In Manhattan, Friday, May 17, 6 pm 

Presentation and opening reception, 2013 Annual Student Scholarship Competition. Society of Illustrators, 128 East 63^rd Street, NY. NY. Information. Free.

Opening reception/party, 6:30-9 pm: Alvaro Montagna | Life After Life. Gallery Bar, 120 Orchard Street, NY, NY. Information. RSVP appreciated.

In Long Island City, Saturday May 18 & Sunday May 19

Open Studios, as part of LIC Arts Open Festival, including exhibitions, open studios, and performances, whose events and activities, according to the press release, “provide exposure for and outreach to the vibrant population in Long Island City, well known as the largest and most diverse artist community in New York City.” Information.

In Brooklyn Exhibition: Luba Lukova | Recent Prints, at the Clocktower. 29-27 41st Avenue, Long Island City, NY. Information.

In Bridgehamption, Saturday May 18

Opening reception, 5-9 pm: The Big Show, featuring paintings by 55 artists, each invited to create three new works sized at 8-by-10 inches. Silas Marder Gallery, 120 Snake Hollow Road, Bridgehampton, NY. Information.

Above: An opening party at Silas Marder Gallery, Bridgehampton, NY.

In Pittsburgh, Saturday May 18 & Sunday May 19

PGH Photo Fair at Unsmoke Systems Artspace
PGH Photo Fair founder Evan Mirapaul, a Pittsburgh-based photography collector, described this year’s event as growing in many key ways. “Building on the successes of our first year, we haven’t just doubled our numbers of exhibitors,” said Mirapaul. “The scope of galleries we will be hosting has expanded as well.” 

Returning this year are Gitterman Gallery and L. Parker Stephenson, both specializing in classic and mid-century work. But the time line has expanded in both directions. New, and with a very strong representation of the best in contemporary photography, are Higher Pictures and Sasha Wolf Gallery. In nineteenth-century works the excellent program of Gary Edwards Gallery is expected from the DC area as well as Winter Works on Paper, a trailblazer in showing the best in vernacular photography. Rounding out the roster with books, limited edition prints and magazines are newcomers from Blind Spot, and returning exhibitors Aperture Foundation and Spaces Corners, all with compelling programs of contemporary work. In addition, there will be a pop-up reading room of 100 photographic books by 10×10 American Photobooks, a multi-platform series of photobook events co-sponsored by the International Center of Photography Library, Tokyo Institute of Photography and the Photobook Facebook Group.

PGH Photo Fair, Information. At Unsmoke Systems Artspace, 1137 Braddock Avenue, Braddock, PA. Free and open to the public. 

Beginning in the mid-1950s, the School of Visual Arts launched a marketing campaign to attract new students. What better place, thought SVA’s Founder and Chair, Silas H. Rhodes, than on the subway platforms? Legendary figures, all practicing professionals on the faculty, created a series of iconic posters, among them Ivan Chermayeff, Milton Glaser, George Tscherny and Robert Weaver. Millions of commuters, including future SVA students, continue to enjoy the ongoing program of art by some of the most renowned designers and illustrators of our time. The latest poster, above, is by George Tscherny, who taught the first course in graphic design at SVA in the mid-1950s and designed the current logo, which he unveiled in 1996. More.

Just in from the Rema Hort Mann Foundation: This event has been cancelled. Please stay tuned for an update.
Monday, May 19 The Rema Hort Mann Foundation Benefit Art Auction, 6:30-9:30: Girls Just Want to Have Funds. The Hole, 312 Bowery, at Bleecker Street, NY, NY.$20 donation/Free bar and hors d’oeuvres. Information.