stiff competition.

From the Planned Parenthood Western Pennsylvania Action Fund:

2007 is Pittsburgh’s year of glass. But at Planned Parenthood Western Pennsylvania Action Fund, it’s the year of glass undies.

A pair of glass panties made by glass artist Donna Powers will be a featured art item in the not-for-profit’s annual fundraiser. The event, titled “Panty Palooza: Declare the Unmentionable” will feature artists, crafters and fashion designers displaying their version of politicized panties from 6 to 9 p.m. at the New Hazlett Theater on Thursday, June 14. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.

In addition to glass panties, art collectors can find renditions of panties such as “Communist Panty” by local artist Kathy Newman, as well as the requisite bounty of panties covered in slogans such as “Good sex…. Great Parent?” and “I’m the Decider” for the oft-cited comment by President Bush.

The judge for this year’s competition will be Tom Sokolowski, Executive Director of the Andy Warhol museum. Attendees will also be able to vote on a “People’s Choice” award and can bid on their favorite art items to take home. Those who don’t win the glass panties can take home items from the luxury silent auction.

Planned Parenthood Western Pennsylvania Action Fund is no stranger to edgy design projects that incorporate the spunky, and sometimes biting, work of emerging artists. The inaugural “Stiff Competition: Where Safe Sex Meets Pop Art” in 1999 raised eyebrows and inspired giggles with its condom package design contest. Over the years, this design contest has received national attention with its irreverent winners including a Rosie the Riveter, “We can do it, if you use it” condom and stadium-inspired themes for the sports-crazed Pittsburgh.

But the overall goal of these annual events is to raise awareness and support of safe and available reproductive health care and education.

Proceeds from the evening will support activities of PPWPAF including grassroots organizing and education, and lobbying efforts on behalf of reproductive health care and education. Established in 1992, PPWPAF engages in educational and electoral activity including issues related to education, grassroots organizing, public opinion research, lobbying, and independent expenditure campaigns.

For more information about Panty Palooza, go to www.stiffcompetition.org or contact Erika Fricke (412-434-8957, ext 119).