Glass Lofts and Glass Center to form "The Glass CLuster"

This year GA/GI Festival is happy to announce that the I Made It! Market will be joining us in the award winning Glass Lofts. The I Made It! Market, a nomadic indie crafts marketplace that provides opportunities for artists to sell their wares, works to build a sustainable economy for handmade local goods and partners with community, arts, and non-profit organizations, such as GA/GI, to raise awareness and funds to assist in improving  neighborhoods.  One of the organizers, Nina Barbuto, has a special tie to Festival's edition of the I Made It!Market, being showcased for GA/GI as
"I (re)Made It!SMART." Nina was one of the designers who worked for Front Studio Architects, the company behind the Glass Lofts. Arthur Lubetz, the main architect behind the project, had an idea to bring people off the street and into the court yard space with an artist market. You can image how great it will be to see that come to fruition! The Glass Lofts recently received a Certificate of Merit from the Pennsylvania chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIAPA). The fact that Front Studio Architects produce architecture that is experimentally powerful, and environmentally responsive,.was the perfect recommendation for GA/GI Festival Director, and FDA Board member, Christine Bethea.,who plans to use The Glass Lofts at the corner of Penn and Fairmont for a number of activities during this special April "Unblurred" on Penn Avenue.

 "The building has a great look, that lends itself to many artistic uses," said Bethea,"While we're waiting for some of the spaces to be occupied, its only natural we'd use them for community and art projects."

Nina Barbuto and I Made It! Market Director, Carrie Nardini, are excited about the possible handmade, recycled, and locally made wares the 20 some vendors will sell at GA/GI 2011. Others who have utilized  the space for past events include Pittsburgh's AIA, Artist Daviea Davis, ARTica Gallery, Le Mix, Mostly Mod, and  Obscure Games. During GA/GI, Obscure Games will be returning to  Penn Avenue to launch an outdoor cyber-inspired game called "Visible Cities."  The Glass Lofts host spoken word performances, eco art exhibitions, live music on Friday, April 1 and join with with: I re-Made it SMART on Saturday, April 2.

Meanwhile the Pittsburgh Glass Center at 5472 Penn Avenue, retains its position as "Mothership" of the GA/GI. Festival. This is a key location for festival goers to pick up schedules and get the most up to date info on exhibitions and activities. The Center will be open both days, hosting the hugely popular Eco/Tech Fashion Show on Friday evening; the  The Center will also be hosting its own roster of events as its celebrates its 10 year anniversary including glass blowing and an special Anniversary exhibition and re-cap of eco artists Trunk Show and Sale. Keep posted for more details on our blogs's Schedule of Events Page.