THE SHEPARD HALL GALLERY presents the inaugural exhibit and awards for the National Arts Program for the City of Santa Maria and Santa Maria Valley School Districts Employees and their Families through Aug. 27 at the library’s Shepard Hall, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria. Info: 925-0994, Ext. 117, or dhildinger@ci.santa-maria.ca.us.
GOLD COAST ART AND FRAMES features the works of local artists in various media rotating every three months at 613 E. Main St., Santa Maria. An artists’ reception is Aug. 29 from 2 to 5 p.m. The gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Info: 346-6099 or goldcoastartnframes.com.
THE CYPRESS GALLERY presents “Color and More Color—Eclectic Gourds and Canvas,” featuring the works of Lisa Toth through Aug. 29 at the Cypress Gallery, 119 E. Cypress Ave., Lompoc. Info: 735-7329 or gourddiva@verizon.net. The exhibit “Bits and Pieces” features the paintings of Shirley Wallace Aug. 31 through Sept. 26 at the gallery. An opening reception is Sept. 11 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the gallery, 119 East Cypress, Lompoc. Info: 736-3716.
THE LOMPOC PHOTOGRAPHER’S GUILD presents the exhibition “Caffeinated Captured” through Aug. 31 at the Southside Coffee Company, 105 South H St., Lompoc. Info: 735-4342 or sherriechavezphotography.comcast.net.
COFFEE AND COMPANY features the art of Daniel Huitron through Aug. at the coffee shop’s Lucman Gallery, 245 Town Center West, Santa Maria. Info: 928-6492.
THE BRUSH AND PALETTE ART GROUP presents an art exhibit and sale featuring works by members of the group, including the work of president Marilyn Dover Benson, through August at the Town Center Gallery, 321 Town Center West, suite B-6, Santa Maria. Info: 937-8108 or 349-7303.
THE LOMPOC MUSEUM presents “Scenic Treasures of the Central Coast” features works from the Lompoc Photographer’s Guild through Sept. 5 at the Lompoc Museum, 200 South H St., Lompoc. Info: 736-3888 or lompocmuseum@verizon.net.
THE MUSSELL SENIOR CENTER ART CLUB meets Wednesdays from 9 to 11 a.m. for any media painting and camaraderie at the Elwin Mussell Senior Center, 510 E Park Ave., Santa Maria. No dues or fees. Info: pv82vp779@verizon.net.
TOWN CENTER GALLERY presents the works of the artists that also volunteer at the gallery, 321 Town Center West, suite B-6, Santa Maria. Info: 349-7303 or thetowncentergallery.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 SANTA BARBARA STUDIO ARTISTS kicks off with a “Viva la Fiesta!” first exhibition party Aug. 5 from 5 to 8 p.m. and a month-long preview exhibit through Aug. 29 at the Santa Barbara Frame Shop and Gallery, 1324 State St., Arlington Plaza, Santa Barbara. Info: 964-9505 or ashley@sopris.net.
THE CENTRAL COAST WATERCOLOR SOCIETY presents a painting demonstration by Paula Schroeder on Aug. 31 at 7 p.m. at the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, 1010 Broad St., SLO. Info: dchippin@calpoly.edu.
GALLERY LOS OLIVOS presents the latest works of silk artist Sheila Underwood show through Aug. 31 at the Gallery Los Olivos, 2920 Grand Ave., Los Olivos. The exhibit “Creating Happiness—Paintings by Mandy Weathers and Sculptures by Tesi Sanchez-Halpert” shows Sept. 1 through 30 at the gallery. An opening reception is Sept. 4 from 1 to 4 p.m. Info: gallerylosolivos.com or 688-7517.
PAUL J. MCCLOSKEY presents “Summer Light—Arroyo Grande Valley” featuring his photo paintings through August at the Halcyon Store, 936 South Halcyon Road, Arroyo Grande. Info: 489-2432 or halcyonstore.com.
ARTS OBISPO presents the exhibition “Paradiso/Inferno: Drought and Fire in the Central Coast Landscapes of Nicole Strasburg” through Sept. 8 at Arts Space Obispo, SLO Creamery, 570 Higuera St., suite 165, SLO. A reception is part of Art After Dark Sept. 3 from 6 to 9 p.m. A “Throw! Build! Fire!” workshop is Aug. 28 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., all at Arts Obispo, 570 Higuera St., suite 175, SLO. Info: 544-9251 or artsobispo.org.
THE SAN LUIS OBISO MUSEUM OF ART presents the exhibit “Photomorphosis,” showcasing the art of Central Coast Photographic Society members through Sept. 25 at the museum. “No Full Disclosure: Bob Burridge” shows through Aug. 29. “Dennis Curry: From Africa to the Central Coast” shows through Aug. 30. “Acrylic Painting for Beginners“ with Robert Baeza is Thursdays Sept. 2 through 30 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art. Cost is $225, $200 for members. Drop-In Watercolor Classes” are Saturdays from 9 to 11 a.m. throughout the summer with artist Chris Berdoll at the museum. Cost is $15, $12 for museum members. The San Luis Obispo Museum of Art is located at 1010 Broad St., SLO. Info: 543-8562 or sloma.org.
THE C GALLERY presents the art of Mackenzie Duncan on view through Sept. 8 at the C Gallery, 466 Bell St., Los Alamos. Info: 344-3807 or connie@thecgallery.com.
THE WILDLING ART MUSEUM presents an exhibition featuring works of art from the permanent collection from the UCSB University Art Museum through Sept. 19 at the Wildling Art Museum, 2928 San Marcos Ave., Los Olivos. “The Desert Speaks: The Art of Fernand Lungren” shows through Sept. 19 at the museum. Info: 688-1082 or info@wildlingmuseum.org.
THE GALLERY AT THE NETWORK presents a “Jewelry Jubilee” featuring earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings, and brooches through Sept. 30 at the Gallery at the Network, 778 Higuera St., San Luis Obispo. Info: 788-0886 or thegalleryatthenetwork.com.
THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER SANTA BARBARA presents “Pioneer Jews and Contemporary Western and Historic Art” showing through Oct. 29 at the JCC, 524 Chala St., Santa Barbara. Info: 957-1115 or nfriedland@sbjf.org.
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.
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 Aug 26 – Sep 2, 2010.