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Transformer Station 1460 W.29^th Street, Cleveland, www.transformerstation.org   “Inaugural Exhibition.”  Opening 12-9pm Friday and Saturday 12-5pm Sunday. Fred and Laura Ruth Bidwell unveil their transformation of an early-twentieth-century relic, an electrical substation that powered Detroit Avenue streetcars.  Now a museum of contemporary photography and photo-based art, Transformer Station provides a west side presence for the Cleveland Museum of Art, which splits programming duties with the Bidwells. The couple curates from their personal art collection for “Light of Day,” one of two exhibitions which inaugurate the building.  “Some of these pieces have been in storage, and so they’re now seeing the light of day for the first time,” Fred Bidwell says. “I think it’s a good overview of what’s happening in contemporary photo-based art, but at the same time it’s our personal choice. In fact, although there are some pieces here by some very famous artists, there’s work here by very young artists who are just becoming known. I think all of these pieces, in their own way, are beautiful objects, and you really don’t need to know a thing about art, a thing about photography, to just look, and enjoy.” The second exhibition, “Bridging Cleveland,” displays a commissioned homage to Cuyahoga River bridges by Vaughn Wascovich, a former Ohioan now teaching in Texas.  Wascovich began his process by handcrafting panoramic pinhole cameras—inscrutable machines with a lifespan of a single exposure and an indeterminate scope.

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Cleveland Museum of Art, 11150 East Blvd, Cleveland, 216.421.7350, www.clevelandart.org “MIX at CMA: Interface.”  Opening 5-9pm. Art + technology collide in this interactive evening event. And, if you’ve never been to one of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s MIX @ CMA events, you’re in for a treat.  The details: Bring your iPad to interface with the CMA like never before in our innovative, state-of-the-art Gallery One. Enjoy music, cocktails, and cutting-edge technology. Plus explore Picasso’s mysterious Blue Period masterwork La Vie (Life) in the new Focus Gallery and get the chance to uncover the mysteries of your own future.  Cleveland Public Library will also be in attendance showing off their cool 3D printers and related software from the TechCentral Department at the Library.  Advance tickets $8; $10 day of event. Members FREE. Reservations strongly recommended. Call (216) 421-7350 or go online.

Waterloo Arts, 15605 Waterloo Rd., Cleveland, 216.692.9500 artscollinwood.org   “Pretty Vacant and the Beauty of Decay: Works of Dana Depew, Ron Copeland, Joe Carl Close, Greg Ruffing and Dave Desimone.”  Opening Reception 6pm. (Image Above). Rust Belt Chic is on display in Arts Collinwood’s next exhibition: Pretty Vacant.  Check it: The rustbelt region is full of reminders of a more prosperous past. A significant loss of manufacturing jobs, coupled with massive population decline, eroding infrastructure and political ineffectiveness has left the region ravaged and depressed. Cleveland and cities like Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Youngstown, Gary, Detroit and Flint have all experienced the “shrinking city” phenomenon with mixed results.  This phenomenon has left the region vacant. Empty residential and commercial space has left neighborhoods like Collinwood exposed and vulnerable to a myriad of social and economic hardships. However, with this vacancy comes an opportunity to start anew, to rebuild and begin again.

Loren Naji Studio Gallery 2138 W. 25^th Street, Cleveland www.lorennaji.com “Then and Now Self Portraits.”  Opening 6-Midnight.  What a great roster of 16 artists for this cool show! There will be 2 bands performing, of course my famous "Beer Pit", wine, food and a great crowd of people at this great art party!!!!  As always EASY PARKING in the huge lot directly across from the gallery.

Spaces, 2220 Superior Viaduct, Cleveland 216.621.2314 www.spacesgallery.org  “Jimmy Kuehnle and Jon Rubinwith Filipe Castelblanco.” Join us for food & drink, and great art at the opening reception for SPACES' latest public projects including Jon Rubin and Filipe Castelblanco's "The Foreigner;" artist-in-residence Jimmy Kuehnle's mobile project; and the latest audio and video art in The Vault.