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The Irma Freeman Center for Imagination...
has been contributing to the educational and cultural landscape of Pittsburgh, including hosting an array of events and exhibitions, for over 10 years. Since its inception, the IF Center has collaborated with dozens of schools and other organizations, locally, nationally and globally. Our audience and participants are a vast assortment of ages, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. We offer diverse and unique opportunities for artists and patrons alike.
Open Now!
Gallery viewing hours are every Saturday 2-5 pm and by appointment
"Shades of Black," unfolds a narrative that transcends the omonochrome stereotypes of yesteryears. It is an ode to the myriad hues within the spectrum of blackness, where each shade embodies a unique story, a distinctive journey.
This exhibition is a testament to the vibrancy that arises from the diversity of our people. Just as colors multiply, so does the richness of our experiences, cultures, and identities. From the darkest ebony to the sun-kissed bronze, each shade represents a chapter in the epic saga of overcoming adversities and rising above the constraints of societal expectations.
---Cynthia Kenderson, President Women of Visions
Zim Syed (Legal Defense Fund)
Please donate if you have the means to
Venmo pictured below
“Through my practice I seek to dismantle hierarchical structures and ideas of predetermination. My paintings are a re-versioning of existing forms and my installation work focuses on bending reality into something more whimsical. My process is one of collaboration and chance. I often draw from children’s media, popular fiction, and art history; and am deeply influenced by rich history and practices of tricksters, clowns, magicians, and mimes.”
Previous Exhibition!
The Irma Freeman Center for Imagination presents GOOD MORNING PENN AVE HOW ARE YOU. (The Making of Vaultart’s Mural & the Artists Who Made it) This exhibition will showcase the visual artworks of a collaborative mural team. This team consists of VaultArt Artists and staff, and local muralist educators.
In June of 2022, Max Gonzales curated the creation of the VaultArt mural on the 50-foot-long exterior wall on South Winebiddle Street, “Good Morning Penn Ave How Are You”.
Eight primary Vault artists, Steph Neary, Max Gonzales, Vault artist mentor Sam Berner and six local artists combined their artistic styles and completed the mural in time for Vault’s five-year anniversary on July 1st 2022. Prior to the mural painting, each mural educator spent the day with the Vault team to share their painting processes. In 5 separate sessions, all artists collaborated on a large series of wood panel paintings
GALLERY Viewing hourS ARE every Saturday, 2 - 5 PM!
Previous Exhibit!
“From David Goldsteins abstracted lyrical musings, John Morris’s obsessively poetic draughtsmanship, Jill Scipione’s reflective renderings of skulls past and future, Phil Rostek’s dark riffs on the light of St. Francis, Jean McClung’s lush and layered introspection, Frank Harris’s cloud study blues, John Bender’s penetrating gaze into the void and Francis Crisafio’s dream pool of the maternal, this show is a mix of determination, persistence and, in the end, the courage to create.”
BOOK RELEASE
Order our new catalog! This book features the work of 50 artists who participated in our Group Collage Exhibition, Cut & Paste
Beginner Yoga taught by Sha
In-Person Yoga Classes open! Every Tuesday night at 6:30 pm 2022. Doors open at 6:15 pm at our spacious gallery. Join us for IF Yoga Meet UP
past exhibition
Pinaka Art
Pinaka Art is a collaborative between father and son, Ravindra and Sagar Kamath based in Pittsburgh, PA. Our combined experiences span a variety of media and techniques culminating in a wide variety of products and services. As a collective, Pinaka Art creates contemporary works inspired by South Asian motifs and culture.
Tales of cursive lands, sāgar and Ravi Kamath, Pinaka Art: Sagar Kamath is an interdisciplinary artist that creates work exploring his identity as an Indian-born American through painting, digital design, and Kathak. He draws inspiration from traditional South Asian forms and aesthetics. Sagar has commissioned works for Riverlife and the Pittsburgh Post Gazette amongst others.
We are so honored to have been a part of this amazing show.Thankyou!
Rent our Space!
Email info@irmafreeman.org
Rent our Venue! For more information click here for our Booking Page!
etsy shop returning soon! new offerings include if art on mugs, hoodies, Tee Shirts, pillows, legging, socks and more!
Check Out our Artists’ Boutique!
Painting by Joan Brindle
The Irma Freeman Center is the proud sponsor of WRCT
IF sponsors wrct radio programming
Free Craft Kits! Watch free tutorial for kids 5 & up! Go to this link and watch in cyber space! Also we have clothespin Doll Kits. See tutorial Sheila Ali on making Clothespin Dolls with ArtsEd Collaborative!
Update 11/6/2020:
We are proud to announce that we are now an official partner with Pittsburgh Public Schools! We are very excited to increase our outreach to children all around the Pittsburgh area. This is just another step in our journey to bring visual, performing arts and STEAM to more kids in our wonderful community!
Covid-19 Policies as of October 31, 2021
Dear Patrons, Customers, and Supporters,
The Irma Freeman Center for Imagination has decided to OPEN with preventative steps relating to the health and safety of our patrons including adhering to all CDC guidelines. There are no documented cases of staff or visitor exposure to COVID-19 at the IFCI. We are taking this step with the utmost concern for the health and wellness of our guests and staff.
We are doing everything within our power to help prevent the spread of COVID-19:
We encourage the use of masked for our in-person events and social distancing with limited capacity
We have and will continue to perform increased facility-sanitization procedures;
We have undertaken social distancing for necessary on-site staff
Moving forward, we have encouraged any necessary on-site employees exhibiting any COVID-19 or flu-like symptoms to remain at home.
While we don’t anticipate any issues, we will post updates on our website or follow us on on our social media channels: <https://twitter.com/IFreemanCenter <https://www.instagram.com/ifcenter/>, <https://www.facebook.com/IFCenter/>
We thank you for your continued support of the Irma Freeman Center. We hope that everyone remains safe and calm in this environment of increased risk.
Sincerely,
Sheila Ali, Director
Irma Freeman Center for Imagination
Yelp Reviews
5.0 star ratings
This has got to be one of the finest community centers a city could have! Located on Penn Avenue in Garfield on the heart of galleries and shops. Irma Freeman was a Pittsburgh artist who was born in Germany. She worked as a painter with most of her impressionist landscapes being painted after she turned 70. The Center has all of the information and history on her interesting life from the very beginning.
I've been here several times for classes and exhibitions. In addition, they participate in Unblurred the first Friday of every month. It's nice to have them participate in this gallery crawl because they often have live bands in addition to works on display.
Some of the classes they offer include Zumba, Capoeira Angola (martial arts), Wing Tsun Kung Fu, African drum classes, as well as DIY projects and tech.
Another Pittsburgh gold mine that shouldn't be taken for granted. -Karla D.
Wonderful community center, gallery, and event center. I attended a poetry reading here, but they also host community events, classes, summer camps, and art exhibitions. Whether you attend a Yoga or art class here, it's an inviting and welcoming space that will expand your horizons and encourage your creativity. -David B.
The art was amazing and very interesting. What I saw was contemporary art that was incredibly thought provoking. The two people that were in there were very pleasant to chat with and knowledgeable about the art work. They even encouraged us to come back on the first Friday next month. I loved everything I saw so much and I look forward to my next visit here. -Sue T.
