Virtual Exhibit Travels 'Digitally from Denver to Sewickley'

A first-of-it's-kind virtual exhibit is coming to Sewickley Friday and Saturday, according to the show's organizers.

The Sewickley Arts Initiative will present "Quick Response: Digitally from Denver to Sewickley." An open reception from 6 to 9 p.m. today at ., 541 Beaver St., will give visitors a chance to take in a "virtual" exhibition. The show will remain open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.  

This virtual medium allows visitors to view only QR codes in the exhibition space and in store windows around Sewickley, according to SAI.

The codes will then direct the visitors—via a smart phone, hand-held device or iPad—to a survey of contemporary art by Denver artists, originally curated by Eric Matelski and exhibited at The MacSpa.

"The square QR codes that usually resemble small pixilated checkerboards are a tool fueled by advertisers and marketers with a desire to connect with today's plugged-in and socially networked masses," SAI said in a statement.

"Popping up everywhere from magazine covers, to CNN, to retail applications, QR codes are bar codes on steroids."

As a complement to the Denver artist group, three Pittsburgh artists who are exploring the possibilities of this medium—Lori Hepner, Patrick Millard, Hyla Willis and visiting Denver artist Miguel Tarango—also are featured.

Now artists are finding new uses for this technology. Andrew Ames, curator and a Co-Director of the Sewickley Arts Initiative and a Denver native, arranged to bring this survey of Denver artists to Pittsburgh.

Instead of hiring shippers to deliver truckloads of art, SAI now can introduce the audience to the contemporary art of the Mile High City via a camera-equipped  device.

The Sewickley Arts Initiative supports and promotes contemporary visual art in the region to enhance the cultural life of Sewickley and aid the revitalization efforts of Sewickley's business district.

This is the fifth SAI curatorial project that exhibits contemporary art in Sewickley's vacant storefronts. 

For more information, visit www.sewickleyartsinitiative.org

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Additional evening art gallery events taking place from 6 to 9 p.m. today include:

A closing reception at , 427 Broad St., for "," a collection of figurative paintings by Pennsylvania artist . Visit elanarts.com for more information.

A closing reception for artist at , 507 Beaver St. Call 412-741-1177 for more information.

A for the exhibit of "Beautiful/Gritty: Nature/City" with art by Michel Hersen and Rafaelo Kazakov of Bulgaria at ., 541 Beaver St.