Patch Picks: Art Swissvale Style at Cafe Dez Artz

I’ve had the privilege of attending more than one exhibit opening at Swissvale’s best-kept secret, the fabulous Cafe Dez Artz. And if you’re familiar with gallery events elsewhere - chic dresses and cheese cubes, mostly - you may be in for a surprise this Sunday.

A Cafe Dez Artsz opening is fine art Swissvale style. Gather around the table, fill up a plate of food and chat with artist and neighbors alike. Picture having people over for the game - only replace the game with some brilliant artwork.

This weekend, for example, the Cafe will be opening a new show by Judy Dickson, who has previously had work in mosaic and clay - including several breathtaking guitars covered in tiny tiles - on display. This time, though, she’ll be debuting her recent works in watercolor.

“Judy is just a wonderful, gifted artist,” Cafe Dez Artz owner Dave Green said. “Whatever media she works in, it’s accomplished, it’s professional, it’s clean. I’m very anxious to see this myself.”

Having previously displayed her work, Green has developed a relationship with Dickson and can speak personally to her process and dedication.

“When she was doing clay, she did all of her tiles from scratch; she would make them, mold them, glaze them, color them,” he said. As for her work in watercolor, “I would call them stylized, realistic works. They’re calming, peaceful. Sort of natural settings.”

It isn’t hard to spot Green at one of the openings - he’ll be a very visible presence, usually producing plate after plate of excellent food, free for the taking. While the menu for this Sunday isn’t firm, he hints at some Asian pasta salads and perhaps a black bean dish.

“I suspect that because of the heat, we’ll be all vegetarian this time. And there will be wine!”

Green’s equal passions for art and his community have given birth to the regular art events at Cafe Dez Artz - much to Swissvale’s benefit. And, most importantly, these shows are something he truly enjoys.

“I enjoy meeting new people who come in for the specific artists, I enjoy exposing new artwork, and just bringing this to the community. We’re trying to do a diversity of styles - each show we do is something different. Right now, we have photographs, Judy’s will be watercolors, and I don’t know what the next artist will be bringing in. Each month, it’s different. A completely different view of the art world in a little capsule here.”

The free exhibition will run from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. this Sunday at