The variety of expression characteristic of 21st-century visual arts enlivens this season's offerings. From the finery of 17th- to 20th-century drawing and watercolor at The Frick to mass-produced 20th-century objects by a Canadian collective at The Warhol, there's something to feed -- and to broaden -- all tastes.

	2005 Fall Arts Preview
	The exhibition "Luke Swank: Modernist Photographer" will open in November at Carnegie Museum of Art. Among his historic photographs is "Snake Charmer," taken about 1934.

Major exhibitions bring historic photography by Luke Swank and The Pittsburgh Photographic Library to the Carnegie and new ways of thinking about books and communication to Mattress Factory.

Some of the most promising exhibitions are at smaller venues, including contemporary work by African American artists at the University Gallery, Pitt, Artist Image Resource and the Society for Contemporary Craft. The environment is the focus at the Three Rivers Arts Festival Gallery, Carnegie Mellon University and Youngstown State University.

Galas promise sparkle and a good time along with dazzling art at the Pittsburgh Glass Center and the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts.

Dwindling outdoor events signal summer's end, but there's still A Fair in the Park, Mellon Park, tomorrow through Sunday, and CAPA students will replicate masterworks in chalk on Downtown sidewalks Sept. 28 (rain date Sept. 29).

Following are some of the highlights of this energetic and provocative season. Watch future issues of the PG for developing news.

CARNEGIE MUSEUM OF ART

Photography shines in "Luke Swank: Modernist Photographer" and "Witness to the Fifties: The Pittsburgh Photographic Library," both opening Nov. 5 and continuing through Feb. 5 and Feb. 26, respectively. "Frank Lloyd Wright: Renewing the Legacy" visits two Wright buildings that are being supplemented with projects by two visionary contemporary women architects, Oct. 1-Jan. 15. Silver glows in "Tarnished: The Decline of Family Formality" from Nov. 12 to May 14. The third installment of "Mixed Doubles," featuring Nam June Paik and Omer Fast, runs through Oct. 9 when a new pair of video works replace them (through Jan. 26). The 28th annual Decorative Arts Symposium will be held Oct. 17 and address "The Gilded Age: Newport and Its Mansions" ($25, lecture and luncheon $50, registration required by Oct. 11). (Oakland; 412-622-3131)

THE ANDY WARHOL MUSEUM

Opening Oct. 8 (through Dec. 31) is "General Idea Editions," organized by the Blackwood Gallery at the University of Toronto, Mississauga, and comprising more than 200 mass-produced objects by the Canadian-based art collective General Idea, pioneers of conceptual and media-based practices. Additional works selected by the group's surviving member AA Bronson and John Smith of the Warhol, including two major installation works, supplement the show. Bronson will present "AA Bronson*Healer" and conduct one-on-one healing sessions prior to the exhibition opening (see www.aabronson.com). (North Shore; 412-238-8300)

THE FRICK ART MUSEUM

"To Observe and Imagine: British Drawings and Watercolors from the Morgan Library, 1600-1900," comprising 100 works, opens from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 22 ($20, $15 members, reservations recommended) and continues through Dec. 31. Among related events are a lecture, "Paper, Pen and Brush: Thinking on Paper," by David Wilkins, University of Pittsburgh professor emeritus, at noon Oct. 6 (free). (Point Breeze; 412-371-0600)

MATTRESS FACTORY

The major fall exhibition, "Messages and Communications," new work by six artists exploring how we communicate, opens from 1 to 5 p.m. Oct. 2 (through April 2). RADical Weekend offers free admission from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 8 with tours and handmade book projects. From 6 to 11 p.m. Oct. 30 a "Media Swap Meet!" co-sponsored by "Projet MOBILIVRE-BOOKMOBILE Project" will include a zine exhibition, tours of the bookmobile and artist talk, readings in the garden, music, screenings and more (free). "MF/fm: (secret) Messages and (cryptic) Communications, "an evening of transmission arts and numbers stations," begins at 7 p.m. Dec. 3. It includes an interactive sound performance with free103point9 artists neuroTransmitter and Tom Roe and local sound artists, and a live performance via shortwave radio from London by Conet Project/Irdial-Discs founder Akin Fernandez that explores methods of intelligence agencies. The current "Gestures" continues through Oct. 2 and its new incarnation arrives Nov. 12 and continues into 2006. (North Side; 412-231-3169)

PITTSBURGH FILMMAKERS

"From Allegheny to Woolslair: Documenting Pittsburgh's Public Elementary Schools," Carrie Schneider's portraits of a fourth-grade classroom in each of Pittsburgh's 52 public schools, and Ian Hurley's Hazelwood documentary project, open with a wine and cheese reception from 7 to 9 p.m. Sept. 17 and close with a cereal and milk reception from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 22. A documentary project on poverty by West Virginia University professor Neil Newfield follows. (North Oakland; 412-681-5449)

PITTSBURGH CENTER FOR THE ARTS

The season begins with Motown via Martha and the Vandellas on Sept. 16 with the First Annual House Party, celebrating the center's 60th anniversary and opening the 2005 Artist of the Year (Clayton Merrell) and 2005 Emerging Artist of the Year (Hilary Shames) exhibitions. The party runs from 7 to 11 p.m. ($25) with a VIP reception beginning at 6 p.m. ($150). At 6:30 p.m. Sept. 29 the artists will give a gallery tour ($10). The exhibitions continue through Nov. 6. The Holiday Sale opens Nov. 18, along with a Group A exhibition "Secrets," and solo exhibitions by Anderson English, Richard Hurst, Jill Larson, Dai Morgan, Ronald Nigro and William Wade. (Shadyside; 412-361-0873 for information or reservations)

SOCIETY FOR CONTEMPORARY CRAFT

"COLOR: Ten African American Artists" continues through Oct 22. Opening from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Nov. 11 is the Elizabeth R. Raphael Founder's Prize biennial exhibition "Transformation 5: Contemporary Works in Found Materials," which continues through March 18. "Biko at 13," at the One Mellon Center Gallery through Oct. 22, is a 13-year retrospective of Emory Biko's works. (Strip District; 412-261-7003)

WOOD STREET GALLERIES

Opening Friday night (5-10 p.m.) is "360: Art in the Round," works emanating from a central core, which continues through Oct. 22. Jennifer McCoy will give an artist talk at 1 p.m. Saturday. In conjunction, "Bus Obscura," a passenger bus converted into a multiple aperture camera obscura by Simon Lee, departs Katz Plaza every 15 minutes between noon and 7:30 p.m. Sept. 30 and Oct. 1. "What Sound Does a Color Make?," guest-curated by Kathleen Forde, investigates synesthetic fusion in contemporary art, Nov. 4-Dec. 31. (Downtown; 412-471-5605)

SPACE

Another Pittsburgh Cultural Trust gallery, SPACE shows "Dogfight: Ride Bold," video by Owen Smith through Sept. 16. "Static-Free" features street art and graffiti-inspired work Sept. 30-Oct. 21, followed by "Small Acts" Nov. 11 to Dec. 31. (Downtown; 412-325-7723)

THREE RIVERS ARTS FESTIVAL GALLERY

"Hidden in Plain Sight/The Forest in the City" opens from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday with a reception and the performance "It's Not Natural!" by the Tom Sarver Puppet Express. The exhibition, organized by Connie and Tom Merriman, comprises suggestions by 20 artists for the development of Hays Woods, located on the bluffs above the Monongahela River between the South Side and Hays and being considered as a site for a casino and horse racing. A related Community Event Day will be held Oct. 8 and the show closes Oct. 21. "By Design," featuring design professionals from a variety of disciplines, opens Nov. 4 and runs through Jan. 13. (Downtown; 412-281-8723)

SILVER EYE CENTER FOR PHOTOGRAPHY

Silver Eye is renovating its building and will be closed until Nov. 30 when it throws open the doors of a new facade to reveal "Fellowship 2005" (through Feb. 4). However, Silver Eye is co-sponsoring an exhibition, "Daguerreian Niche: Works by Contemporary Artists," with The Daguerreian Society at the latter's offices, 3043 West Liberty Ave., Dormont. The opening is 4-6 p.m. Sept. 17 and the exhibition runs through Oct. 15. (South Side; 412-431-1810)

THE PITTSBURGH GLASS CENTER

"Well Hung: Chandeliers Revealed," work created in residence in the Center's studios by five nationally acclaimed glass artists, opens 6-9 p.m. Oct. 7 and continues through Jan. 6. Those who can't wait -- or don't want to miss one of fall's most unique parties -- can get a sneak peek at "Chandeliers" during MELTDOWN 05, a Center benefit auction and fund-raiser, from 7 to 11 p.m. Sept. 24 (Friendship; $175; tickets or information at 412-365-2145, ext. 207).

ARTISTS IMAGE RESOURCE

"African American Artists from the EPI Collection" and "Master Artist/Master Printmaker Project" -- both from the Experimental Printmaking Institute at Lafayette College, in Easton -- open with a reception from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, and continue through Sept. 24. AIR's Annual Benefit Celebration will be held from noon to midnight Oct. 1 ($10). In November, it showcases "West Virginia University Faculty" and in December the "AIR 2005 Resident Projects Exhibition" with Delanie Jenkins, Robert Raczka, Matthew Forrest, Jay Ryan and Matt Daly. (North Side; 412-321-8664)

FE GALLERY

"Four Years Later" opens from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday, and explores effects the events on Sept. 11, 2001, have had. Among those present at the reception will be a representative from "America's Camp," a camp created for children who lost a parent or sibling that day; some of the children's artwork will also be shown (through Oct. 22). "LOST: A reading examining a post-9/11 world, organized by Sherrie Flick, director of the Gist Street Reading Series, will begin at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 14 ($5 suggested donation). (Lawrenceville; 412-860-6028)

REGINA GOUGER MILLER GALLERY

"Animal Nature," contemporary investigations by such provocative artists as Eduardo Kac and Catherine Chalmers, continues through Oct. 2. "Groundworks: Environmental Collaboration in Contemporary Art" opens from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 14 and runs through Dec. 11. A related conference will be held Oct. 15-16. (412-268-3877) Another CMU conference, "(Im)permanence: Cultures In/Out of Time" on the relationship of time to art, will be held Oct. 13-16. The keynote address by novelist and physicist Alan Lightman will be given at 8 p.m. Oct. 15 in Kresge Recital Hall (free). The conference is $25, students $10. (CMU; 412-268-3239)

HUNT INSTITUTE FOR BOTANICAL DOCUMENTATION

"Inspiration and Translation: Botanical and Horticultural Lithographs of Joseph Prestele and Sons" will open Sunday at this CMU facility and continue through Dec. 22. (CMU; 412-268-2434)

UNIVERSITY ART GALLERY

"A SENSE OF PLACE: Recent Work by Six Contemporary African American Artists" opens Oct. 6 at the University of Pittsburgh and continues through Dec. 9. (Pitt; 412-648-2423)

WESTMORELAND MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART.....

"AMERICAN SCENERY: Different Views in Hudson River School Painting," curated by Westmoreland Director/CEO Judith Hansen O'Toole, continues through Oct. 23, as does "Patty Gallagher: The Dreams of Trees." Related events include lectures by O'Toole at 7 tonight and noon Oct. 5 and a talk by Gallagher at 7 p.m. Oct. 13. The annual "Holiday Toy and Train Exhibition" rounds out the year. (221 N. Main St., Greensburg; 724-837-1500)

SOUTHERN ALLEGHENIES MUSEUM OF ART

The "Pennsylvania Watercolor Society 26th International Juried Exhibition" continues through Nov. 6 at Loretto, followed Nov. 18-Feb. 12 by "Balcomb Greene: Abstractionist Against the Tide." (814-472-3920). At Ligonier Valley, "The Lingenfelter Collection of Native American Art" continues through Oct. 23. The "Southwestern Pennsylvania Council for the Arts 10th Annual Juried Art Exhibition" opens at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 5 and continues through Feb. 19. (724-238-6015) "Kevin Suckling: The Endangered Species Series" opens Oct. 14 at Altoona and continues through Jan. 8. (814-946-4464)

PALMER MUSEUM OF ART

"Fantastic Tales: The Photography of Nan Goldin" runs through Dec. 4 at Penn State University, University Park, and "Wos up man? Selections from the Joseph D. and Janet M. Shein Collection of Self-Taught Art" opens Oct. 11 (through Feb. 12). (1-814-865-7672)

THE BUTLER INSTITUTE OF AMERICAN ART

Michael Hardesty's New Installations are up through Oct. 16. Critic Peter Plagens exhibits his paintings at the Trumbull branch through Oct. 2. (Youngstown, Ohio; 330-743-1711)

CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART

The 16th annual Chalk Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 17-18; watch free or participate for $15 or $7.50 (supplies included). Tibetan lamas are creating a Sand Mandala at Cleveland City Hall; the closing ceremony and procession will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 8. "The Arts and Crafts Movement in Europe and America, 1880-1920: Design for the Modern World" opens Oct. 16 (through Jan. 8). Permanent collection galleries are closed during renovation. (Ohio; 216-421-7340)

ARTISTS TO WATCH FOR

Aaronel DeRoy Gruber, whose "Small Sculptures & Recent Photographs" opens from 5 to 7:30 p.m. tomorrow at 707 Penn Gallery, Downtown, where it remains through Oct. 8. The exhibition was curated by Murray Horne, director of Wood Street Galleries. (412-456-2962)

Barry Shields debuts recent paintings from 7 to 9 p.m. tomorrow at Gallery in the Square, Shadyside, continuing through Sept. 30. (412-361-3808)

Ceramist Laura Jean McLaughlin and Outsider artist Mr. Imagination open from 6 to 9 p.m. next Thursday at Digging Pitt Gallery, Lawrenceville, through Oct. 8. (412-605-0450)

Lorraine Vullo and Michael Picarsic III collaborate in "Recrudescence" at Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area's Bost Building, Homestead, opening from 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 23 and continuing through Nov. 31. (412-464-4020)

Thad Kellstadt exhibits paintings in "For the Endless Electric" at 707 Penn Gallery, Downtown, Oct. 14-29. (412-456-2962)

Kirk Mangus and Eva Kwong show ceramics at The Clay Place, Shadyside, Dec. 2-Jan. 25. (412-682-3737)

Mary Culbertson-Stark and Marjorie Shipe exhibit paintings and mixed media works, respectively, at Gallerie Chiz, Shadyside, through Oct. 1. (412-441-6005)

Tim Fabian exhibits photographs from his book "The Steps of Pittsburgh: Portrait of a City" and others at Studio K, Lawrenceville, through Oct, 1. (412-621-4414)

EVENTS/EXHIBITIONS TO WATCH FOR

"Domus Dei -- Domus Ecclesiae: The Saint Vincent Basilica," art objects, architectural drawings and artifacts honoring the 100th anniversary of its consecration, opens from 6:30 to 8:30 tonight in the Saint Vincent Gallery, Saint Vincent College, Latrobe (through Oct. 9). (724-805-2107)

"Birdspace: A Post-Audubon Artists Aviary," an investigation of birds and bird culture by 50 contemporary artists, opens from 6 to 8 p.m. tomorrow at the McDonough Museum of Art, Youngstown State University, Ohio (across the road from The Butler Institute of American Art), and continues through Nov. 4. (330-941-1400)

"Five Plus" -- Judy Barie, Patricia Bellan-Gillen, Michelle Illuminato, Carol Kumata and Kathleen Mulcahy -- opens from 6 to 9 tomorrow at James Gallery, West End, through Oct. 22. (412-922-9800)

The Washington County Historical Society's "Art in the Garden" holds its Artist Reception 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday ($25) and Art in the Garden 2-6 p.m. Sunday ($8). (724-225-6740)

The annual Aliquippa Embraces Art has expanded to the Aliquippa Art, Music, and Festival of Praise, running Sept. 16-18. (724-378-7422)

"The Art of the Park," regional artists interpret aspects of the city parks, at Concept Gallery in cooperation with the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, Sept. 25-Oct. 23. Special patron previews and dinners are $125, to benefit the PPC. (412-682-7275)

The Pittsburgh Society of Sculptors' 2005 Annual Juried Members' Exhibition continues at Spinning Plate Gallery, Friendship, through Sept. 25, then moves to Seton Hill University, Greensburg, Sept. 30-Oct. 27 and the Mark Panza Gallery, Millvale Nov. 5-Dec. 3.