Pittsburgh Glass Center and Pittsburgh Filmmakers/Pittsburgh Center for the Arts Move Closer to Merger

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Pittsburgh Glass Center (PGC) and Pittsburgh Filmmakers/Pittsburgh Center for the Arts (PF/PCA) announced that they have agreed to begin the process of combining the nonprofit organizations. The boards of directors of both PGC and PF/PCA will immediately begin merger negotiations that are expected to last 12 - 18 months. There is no guarantee that a merger will take place; however, both organizations are entering into the agreement with enthusiasm for the future of one comprehensive arts organization that supports all visual artists of any age and stage of their creative lives.

"This merger is totally in the best interest of the community and it is truly unique. What other organization in the region offers comprehensive resources and support for visual artists? We are programmatically and philosophically aligned. We teach. We show and we support the people who make contemporary art. We can do so much more together than we can individually," said Charlie Humphrey, executive director of both PGC and PF/PCA.

This move puts both organizations ahead of the international trend of using multimedia in contemporary art. An example is the new exhibition at PGC that is being presented in collaboration with PF/PCA called "The Way of Samsara" by Japanese artist Fumino Hora. The new multimedia installation includes glass, paper, photography and video. The work is a result of a partnership between PF/PCA and PGC and residences at both organizations over the last two years. The exhibition opens Friday, November 5, 2010 from 6 to 9pm.

About Pittsburgh Glass Center

Pittsburgh Glass Center is a nonprofit, public access glass studio and gallery dedicated to teaching, creating and promoting glass art. A growing arts organization in the region that is celebrating its 10th anniversary, PGC continues to bring new life to Pittsburgh's glass art legacy. Learn more about the Pittsburgh Glass Center by visiting the Web site at www.pittsburghglasscenter.org or by calling 412-365-2145.

About Pittsburgh Filmmakers/Pittsburgh Center for the Arts

Pittsburgh Filmmakers/Pittsburgh Center for the Arts is committed to the artist and the advancement of artistic excellence in visual arts -- specifically film, video, photography, digital media, and fine and creative arts and crafts; the provision of equipment and facilities for artists; the conduct of instructional programs; and the stimulation of public understanding and awareness through exhibitions, demonstrations, and sales. http://www.pghfilmmakers.org/ and http://www.pittsburgharts.org/

SOURCE Pittsburgh Glass Center