Pam Panchak, Post-Gazette Norman Brown's "857 Whiteside Road" is part of the "Art for August" exhibit running through Friday at 707 Penn Gallery, Downtown. Click photo for larger image.

Art for August" won't be mistaken for a seasonal reference in the city where the acclaimed late playwright August Wilson grew up, and fans especially have reason to stop by this very fine tribute exhibition by 13 local visual artists at 707 Penn Avenue Gallery, Downtown.

Originating from the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and curated by Janera Solomon, the exhibition features art inspired by Wilson's plays and life.

The small but reflective exhibition features art as varied as the responses to and the decades represented by Wilson's works.

Included, for example, are Vanessa German's forceful mixed media sculpture, "1839 Wylie Avenue"; Norman Brown's magical "857 Whiteside Road," the most elegant use of drywall I've seen; Tina Brewer's color- and movement-emblazoned fiber, "Tributaries of Genius"; Curtis Cureton's emotionally charged, wood-burned "Legacy"; and Saihou Njie's graphically bold watercolor marker, "People Finder."

Also exhibiting are Leslie Ansley, Elizabeth Asche Douglas, Kyle Holbrook, Chris Ivey, Mary Martin, Kenneth Neely, Monique Kollman Luck and Sarah Williams.

A nice touch is a free full-color catalog that includes each artist.

There is promise here for an expanded sequel, perhaps coinciding, as did this show, with the annual performance of Wilson vignettes. It's evident that these artists have much to say and a lot of rich material to draw upon.

Through Friday. Gallery hours are noon to 8 p.m. through Thursday and noon to 10 p.m. Friday. Admission is free; 412-456-6666.