One of the things that makes a trip to the Chelsea district of New York City fun and enriching is popping in and out of one storefront gallery after another.

Curator Adam Welch likens the variety of artwork to what one would see during a visit to the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, with its many gallery spaces and diversity of exhibitions.

"The range is all across the spectrum," Welch says. And, as in Chelsea, a visitor can explore a lot of art within a small area, choosing to move on quickly or to linger.

Pride of place is accorded Tina Williams Brewer, who will be honored with the center's second Lifetime Achievement Award next month. "Guided by the Ancestors" is exhibition title, artist statement and subject matter for this nationally applauded Pittsburgh artist whose abstract, expressive story quilts commemorate aspects of African-American history. Among many handsome mixed-media pieces exhibited are several on loan from private museum collections, while others incorporate pages from The Pittsburgh Courier, inspired by the newspaper's centennial.

Upstairs, two thoughtfully conceived and impeccably completed installations are a study in contrasts.

"In Between Presence and Absence" by Sun-Young Kang, who had memorable work in last year's Biennial, is a graceful meditative space created not for typically sought disassociation but for focus. Here, hundreds of handmade paper forms have been cast from the interiors of vessels, so that "the presence of their emptiness," rather than of the objects themselves, lingers. Their silent rows within a darkened cloistered gallery invite contemplation of persons and experiences physically removed but remnant in memory.

The bright and open "Domestic Landscapes" by Aasta Deth, the lines of which zing across the floor and up walls, is expansive as the highways and pathways traversed physically and mentally within a lifetime. Or perhaps it suggests a footprint constrained by the expectations of defined roles.

Two other exhibitions afford a look at work by influential Pittsburgh artists who investigated mid-20th century aesthetic edges.

"Revisiting the Work of Henry B." offers younger generations the opportunity to see a broad representation of abstract sculpture by the late Henry Bursztynowicz, Center 1960 Artist of the Year.

In an adjacent gallery, paintings and sculpture by the late W. Glen Davis, a co-founder of Group A and purported student of Bursztynowicz, is shown in "Now From Then."

Two galleries hold contemporary works that reflect 21st-century media and ideas.

In the grand effort "From Out of This Planet Earth," Christopher Kardambikis appropriates former mythologies to create one anew, arising from a "Cosmic Hermaphrodite." While presented somewhat tongue-in-cheek, cosmological creation is a sublime endeavor -- whether "Star Wars" or Matthew Barney -- and one that invites continuing attention to its development.

More lighthearted are the pieces in "New in the Video Room -- Animated Shorts: Diane Christiansen, Martyna Matusiak, and Drew Pavelchak," with the latter's "Thing Flings: Part I" being particularly smile-ignitingly mischievous (the whole program is less than nine minutes).

Finally, "SALIGIA: A Seven Deadly Sins Exhibition, Presented by Pittsburgh Society of Artists," is a mixture with several accomplished works, juried by Steve Mendelson. Theme exhibitions are difficult to pull off, working best when they reflect thoughtful curatorial intent; otherwise they risk resemblance to high school art class assignments.

As Welch pointed out, there is something for everyone in this round of exhibitions, and their greatest combined achievement may be the conversations inspired as visitors compare notes.

Exhibitions continue through June 21 except PSA, Henry B. and Davis, which continue through Aug. 30, at 6300 Fifth Ave., Shadyside. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5 suggested donation. Artist talks will be given at 7 p.m. June 4 by Deth and June 18 by Kardambikis. "Heritage: Gifts of a Stolen People," a panel beginning at 6 p.m. tomorrow held in conjunction with Brewer's exhibition, will explore African-American history. For information, call 412-361-0873 or visit www.pittsburgharts.org.

The Thomas Merton Center presented 2009 New Person Awards last week to Emory Biko, artist and collector of African-American cultural objects; Kimberly Ellis, dancer/choreographer and poet; Paradise Gray, photographer and community activist; and Jasiri X, hip hop artist and videographer. The awards honor individuals and groups in the greater Pittsburgh community who work for positive change. These awardees were cited for "struggling daily for peace and justice within the media and arts communities." Congratulations, all.