The Art Barge -- a floating museum/library/art exhibit/studio -- is being launched in July to tell the story of the Monongahela River, and project organizers are seeking input from community groups and individuals.

They're looking for loans of mementos of the Mon River and towns along it, including poems, letters, books, photographs, pottery and glass. Environmental artist Cindy Snodgrass will coordinate the creation and display of visual arts.

The barge is sponsored by the Monongahela River Recreation Committee, which hopes to increase awareness of the history, economic and recreational potential of the river and of the 65-mile-long Upper Monongahela Water Trail in particular.

The barge will visit Fairmont, W.Va., July 11-12; Rivesville, W.Va, July 13-14; Greensboro, Greene County, July 17-18; Star City, W.Va., July 21-22; Point Marion, Fayette County, July 23-24; Rice's Landing, Greene County, July 25-26; and Morgantown, W.Va., July 31-Aug. 1.

For information, including scheduling updates and a wish list for things such as caulk and plywood, visit www.uppermon.org/artbarge, or call project coordinator Sarah Gerichten at 1-304-293-2941, ext. 2324.

Biennial deadline

The 2005 Pittsburgh Biennial at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts will be held March 18-June 19, and will be co-curated by Laura Domencic and Hilary Shames. Deadline for applications, including 10 to 15 images, is July 16.

The biennial features artists who live within a 150-mile radius of the city. Both curators are artists. Domencic is exhibitions coordinator at the center, and Shames is adjunct professor at the University of Pittsburgh and Carlow College.

For information, contact Domencic at 412-361-0873, ext. 311, or ldomencic@pittsburgharts.org.

Quilt alert

The 21st annual quilt exhibition at the West Overton Museums, the boyhood home of industrialist Henry Clay Frick in Scottsdale, continues through Friday. More than 50 works by regional quilters are exhibited. Free with museum admission ($6, $4 students and seniors, children under 7 free). Information: 724-887-7910.

Steppin' out

Author Bob Regan and photographer Tim Fabian will discuss and sign copies of their new book "The Steps of Pittsburgh: Portrait of a City" at 7 p.m. July 8 at Silver Eye Center for Photography, South Side.

At 8 p.m. they'll lead a hike up some nearby steps to a panoramic view, water and energy bars provided. Admission is $10, members $7, and reservations are recommended. Call 412-431-1810 or visit www.silvereye.org.

Glass center heats up

The Pittsburgh Glass Center, which opened in 2001 in Friendship, plans to light its second furnace in September, doubling its hot shop capacity. The second furnace will be designated exclusively for rental by glass artists.