ALLAN HANCOCK COLLEGE’S Ann Foxworthy Gallery currently features a photography exhibit by Hancock instructor Dave Passage in the college’s academic resource center at 800 S. College, Santa Maria. An artist reception is Sept. 17 from noon to 1:30 p.m. Info: 922-6966, Ext. 3465.
THE SANTA BARBARA COUNTY ARTS COMMISSION presents “Iron and Plastic: Alternative Photography” featuring the works of several artists, curated by John Hood through Sept. 18 at the Betteravia Government Center, 511 E. Lakeside Parkway, Santa Maria. Info: 568-3994.
THE TOWN CENTER GALLERY presents works by local artists each month at its location at 321 Town Center West, suite B-6, Santa Maria. An artist reception featuring an auction and artist demonstrations is Sept. 18 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the gallery. Info: bangel4123@aol.com or 934-5152.
THE LOMPOC VALLEY ART ASSOCIATION presents the exhibition “For the Beauty of the Earth” through Sept. 27 at the Cypress Gallery, 119 East Cypress Ave., Lompoc. Info: 737-1129.
THE SANTA MARIA PUBLIC LIBRARY presents the art show “Faces and Places” featuring the paintings of local artist Joan Jones through Sept. 30 at the Santa Maria Public Library’s Shepard Hall Gallery, 421 South McClelland St., Santa Maria. Info: 925-0994, 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
THE WILDLING ART MUSEUM presents its fall exhibition celebrating the Sierra Nevada mountain range, curated by Scott McClaine, Sept. 23 through Jan. 3 at the museum in Los Olivos. An opening reception is Sept. 20 at 3 p.m. Info: wildlingmuseum.org or 688-1082.
BROOKS INSTITUTE presents photographs by Tim Mantoani in the exhibit “Behind Photographs: Archiving Photographic Legends” showing through Sept. 25 at Gallery 27, 27 E. Cota St., Santa Barbara. Info: mantoani.com or 690-7683.
LINNAEA’S COFFEE HOUSE presents the exhibit “The Big Ah-Ha” featuring paintings by Mary J. Kocher through Sept. 27 at Linnaea’s Coffee House, 1110 Garden St., SLO. Info: mjk73@sbcglobal.net.
THE SAN LUIS OBISPO ART CENTER presents “Alex Couwenberg: Morphic Traces” showing through Sept. 27 in the First Gallery. “Peggy Ferris: Designer Abstractions” shows in the Gray Wing through Sept. 27. The SLO Art Center is located at 1010 Broad St., Mission Plaza, SLO. Info: 543-8562 or sloartcenter.org.
GALLERY LOS OLIVOS presents the exhibit “Minnie Anderson … The Other Side” through Sept. 30 at Gallery Los Olivos, 2920 Grand Ave., Los Olivos. Info: 688-7517 or gallerylosolivos.com.
THE BRONFMAN FAMILY JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER presents “Contemporary Expressions: Jewish Artists” showing through Sept. 30 at the Jewish Center, 524 Chapala St., Santa Barbara. Info: 957-1115, info@sbjf.org, or jewishsantabarbara.org.
PAUL J. MCCLOSKEY presents “Painting with Light” photo paintings September through October at the Clark Center for the Performing Arts, 487 Fair Oaks Ave., Arroyo Grande. Info: web.mac.com/paul_mccloskey.
THE SANTA BARBARA MUSEUM OF ART presents a “Corot in California” showing through Oct. 11 at the museum. The museum is located at 1130 State St., Santa Barbara. Info: 963-4364.
THE C GALLERY presents the exhibit “East/West” featuring the art of Luis Ramirez and Marti Fast through Oct. 22 at the C Gallery, 466 Bell St., Los Alamos. Info: 344-3807 or thecgallery.com.
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 Sep 17-24, 2009.