MARILYN DOVER BENSON presents her art in a one-woman show through Jan. 31 at the Grossman Gallery, Lompoc. Info: 937-8108.
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.
THE SANTA MARIA PUBLIC LIBRARY presents the art exhibit, A Window into Argentine Palettes, featuring the works of 11 Argentine artists through Feb. 27 at the Shepard Hall, Santa Maria Public Library, 421 McClelland St., Santa Maria. Info: 925-0951, Ext. 117.
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
CAL POLY hosts the student chapter of the Wheelchair Foundation’s second viewing of the art show Viva el Peru, featuring photographs of the group’s trip to Peru. See it through Jan. 18 in the Cal Poly Performing Arts Center, Cal Poly, SLO. Info: Cal Poly.
THE C GALLERY currently features a “Director’s Favorites” exhibit featuring the art of Dara Mark, Albert McCurdy, Alissa Massey, and Karina Puente through Jan. 16 at the gallery, 466 Bell St., Los Alamos. “Flying and Dancing” features the art of Stephanie Bast and Albert McCurdy Jan. 17 through Feb. 26 with an opening reception on Jan. 17 from noon to 2 p.m. at the gallery, 466 Bell St., Los Alamos. Info: 344-3807 or thecgallery.com.
THE SANTA BARBARA JEWISH FEDERATION presents “Rita Blitt: Passionate Gestures on Canvas and Film” Jan. 21 through April 17 with an opening reception on Jan. 21 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Bronfman Family Jewish Community Center, Santa Barbara. Info: jewishsantabarbara.org or ritablitt.com.
THE SAN LUIS OBISPO ART CENTER presents an exhibit featuring works completed in the life drawing studio titled Real Life Drawings through Jan. 21. Cutting Edge Fiber Arts and California Contours 2008: New Turned Forms show through Jan. 18 in the Gray Wing, SLO Art Center, 1010 Broad St., SLO. Info: 543-8562 or sloartcenter.org
THE GALLERY AT THE NETWORK presents the glass its Artful Holiday Gift Show through January. The gallery is located at 778 Higuera St., suite B, SLO. Info: 788-0886 or thegalleryatthenetwork.com.
THE SANTA BARBARA MUSEUM OF ART presents the exhibit Picasso on Paper: Drawings and Prints from the Permanent Collection through Feb. The exhibit Of Life and Loss: The Polish Photographs of Roman Vishniac and Jeffrey Gusky shows through March 15. The exhibition Ten: Gifts of SBMA Photofutures shows through April 5 at the museum. The museum is located at 1130 State St., Santa Barbara. Info: 963-4364.
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 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 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 sloartscouncil.org. Info: 544-9251.
This article appears in Jan 15-22, 2009.