Modernformations Gallery

This is probably my favorite gallery stop on the Garfield stretch of Penn Ave. I’ve enjoyed many a music performance there, and the art selections are generally well curated. There’s a consistent level of quality that you just don’t find at most of the other galleries in the neighborhood. Plus, on Unblurred gallery crawl nights, they generally have the heaviest pours on free wine. And it’s not even from a box! Huzzah!

Modern Formations is an art gallery and performance space located in the heart of Garfield. Although it doesn’t host as many shows as it used to, I’ve found that its concerts are among the most interesting in the city, typically attracting bands that have a strong avant-​garde or performative dimension. The space itself is very intimate – it can maybe hold 100 people or so – and it provides a great home for the local arts scene.
If I still lived in the city, I would make a special point of stopping here for any gallery crawl, reading, or special event.

Modernformations is consistently one of the best galleries along the monthly Unblurred gallery crawl in Garfield. (If you’re unfamiliar with the event, it’s a gallery crawl held on the first Friday of each month, stretching along Penn Avenue between Lawrenceville and East Liberty. Modernformations is either at the starting or finishing end of your crawl, closest to the Lawrenceville end of Penn Ave.)
We always save this as our last stop, not just because we live closest to the other end, but because we like to save the best gallery for last. They always seem to have interesting and good art — it’s not always something that I particularly ‘like,’ but it’s always something quality. We particularly enjoy the juried shows they host occasionally, where you can see a big variety of artwork from ‘real’ people, some of whom are friends.
Also, if you go to the Unblurred event, Modernformations typically has the best spread. (One of the draws of this gallery crawl is the free snacks and beer or wine along the path.) They have a nice selection of veggies and cheese and dips. They also have *real* bottles of wine (not just a box of random rosé), and a beer selection, and I absolutely adore the girl in the baseball cap who has been bartending the past few months. Tip her well! :)