Info: abecedariangallery.com, 720-282-4052, 303-340-2110.

Abend Gallery, 2260 E. Colfax Ave., presents: Windows to the Divine, exhibition of works created by 50+ artists during the Sept. 4-8 Altitude & Attitude Paint Out benefiting the Colorado Dominican Vocations Foundation, shows Sept. 8-29.
     Info: 303-355-0950, abendgallery.com.

Art Students League of Denver, 200 Grant St., presents: Stories of the League, a memory book exhibition featuring individual pages created by members and faculty to celebrate the League’s silver anniversary, opens Oct. 1.
     Concurrently showing: The League of Book Works’ National Juried Exhibition of Artists’ Books, an artistic exploration of the book form, from concept to codex, showcasing the best in contemporary handmade book art, juried by Alicia Bailey.
     First Friday Art Walk reception Oct. 5, 5:30-8p.m. Info: asld.org, 303-778-6990.

Artists on Santa Fe Gallery, 747 Santa Fe Dr., presents: Friday/Jang, fanciful, fun works created from found objects, primarily metal and wood, by Mark Friday and Deborah Jang, opens Sept. 5 and shows through Oct. 1. Artists reception during First Friday Art Walk, Sept. 7, 6-9p.m. Info: artistsonsantafe.com, 303-573-5903.

Artwork Network, 878 Santa Fe Dr., presents: Fade to White, a new, all-white collection by painter Gus Harper (known for vibrant, colorful artwork), opens with reception Thur., Sept. 6, 6-8p.m. Underground Gallery presents the work of Vrba starting Sept. 7. Open first Friday (Sept. 7) until 9p.m. Info: 303-388-7420, artworknetwork.com.

Bell Studio Gallery, 1573 S. Pearl St. presents: Cutting-edge artist Phil Bender every Sunday at the South Pearl Farmers Market, plus works by Susan Bell, Judith Babcock, Kelli Miller and Gail Boyd. Information: 303-282-7343, bellstudiogallery.com.

Byers-Evans House Gallery, 1310 Bannock St., presents: Works by 2011 Denver Plein Air Arts Festival emerging artists Michael McConnell, Chris Alan Serr and Jeannie DeMarinis, opening with reception Fri., Sept. 7, 5-9p.m., and on display through Sept. 29.
     Taste of Colorado free day, Sat., Sept. 1, includes free admission and tours of the first floor, 10a.m.-3:30p.m. Info: 303-620-4933, historycolorado.org.

C.C. Opiela Gallery, 840 Santa Fe Dr., presents: Talia Swartz’s Abstract Painting, a playful series of colorful, whimsical abstract paintings of cities and urban architecture, using industrial objects like buildings, benches, power lines and fire hydrants to capture each city’s unique energy, inspired by her recent travels to New York City and Italy. Show ends Sept. 24.
     Open First Friday Art Walks, 5-9p.m. Info: 303-552-6831, ccopielagallery.com.

Chicano Humanities & Arts Council, 772 Santa Fe Dr., presents: Seasonal Sell-a-Bration, works by Pamela Acosta, Judy Miranda,Connie Mae la Motte, Dan Muniz, James Martinez, Benita Olivas,Lori Melena and Lucille Ruibal-Rivera, showing Sept. 7-30.
     CHAC Norte September featured artists:Fernando Duran-Alcantar, Beverly Green, Daniel and Lucas Luna,Robert Maestas, Ellen Pruitt, Pegi Taylor and Sonny Valdez.
     First Friday Opening Reception Sept. 7, 6-10p.m.
     Info: chacweb.org or 303-571-0440.

Center for Visual Art, 965 Santa Fe Dr., presents: Metrosphere, literary and visual artworks from the latest edition of the Metrosphere magazine; Artists of CVA, works by past and current student employees of the Center for Visual Art; and Impressions, work of MSU Denver students from a plein air painting workshop held in northern New Mexico, shows through Sept. 8. Return of the Corn Mothers Exhibition opens Sun., Sept. 30.
     Info: 303-294-5207, metrostatecva.org.

CORE New Art Space Cooperative Gallery, 900 Santa Fe Dr., presents: Works by Terri Bell,Jon Koenigsberg, Katie Hoffman and Meg Voigt Meersman show through Sept. 9.  Red, White and Blue open call exhibition shows Sept. 13-30. Artists’ Reception Fri., Sept. 14, 6-9p.m.
     Open for First Friday Art Walks, 6-9p.m. Info: corenewartspace.com, 303-297-8428.

Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy., presents: El Anatsui: When I Last Wrote to You About Africa, early wood trays, ceramics, wooden sculptures and luminous metal wall sculptures showcasing the contemporary African artist’s unique practice of transforming simple materials – driftwood, milk tins and bottle tops – into striking works of art that tell personal and universal stories. Opens Sept. 9.
     Tickets are on sale now for the Becoming Van Gogh exhibition, opening Oct. 21, examining critical steps in the largely self-taught artist’s evolution through more than 70 paintings and drawings by Van Gogh, along with works by artists to whom he responded.
     Closed Mondays. Colorado residents enter free on the first Sat. of the month (Sept. 1). Info: denverartmuseum.org, 720-865-5000.

Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St., presents: Kizuna: West Meets East, towering outdoor bamboo sculpture installations by internationally known artists Tetsunori Kawana and Stephen Talasnik.
     Someone Like You, paintings by Margaret Kasahara, using kitsch and humor to explore stereotypes and identity through colorful pop culture imagery, showing in the Conservatory building.
     Info: 720-865-3500, botanicgardens.org.

Denver Public Library, Central branch, 10 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy., presents: Making a Difference in Colorado Since 1864, an exhibit marking the 200th Jubilee of the Sisters of Loretto, illustrating the history and contributions of the Loretto Community through photographs, art and memorabilia, in the Level 5 Western History Art Gallery. Includes Beginnings in Kentucky and Santa Fe, The Schools, Global Loretto, Social Entrepreneurship: Peace and Justice and Ordinary Women, Extraordinary Lives. Opens with public reception Sun., Sept. 16, 1:30-4p.m. Visit lorettocommunity.org for Jubilee information.
     Info: 720-865-1821, denverlibrary.org.

Gallery 1261, 1261 Delaware St., presents: Introductions, new photographs by Gregory Block and new paintings by Utah landscape artist Andrzej Skorut, shows through Sept. 22. Info: gallery1261.com, 303-571-1261.

William Havu Gallery, 1040 Cherokee St., presents: Solitude, works by Jane Abrams,Jeff Aeling, Lloyd Brown, Michael Burrows, James Cook,Stephen Dinsmore, Rick Dula, Sushe & Tracy Felix, Lui Ferreyra,Jean Gumpper, Ray Knaub, Mary Mito and Debra Salopek, through Sept. 15.
     Info: williamhavugallery.com or 303-893-2360.

Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art, 1311 Pearl St., presents: William Joseph: Sculptor and Painter, an exhibition of creative highlights of the Denver native artist and educator’s 55-year artistic career, including sculptures, paintings, prints and drawings, opens Fri., Sept. 14. Info: 303-832-8576, kirklandmuseum.org.

Niza Knoll Gallery, 915 Santa Fe Dr., presents: Gone to the Dogs, annual juried show of works depicting canines, shows through Sept. 22.
     Info: 303-953-1789, nizaknollgallery.com.

Sand Dollar Gallery, 1256 S. Pearl St., presents: Fall Preview Show, featuring quilted aspen paintings by Ellen Smith, new sunflower and bird paintings by Nancy Condit, pottery by Jim Klingman and Kathleen Laurie, and aspen watercolors by Jackie McFarland. First Friday Artwalk opening receptions Fri., Sept. 7, 4-8p.m., and Sat., 8, 11a.m.-5p.m. Call for details of fall watercolor workshops with Nancy Condit, Sat., Sept. 22 & 29. Info: 303-871-8028 or sanddollargallerydenver.com.

South Pearl Street, from E. Jewell Ave. to Buchtel, presents: First Friday Art Walks, with art, appetizers and live music, 4-8p.m. Participating galleries include: Artyard, Bell Studio/Gallery, Jewelers Gallery, George Nicks, Mortgage West/Big Purple Box, Polkadot, Sand Dollar Gallery, Stella’s Coffee and others. Info: Bell Studio/Gallery, 303-282-7343.

Space Gallery, 765 Santa Fe Dr., presents: The Other Primary Colors: Black White Gray, exhibition of non-objective art – not representational, containing no recognizable figures or objects, and with no intentional derivation from any concrete matter – featuring paintings by Marks Aardsma,Carlene Frances, Corey Postiglione and David Sawyer, prints by Tonia Bonnell, sculpture by Michael Burnett and wire work by Nancy Koenigsberg. Shows Sept. 7-Oct. 20, with opening reception Fri., Sept. 21, 6-9p.m. Info: spacegallery.org or 720-904-1088.

Spark Gallery, 900 Santa Fe Dr., presents: Die Hard, abstracts from the junkyard by Barbara Carpenter, and Faces of the Winged Beings, recent paintings by Deborah Bryon in the main gallery; plus recent paintings by Craig Marshall Smith in the North Gallery. Artist Reception Fri., Sept. 7, noon-9p.m. Ends with Coffee with the Artists, Sun., 23, 1-4p.m.
     Info: sparkgallery.com, 720-889-2200.

Studio 12 Gallery, 209 Kalamath St., Unit 12, presents: Taking Denver, group exhibition of painting, printmaking, ceramics and sculpture by the art department faculty of Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, shows Sept. 1-29. Featured faculty include Jake Allee, Joshua Butler, Suzie Garner,Eli Marco Hall, Alison Harris, Heather Patterson McCulloch, Carolyn Quinn-Hensley and Araan Schmidt, all present at a Sept. 7 First Friday opening reception, 5-9p.m.
     Info: 303-629-8744 or studio12gallery.com.

Sync Gallery, 878-1 Santa Fe Dr., presents: Zoom, impressionistic photography by Jeff Curry, and What If?, Surrealist-inspired oil paintings by Jen Zielinski show through Sept. 15. Paintings by Jessica Loving and paintings on handmade paper by Roxanne Rossi opens Sept. 21.
     Info: syncgallery.org, 303-794-0908.

TACtile Textile Arts Center, 1955 S. Quince St., Suite 200, presents: Small Vision Big Voices Studio Art Quilt Association quilt show, showcasing quiltwork from Colorado, Wyoming and Utah, hangs Sept. 1-Oct. 13.
      Info: tactilearts.org, 720-524-8886.

VSA Arts of Colorado/Access Gallery, 909 Santa Fe Dr., presents: Use YOUR Words, a varied exhibition ranging from Zen-like decorative rock sculptures and graffiti murals to message-related works appropriate for a professional office setting, created in the summer ArtWorks program for teens with and without disabilities. Closes with reception, Fri., Sept. 7, 6-9p.m.
     Leadership Spirit, a collaborative book project showcasing the poetry of Buna Dahal and the illustrations of VSA Colorado artist Andrew Morris, shows through Sept. 7.
     Unsold works from 99 Pieces of Art on the Wall fundraiser (Fri., Sept. 21 – see Odds, pg. 31) on view through Oct. 5.
     Info: 303-777-0797, accessgallery.org.

Victoria H. Myhren Gallery, at DU, 2121 E. Asbury Ave., presents: Richard Bell: Uz vs. Them, vivid and provocative paintings and videos by the Australian aboriginal contemporary artist, self-described as “more an activist than an artist.” Opens with reception Thur., Sept. 13, 5-7p.m.
     Information: 303-871-3716, or du.edu/art/myhrengallery.

Vertigo, 960 Santa Fe Dr., presents: Exposure 2012: Friendship Bridge in Guatemala, images of the women of the highlands and Lake Atitlan regions of Guatemala who benefit from nonprofit Friendship Bridge’s microfinance and education programs, captured by photographer Ben Rasmussen during a one-week visit in March 2012. Shows Sept. 14-28. Info: vertigoartspace.com or 303-573-8378.

Walker Fine Art, 300 W. 11th Ave., presents: Introductions, featuring darkly humorous “post-pop” paintings by Mark Penner-Howell; photography comparing the processes of creation and destruction by David Agee; abstract paintings with intricate mark-making by Karen Roehl; large- scale oil paintings of flowers by children’s book illustrator and graphic designer Chloe Hedden; self portraits by photographer Sally Stockhold, posing as famous artistic, historical and literary characters; and stone carvings and paintings by Vanessa Clarke. Shows through Sept. 15.
     Opening with reception, Fri., Sept. 21, 6-9p.m.: exhibition of pigment on canvas and charcoal on paper by Udo Nöger, and stoneware and wood sculpture by Kazu Oba. In the Back Gallery: paintings and intaglio prints by Evan Mann; sculptures from recycled wood debris by Chris DeKnikker; and photography, installation, mixed media and film by Sabin Aell. First Friday reception Oct. 5, 6-8p.m.
     Information: walkerfineart.com; 303-355-8955.

z|art dept., at 1136 Speer Blvd., presents: Colorado Gold: The Many Facets of Robert Mangold, sculpture showing the interdependence of space, time and motion, including Anemotive kinetic pieces and the Point Traveling Through Space At An Erratic Speed series of “implied kinetic” structures, shows through Sept. 28.
     Info: 303-298-8432 or zart.com.