THE TOWN CENTER GALLERY presents pastel artist Martin Johnsen demonstrating his art on March 19 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at 321 Santa Maria Town Center West, suite B-6, Santa Maria. The gallery currently features the exhibit “Beauty Is …” at 321 Town Center West, Santa Maria. Info: bangel4123@aol.com or 934-5152.
ALLAN HANCOCK COLLEGE presents its annual Fine Arts Faculty Art Show showing through April 21 in the Ann Foxworthy Gallery, Allan Hancock College, 800 S. College, Santa Maria. An opening reception is March 24 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the gallery. Info: 922-6966, Ext. 3465, or hancockcollege.edu.
THE LOMPOC VALLEY ART ASSOCIATION presents local photographer Robert Hamilton’s exhibition “People, Places, and Pleasures” through March 28 at the Cypress Gallery, 119 East Cypress Ave., Lompoc. Info: 737-1129.
COFFEE AND COMPANY presents the art of Terrence McConnell through March 31 in the coffee shop’s Lucman Gallery, 245 Town Center West, Santa Maria. Info: 928-6492.
THE SANTA MARIA PUBLIC LIBRARY presents its latest exhibit, “Art Inspired by Mathematics” by artist Fred Ventura, through March 31 in the library’s Shepard Hall Gallery, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria. A “Historical Photo Essay of Hispanics on the Central Coast” shows through March 31 in the Santa Maria Public Library’s Popular Library, 421 S. McClelland, Santa Maria. Info: 925-0994, Ext. 177, or dhildinger@ci.santa-maria.ca.us.
THE LOMPOC MUSEUM presents the exhibit “Desperate Land,” featuring the photographs of Betsy Weiner through May 30 in the museum’s Centeno Gallery, 200 South H St., Lompoc. Info: 736-3888 or lompocmuseum@verizon.net.
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. 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.
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 MUSEUM OF ART presents the exhibit “Colorscope: Abstract Painting 1960-1979“ opening March 20 at the museum. The exhibition “Hokusai: Selected Works from the Permanent Collection” opens March 23. “Delacroix to Monet: Masterpieces of 19th Century Painting from the Walters Museum” shows through May 30 at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, 1130 State St., 1130 State St., Santa Barbara. Info: 884-6430 or kcarl@sbma.net.
THE WILDLING ART MUSEUM presents its new exhibition, “America’s Wilderness in Art: A Growing Collection,” through March 21 at the museum, 2928 San Marcos Ave., Los Olivos. Info: wildlingmuseum.org or 688-1082.
THE SAN LUIS OBISPO ART CENTER presents “Enthusiastic Encaustic,” featuring works by the Oil, Pastel, and Acrylic Group through March 28 in the McMeen Gallery. The exhibits “Legends” and “Nick Spohrer: Stories” show through April 18. The SLO Art Center is located at 1010 Broad St., SLO. Info: 543-8562 or sloartcenter.org.
MARILYN DOVER BENSON is the featured artist through March 31 at the Phantom Winery, 211 E Branch St., Arroyo Grande. Info: 937-8108 or donaldbenson2@mac.com.
THE GALLERY AT THE NETWORK presents the featured artist ceramist Bill Shinn through March 31 at the gallery, 778 Higuera St., SLO. Info: 788-0886.
THE CUESTA COLLEGE ART GALLERY presents the exhibit “Peter Zaleski: Before the Horizon” through April 3 at the Cuesta College Art Gallery, Highway 1, SLO. Info: cuestacollege.edu.
THE C GALLERY presents the art exhibit “Silence and Dirt” by painter Judy Moffson and root sculptor Albert McCurdy through April 14 at the gallery in Los Alamos. Info: 344-3807 or thecgallery.com.
THE ELVERHOJ MUSEUM AND ART presents Essential Landscapes, featuring the works of Phoebe Brunner and Pamela Kendall Schiffer through April 18 at the Elverhoj Museum, 1624 Elverhoy Way, Solvang. Info: 686-1211.
THE SANTA BARBARA CONTEMPORARY ARTS FORUM presents the exhibition “Sanford Bigger: Moon Medicine,” featuring the works of several prominent African American artists, and “Stones” by Melanie Schiff through May 2 at the Forum, 653 Paseo Nuevo, Santa Barbara. Info: 966-5373 or sbcaf.org.
THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER SANTA BARBARA presents the exhibition “Spring at the JCC,” featuring the works of 40 artists in various media through June 11 at the Bronfman Family Center, 524 Chapala St., Santa Barbara. Info: 957-115 or info@sbjf.org.
HOSPICE OF SANTA BARBARA hosts its first solo art exhibit featuring the art of Angel Valente in the Leigh Block Room, Hospice of Santa Barbara. Info: 563-8820 or hospiceofsantabarbara.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 Mar 18-25, 2010.