ALLAN HANCOCK COLLEGE’S Fine Arts Department presents Altered, an exhibit featuring found items made into art through Jan. 9 in the Shepard Gallery, Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria. An opening reception is Dec. 12 from 6 to 9 p.m. Phase two of the Indomitable Spirits Project: Proud Flesh, an exhibit created by people in recovery, shows 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.
DAVID RYAN GALLERY closes its doors at the end of December, and celebrates its seven years of offering fine art from all over the globe with most items 30 to 50 percent off. The gallery is located at 205 E. Clark Ave., Orcutt. Info: 937-1058 or davidryangallery.com.
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.
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 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 shows through Dec. 12 at the C Gallery, 466 Bell St., Los Alamos. Info: 344-3807 or thecgallery.com.
THE ELVERHOJ MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND ART presents a Danish Christmas Craft Making class Dec. 13, 14, 21, and 22 from noon to 4 p.m. at 1624 Elverhoy Way, Solvang. Info: 686-1211.
THE SAN LUIS OBISPO ART CENTER holds a screening featuring Real Men Knit, a film by local filmmaker Weny Eidson, and Quiltmaker’s of Gee’s Bend on Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. at the center, 1010 Broad St., SLO. Suggested donation is $7, $5 for members. The exhibits Cutting Edge Fiber Arts and California Contours 2008: New Turned Forms shows through Jan. 18 in the Gray Wing, SLO Art Center, SLO. Info: 543-8562 or sloartcenter.org.
THE CENTRAL COAST ARTISTS presents a Holiday Giftique featuring handmade gifts by local artisans on Dec. 14 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1662 Knoll Road, SLO. Info: 528-8791.
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 jewishsantabarbara.org.
PAUL J. MCCLOSKEY presents “Sacred Light-Sacred Lands” featuring art photography through Dec. 31 at the Nautical Bean Café, 11560 Los Osos Valley Road, SLO. Info: 543-3559.
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.
THE GALLERY AT THE NETWORK presents the glass it’s 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 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 sloartscouncil.org. Info: 544-9251.
This article appears in Dec 11-18, 2008.