I guess you could call this a minimalist approach. Garfield Artworks is essentially a big white room used to display art on its four walls or a venue for bands playing on a stage at the far end. There are a few chairs alone the walls and that's about it.
I came here the other night to see a band. The acoustics aren't the greatest, but the small venue setting seemed to work. Most events are BYOB so keep that in mind.
I checked out a lot of the posters for upcoming shows and events and most seem to be a little left of the norm, which is cool and what they seem to be going for. Everyone comments on the absurdity of the bathroom and rightfully so. It is a complete dungeon.
As for people saying it is in a sketchy area of town, I just gotta say "M is for melodrama". Penn Avenue is perfectly safe as long as you aren't stumbling drunk and/or being a complete asshole.