By Kurt Shaw

Published: Wednesday, November 7, 2012, 8:55 p.m.
Updated: Wednesday, November 7, 2012

“Bridge 12,” the Society for Contemporary Craft's 12th biennial “Bridge Exhibition Series,” opens this weekend with a free public reception from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, and this time, as visitors will see, the three artists involved — Melissa Cameron, Kevin Snipes and Betty Vera — have really thought outside the box in terms of traditional craft media.

We're talking laser-cutting technology and computer-aided weaving being just a few of the techniques employed to create objects of truly transformational beauty.

There are tapestries made to look like minutely detailed photographs of chain-link fences and a textile-mill floor; and intricately cut jewelry pieces made from thrift-store finds, among other wonders of technologically transformed art.

This weekend's opening will include two artist workshops with Vera in the society's Studio.

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Vera leads fiber artists of all skill levels with an emphasis on spontaneity and creative play (Cost: $100, plus materials fee of $25); and from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, she will share tactile samples of her work and talk about her creative process (Cost: $20).

There will be a gallery talk with Vera from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday titled “From Hand to Computer-Assisted Loom: Following the Thread.” Suggested donation is $5. These educational programs are co-sponsored with the Fiberarts Guild of Pittsburgh. For more information or to register, call the Studio at 412-261-7003, ext. 25.

“Bridge 12” will remain on display through March 30. Society for Contemporary Craft is at 2100 Smallman St., Strip District, and is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.

Admission is free.

Details: 412-261-7003 or www.contemporarycraft.org

— Kurt Shaw

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