the winning team, "The Throwbacks" with left to right: Steve Mauro, Lindsay Tichenor, Anthony Atwood (team captain); Krish Mohan and Don Willow. Look for the winning logo and other student work at the Unblurred first Friday art crawl on May, lst @ ARTica!

See it Again, Yunz!

2009-02-11T09:08:00.000-08:00

"SEEING PITTSBURGH"
(RE)Opens March 6, 2009
@ ARTica Art and Antiques
5110 Penn Avenue 7-9:30 pm
during Unblurred Art Crawl

The "eastern" Segments of "Seeing Pittsburgh" which ran through January 31, 2009 in celebration of Pittsburgh's 250th anniversary at the Rivers of Steel at the Bost Building, is coming to the ARTica Gallery thanks to the Passports Project! Originally, "Seeing Pittsburgh" showcased 44 Pittsburghers from eleven neighborhoods who, armed with cameras and the instructions to show us what defines their community, photographed the good, the bad, the new, the old, the physical, the emotional... and everything that defined their neighborhood. Come to Penn Avenue's Unblurred Art Crawl event on March 6 from 7-10 p.m and see it all again! ARTica is proud to host segments of the show which include, Bloomfield, Lawrenceville, Squirrel Hill, Point Breeze and the Hill District. The exhibit is up Thurdsays through Saturdays until March 28, 2009, or by appt.

Construction as Canvas

2009-01-26T10:15:00.000-08:00

Passports is assisting the Office of Public Art in coordinating a special art opportunity for Hill District or Uptown Youth Groups called Construction as Canvas for the
Sports & Exhibition Authority. Check back with us to see how artists can get involved, too. Also don't miss an opportunity to have your art seen 365/24-7 on the Artist Listserv!

Passports is Publishing!

2009-01-23T11:23:00.000-08:00

If there are no pictures, it didn't happen! So we're putting all our great art adventures of the last year into a book. Part report and part journal, our publication will layout how Passports: The Art Diversity Project made it all happen. From finding funds to wrangling art and services to create some of Pittsburgh's most innovative and artistic events, it's our group hug to our supporters and arts aficionados everywhere. We give extra thanks to The Spout Fund, without whose support we would could not have succeeded so fast. Expect this Passports publication at the ARTica Gallery, online and in specialty shops (TBA) by June 2009.

NEWS FOR A NEW YEAR!

2008-12-03T05:29:00.000-08:00

With the holiday season winding down, comes the winding up of a new year with a new U.S. president. Oh, sure, YOU have big plans, too and some undigested turkey still sitting in your stomach, but if you can make some room, here is the perfect dessert! Posted here: a pic of Robert Strovers and his amazing photo, "Lamps and Stucco." Passports/Artica Gallery will soon be featuring a selection of his incredible photography which includes irresistible urban textures and landscapes. Also keep checking this site for upcoming classes (See"quilting"below) and events we're involved in like ART KINGS OF THE HILL, now through January 23rd at the August Wilson's Gallery at 209/9th Street --Passports' Project Director, Christine Bethea will be curator for show featuring noted Hill District Artists like Amir Rashidd (video below), Thaddeus Mosely (book in print), Jorge Meyers (click to view his PPG Video by Annie O'Neill) , Biko, George Gist, Bo Hill, Carlos Peterson, Norman Brown, (art shown, here: Game), Dingbat, Yourba Batonga, "Teenie" Harris, Ernest Bey, James McCoy and K eith "Pizza" Smith
(Smith's car hood, above).
Closing Reception /ART KINGS OF THE HILL
Thursday, January 22, 6-8:30 pm.
Get the New August Wilson Center
Update and learn what's happening
to Pittsburgh's Romare Bearden Mural
at the Port Authority T-Station.

Amir Rashidd, Artist/Storyteller

Then its on to the Quilter's Weekend at the Senator John Heinz History Center January 24-25, 2009 which will feature the Pittsburgh Friendship Quilt and the history of African-American quilt makers and making in Pittsburgh, an annual exhibition, curated by Passports' Christine Bethea.
(See Tina Brewer's quilt during an interview with
Terri Blanchette, Director of Programming at the Heinz History Center.)

ARTica is the Offical new home for the Passports Art Diversity Project

2008-11-03T08:31:00.000-08:00

Happy to have a final home and opportunity , Christine Bethea and Brenda Brown of the Passports Art Diversity Project, have dubbed the Penn Avenue Corridor "Art Central."

"It doesn't get any better than this," said Christine. "The entire community is a virtual dream team! The Bloomfield/Garfield Association, Sprout, and the Penn Avenue Arts Initiative under Friendship Development have all been wonderfully supportive of us and our programs. They want artists and the energy they bring to a community and they are in no way bashful about it."

ARTica is currently showcasing Passports "Sugar & Spice" sale and exhibition featuring original art and prints by local artists of many cultures along with an array of antiques and collectibles. The shop is open Thursday, Friday noon to 6, Saturday noon to 5 p.m.

SPECIAL RECEPTION FOR "TEXTILE INTERIORS" curated by Cathleen Bailey

Friday, November 7 from 6 to 10 p.m. (see details below)

Multicultural Holiday Event

2008-09-10T07:00:00.000-07:00

~ created and inspired by ~
African, Latin, Asian, Indian
and Native American Cultures

GOING ON NOW!

Participating Artists:

Amir, Leslie Ansley, Cathleen Bailey, C.C. Bethea,

Biko, Tina Brewer, Brenda Brown, Norman Brown,

Susan Constanse, Bill Cousins, Rene Fair, Vanessa German,

Michelle Gregio, Teresa Harris, LaVerne Kemp, Ryan Holandes,

Betsy Jones, Moshe, Saihou Njie, Lynn Rakovich, Charles Smith,

John Tarka, Richard Wierzbowski and Bob Ziller

Exhibit and Sale open every
Thursday, Friday and Saturday
Through Friday December 511 to 6 p.m.

Friendship-Garfield area

Curated by Christine Bethea and Ryan Holandes

Also Exhibiting...

Textile Interiors

A show of Student work through

"The Quilting"

Curated by Cathleen Bailey

Art Above: My roots are in African by Biko;
Geisha by Leslie Ansley

Art SEEN

2008-09-10T05:39:00.000-07:00

Art SEEN
Creating Art in the face of Challenge
September 5, 2008 @ ARTica
5510 Penn Avenue 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Participating Artists: Biko, Debbie Bobeck, Susan Constanse, Rene Fair, Bill Cousins, C.C. Bethea, Richard Wierzbowski and Susan Wagner

Special thanks for their assistance with the exhibition:
Kirsten Ervin
Susan Constanse
Joyce LeSesne
James Gyre

ARTini

2008-08-08T14:17:00.000-07:00

ARTini Artists

Kate Dambach . Amir . Biko . Adam Wadell . LaVerne Kemp . Leslie Ansley . Laura McLaughlin . Anne Hayes, Ian green . Bill Cousins . Vanessa German . Ruth Ward . Monique Luck . Sandy Simon . Ian Green . Jorge . Susan Constanse. Bob Johnson . George Gist . Tom Panei . John Walter . Ben Crouse . Bob Ziller . Susan Wagner . Michele Gregio . Mary Martin . Justin Rothshank . Cheryl Capezzuti . Norman Brown . Wendy Osher

ARTini: Art Shaken, Not Stirred was Passport's inaugural exhibit. The exhibit was held during the Unblurred Art Cubed Event on June 6th, 2008 at 113 South Pacific, just off Penn Avenue. ARTini featured thirty of Pittsburgh’s finest artists from all cultures and economic backgrounds and showcasing dozens of art styles. The opening night of the ARTini Exhibition and Sale lived up to its promise to be a stellar experience with something for everyone from paintings in oil and acrylic, to sculptures, abstracts, mosaic, fiber art, mixed media, collage, pop art, salvage art and even an installation by students from the Digital Fabrication Lab at Carnegie Mellon University.

The turnout for the first Passports event was delightful --

So many art lovers and artists came through to view the work and hang out. And with good reason! Check out the slide show of the art work represented at ARTini --

Also supporting the ARTini event on June 6th is Hill House Association whose staff was on hand to sell advance tickets to a rare performance of Issac Hayes with the Pittsburgh Symphony scheduled for later in the month.

The Sprout Fund is a nonprofit organization supporting innovative ideas and grassroots community projects that are catalyzing change in Pittsburgh.

ARTini: Art Shaken, Not Stirred

2008-08-08T10:11:00.000-07:00

ARTini: Art Shaken, Not Stirred was Passport's inaugural exhibit, hosted at the Bloomfield/Garfiield Activity Center (Thanks BGC!). The exhibit was held during the Unblurred Art Cubed Event on June 6th, 2008 at 113 North Pacific, just off Penn Avenue. ARTini featured thirty two of Pittsburgh’s finest artists from all cultures and economic backgrounds and showcasing dozens of art styles. The opening night of the ARTini Exhibition and Sale lived up to its promise to be a stellar experience with something for everyone from paintings in oil and acrylic, to sculptures, abstracts, mosaic, fiber art, mixed media, collage, pop art, salvage art and even an installation by students from the Digital Fabrication Lab at Carnegie Mellon University.

Curators of the exhibition with support from Friendship Development, Christine Bethea, Brenda Brown and Leslie Ansley of Passports: Art of Diversity had been looking for reason and a location do such an eclectic event. Art Cubed, a partnership between the Penn Avenue Arts District, East Liberty, and Lawrenceville proved to be pivotal.

“As far as we're concerned, there are never enough opportunities to show-off all the great talent the Pittsburgh region has to offer,” said Bethea. “We may not have them all here, but we have most ot he best and creative."

Bethea, Brown, and Ansley, all artists themselves, plan a series of other exhibitions in the upcoming months on Penn Avenue and around the city including one in September featuring artists who are blind and visually impaired is scheduled for September 5th. “Their work is amazing, “said Brown, who will lead a sculpture workshop prior to the event. “We are inviting other artists to be part of their exhibition as well. We believe it will be the first time the two art communities have ever shown work together in the city.

Another project the group has in the works is a global inspired arts fair called “Sugar and Spice,” planned for October. “We have some wonderful programs in mind. ARTini is just the tip of the arts iceberg,” said Ansley, who with Bethea and Brown are recent recipients of a Sprout Fund Seed Award.

The Sprout Fund is a nonprofit organization supporting innovative ideas and grassroots community projects that are catalyzing change in Pittsburgh.

Also supporting the ARTini event on June 6th is Hill House Association whose staff will be on hand to sell advance tickets to a rare performance of Issac Hayes with the Pittsburgh Symphony scheduled for later in the month.

For more details about the exhibit, please see the ARTini page