THE DAVID RYAN GALLERY features the art of a new artist every month. An art-and-wine party featuring the current artist and/or information on the current art is every first Friday of the month from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The gallery is located at 205 E. Clark Ave., Orcutt. Info: 937-1058 or davidryangallery.com.
THE CYPRESS GALLERY currently features the photography of Collette Christel through July 27 at the gallery, 119, Cypress Ave., Lompoc. Info: 737-1129.
THE TOWN CENTER GALLERY features the works of local artists for two months at a time. Currently featured is the art of Lori Noel through July 16. New artists are welcome. Summer art classes offered include silk painting, pottery, cartooning, and mask making. Cost is $8 an hour. The gallery is located at 142 Town Center East in Santa Maria. Info: 349-7788.
THE LOMPOC MURAL SOCIETY accepts applications for artists interested in participating in the society’s “Mural In a Day” event in September through July 31. Info: 757-8260, live2paint@hotmail.com, 588-3459, and VicAart@aol.com.
THE LOMPOC VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY presents vintage quilts on display in the Fabing-McKay-Spanne House through September. Info: lompochistory.org or 735-4626.
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 PACIFIC PRIDE CENTER presents a PRIDE art reception July 3 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the San Luis Obispo Art Center, 1010 Broad St., SLO. Free.
THE SANTA BARBARA CONTEMPORARY ARTS FORUM presents SmArt Talk: Jen Vanderpool onJuly 3 from 7 to 9 p.m.at the forum. The group art exhibit, The Bellwether Effect: At the Forefront of Design,showsthrough Aug. 10 at the Contemporary Arts Forum, 653 Paseo Nuevo, Santa Barbara. Info: 966-5373, Ext. 104.
THE CENTRAL COAST WATERCOLOR SOCIETY presents a live painting session using two draped models, one of which will be performing live acoustic guitar music, July 6 from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Nyback Wing of the San Luis Obispo Arts Center, SLO. Info: 541-0492.
BROOKS INSTITUTE presents a fundraiser exhibition featuring photography through July 10 at the Brooks Institute Cota Street Gallery, 27 E. Cota St., Santa Barbara. Info: 690-7612 or laochildren.org.
THE SANTA BARBARA MUSEUM OF ART presents It’s All About Me: California Artists’ Self-Portraits and A Tibet Expedition 1938: Selected Gifts from Two Explorers, withboth exhibitions showing through Aug. 17 at the museum. Identities shows through Aug. 31. The exhibition Made in Hollywood: Photographs from the John Kobal Foundation shows July 12 through October 12. The museum is located at 1130 State St., Santa Barbara. Info: 963-4364.
PAINTING WITH LIGHT features the photography of Paul J. McCloskey through July 15 at Kennedy Club Fitness, 88 Tank Farm Road, SLO. Info: web.mac.com/paul_mccloskey.
MOROVINO WINERY presents American abstract symbolist art by Herbert Evans Macdonald through July 31 at the winery and tasting room, 550 1st Street, Avila Beach. Info: 627-1443.
GULLIVER’S TRAVEL presents photography by Bill Neufeld and oil paintings by Marsha Lee through July 31 at the gallery, corner of Santa Rosa and Walnut, SLO. Info: 489-1487.
THE SAN LUIS OBISPO ART CENTER presents Art Encounters,featuring the works of 38 different artists through Aug. 3 at the arts center, 1010 Broad St., SLO. Info: 543-8562 or sloartcenter.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 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 Jul 3-10, 2008.