Best Photography Galleries In Pittsburgh

If a photo is worth a thousand words, how many words would fill the space of one of Pittsburgh's premiere photography galleries? Take a break from your traditional weekend haunts, and dive into the world of art appreciation straight through the artists' lens at one of Pittsburgh's finest exhibits -- or visit them every one. All are close to home and offer inspiring views of this expressive form of visual communication.

Silver Eye Center for Photography
1015 E Carson St
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
(412) 431-1810
silvereye.org

Price: Free. Advance registration may be required for some events.
Hours: Tues to Sat – 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Click here for a calendar of events.

Silver Eye Center for Photography boasts four yearly exhibitions in its main gallery, with additional exhibitions in its New Works galleries. Exhibitions are enhanced by lectures, panel discussions, gallery tours and more. Walk in to take part in a video screening or learn how you can hone your own skills by participating in field shoots with a member of Silver Eye's team. Select students' works are also showcased. See what the emerging creative pioneers are capturing these days.

Wood Street Galleries
602 Wood St
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 471-5605
woodstreetgalleries.org

Price: Free. Advance registration may be required for some events.
Hours: Wed and Thurs – 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Fri and Sat – 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sun - 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (free street parking on Sundays)
Click here for a calendar of events.

Wood Street Galleries, sister to SPACE Gallery, features multidisciplinary artists from all over the world. This includes artists who are equally adept in mixed media, photography and sculpture. WST specializes in technology-based art and many of the gallery's photography exhibits feature graphically-enhanced images. Videos, installations and photographs change with each exhibition so visit the website or call for more details.

Related: Pittsburgh Viewfinder: Best Spots For Photography Buffs

Melwood Photography Gallery
477 Melwood Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 681-5449
pittsburgharts.org/melwood-screening-room

Price: Free
Hours: Tues to Fri 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sat and Sun - Open only for special events, hours vary

Melwood Photography Gallery, a subsidiary of the Pittsburgh Filmmakers Center for the Arts, showcases select pieces ranging from student's works to photographers' and videographers' creations. Established in 1996, exhibits change monthly and are constantly evolving. Call for more information or to schedule a viewing in Melwood's Screening Room to see its various exhibitions. May is a particularly interesting month, so make sure you take the time to visit this space before these installations are gone forever.

Photo Antiquities
531 E Ohio St
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
(412) 231-7881
photoantiquities.org

Price: Adults - $10, Students and seniors - $8, Children up to 12 and museum members - Free.
Hours: Mon, Wed to Sat – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Click here for a calendar of events.

Photo Antiquities is a Victorian-styled space dedicated to the preservation and presentation of historic photographs. If you're not a history buff, this might not be the gallery for you. No contemporary work is on display. The gallery's ever-changing exhibits showcase African American, Civil War, Native American and Allegheny/Pittsburgh city images, among others. The collection also showcases images, cameras and accessories from the earliest days of photography.

August Wilson Center for African American Culture
980 Liberty Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 258-2700
augustwilsoncenter.org

Price: Adults - $8, Students and seniors - $4, Children - $3, Members – Free
Hours: Tues to Sat – 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., additional hours on special performances
Click here for a calendar of events.

August Wilson Center for African American Culture, named after Pulitzer-Prize and Tony Award-winning Pittsburgher August Wilson, features multiple exhibition galleries which host a bevy of photography pieces. The center also boasts remarkable theater, dance, music, history and literature demonstrations. Visit this historically rich and exquisitely-designed venue right in the heart of the Cultural District to experience all of the hands-on learning, classes and demonstrations it offers. Exhibits change monthly. Call or visit the site for details.

Related: Best Museums In Pittsburgh

Nikki Tiani-Moroney is a full time mum of two boys, wife of a professional poker player/photographer/amateur pencil-sharpening competitor and writer from Pittsburgh, PA. When she isn't studiously neglecting her housework in favor of a good book, she's out simultaneously fighting crime and picking up sidewalk litter while savoring an occasional cigarette. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.