THE TOWN CENTER GALLERY holds a reception for its new show on Nov. 21 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Good Neighbor Bakery, 2660 Industrial Parkway, Santa Maria. The Artists Holiday Art and Gift Sale features handmade artistic gifts. Info: 937-2075.
THE LOMPOC VALLEY ART ASSOCIATION presents the art of Betsee Talavera through Nov. 23 at the Cypress Gallery, 119 East Cypress Ave., Lompoc. Info: 737-1129.
THE LOMPOC VALLEY ARTS COUNCIL presents its annual “Best of the Best” art exhibition through Nov. 29 at the Grossman Gallery, Lompoc Library, 510 E North Ave., Lompoc. Info: 736-3477.
ALLAN HANCOCK COLLEGE presents phase two of the Indomitable Spirits Project: “Proud Flesh,” an exhibit created by people recovering from mental illness, through Dec. 15 in the Ann Foxworthy Gallery and the Student Center Gallery at Allan Hancock College, 800 S. College, Santa Maria. Info: 922-6966, Ext. 3465 or Ext. 3252.
MARILYN DOVER BENSON exhibits her paintings through December at Community West Bank, South Miller, Santa Maria. Info: 937-8108 or donaldbenson2@mac.com.
THE LOMPOC MUSEUM presents the exhibit Lompoc Abstractions featuring the art of Elizabeth Monks Hack through Jan. 8 at the museum, 200 South H St., Lompoc. Info: 736-3888.
THE SANTA BARBARA COUNTY ARTS COMMISSION presents “The Essential Worker,” featuring pictures by 10 area photographers, Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Feb. 13 at the Betteravia Government Center, 511 E Lakeside, Santa Maria. Info: 568-3994.
DAVID RYAN GALLERY features the works of artists from around the world. An art-and-wine party featuring the current artist and/or information on the art is every first Friday of the month from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The gallery is located at 205 E. Clark Ave., Orcutt. Info: 937-1058 or www.davidryangallery.com.
ALLAN HANCOCK COLLEGE ART CLASSES include mixed media, painting, and drawing. Open to ages 18 and up, any time throughout the semester. Info: 922-6966, Ext. 3209.
WORTH THE DRIVE
THE WILDLING ART MUSEUM presents the Santa Ynez Valley Artists’ Studio Tour on Nov. 22 and 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. around Santa Ynez Valley. A reception is Nov. 22 from 4 to 6 p.m. Cost is $25 per person, $40 per couple. Info: 688-1082.
THE SANTA BARBARA CONTEMPORARY ARTS FORUM presents an opening reception for “Anthology: Call for Entries g‰-̉” and “Shrine” by Richard Aber on Nov. 22 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Contemporary Arts Forum, 653 Paseo Nuevo, Santa Barbara. Info: 966-5373, Ext. 104.
THE SAN LUIS OBISPO ARTS CENTER presents Antarctica: A Global Warning and Afghan Perspectives in the Gray Wing through Nov. 23 at the Arts Center, 1010 Broad St., SLO. The Central Coast Watercolor Society presents artist Laure F. Carlisle demonstrating watercolor techniques on Nov. 25 at 7 p.m. in the Nybak Wing of the Art Center. Info: 543-8562 or www.sloartcenter.org.
THE CAL POLY STUDENT WHEELCHAIR FOUNDATION presents an art show fundraiser titled Viva el Peru through Nov. 23 at the San Luis Obispo Art Center, SLO. Info: 661-202-5930 or tbrewer@calpoly.edu.
THE GALLERY AT THE NETWORK presents the glass art of Richard Mortensen through Nov. 27. The gallery is located at 778 Higuera St., suite B, SLO. Info: 788-0886 or www.thegalleryatthenetwork.com.
MOROVINO WINERY presents the art of Burch Ward through November in the winery’s tasting room, 550 1st St., Avila Beach. Info: 627-1443.
BROOKS INSTITUTE presents the photographs of Horace Bristol and Greg Voight through Dec. 1 at the Institute’s Gallery 27, 27 East Cota St., Santa Barbara. Info: 966-3888 or www.brooks.edu.
THE CUESTA COLLEGE ART GALLERY presents the exhibit Mushroomville: Leigh Barbier, Works on Paper in the gallery through Dec. 12 at Cuesta College, Highway 1, SLO. Info: Cuesta College.
THE C GALLERY presents a mother-and-daughters art show titled Flesh and Blood and Clay, featuring ceramics by Nancy Thompson, drawing and painting by Holly Hust, and sculpture by Jessica Hust through Dec. 12 at the C Gallery, 466 Bell St., Los Alamos. Info: 344-3807 or www.thecgallery.com.
THE SANTA BARBARA MUSEUM OF ART presents the exhibit Of Life and Loss: The Polish Photographs of Roman Vishniac and Jeffrey Gusky through Dec. 28. The exhibition Ten: Gifts of SBMA Photofutures shows through Dec. 21 at the museum. The museum is located at 1130 State St., Santa Barbara. Info: 963-4364.
THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER SANTA BARBARA presents The Holocaust Archive Revealed and Portraits of Survival running through Dec. 28 at the Family Jewish Community Center, 524 Chapala St., Santa Barbara. Info: 957-1115 or www.jewishsantabarbara.org.
CAL POLY presents Mars Within Reach by Dr. John Keller, Marty Quinn, and NASA through Jan. 12 in the Robert E. Kennedy Library, Learning Commons second floor, Cal Poly, SLO. Info: Info: Cal Poly.
UC SANTA BARBARA’S University Art Museum presents the art of Shana Lutker, Anna Sew Hoy, and Brenna Youngblood through March 1 in the University Art Gallery, UCSB, Santa Barbara. Info: 893-2951 or www.uam.ucsb.edu.
THE SALISBURY FINE ART GALLERY presents a new series of paintings by Marsha Connell called “Pond in Bloom” at the gallery, 6985 Ontario Road, Avila Beach. Info: 471-3110.
SANTA BARBARA ARTS AND CRAFTS SHOW seeks new artists in Santa Barbara County to join its ranks, displaying art every Sunday along Cabrillo Boulevard, Santa Barbara. It’s the only continuous, non-juried arts festival that caters to every medium, as long as it’s original art. Info: 897-1982 or www.sbaacs.com.
CARRIED AWAY ART offers art classes throughout the week on various media, including ceramics, drawing, painting, and collage. The gallery is located at 1200 E. Grande Ave., Arroyo Grande. Info: 481-4364.
ART AFTER DARK is the art walk in San Luis Obispo featuring local and guest artists’ receptions in open galleries, demonstrations, and conversations over glasses of wine on the first Friday of every month. Find the monthly event guides at www.sloartscouncil.org. Info: 544-9251.
This article appears in Nov 20-27, 2008.