Bruce Herman: Miriam-Virgin Mother
This exhibition examines the history of the Christian Church through a contemporary lens, focusing on images of the Virgin Mary. Reception and lecture on Thursday, January 15, from 4-6 p.m. Through Fri., Feb. 6; open Mon.-Fri., 10am-4pm and Sat., 11am-5pm. Westmont College’s Reynolds Gallery, 955 La Paz Rd. Call 565-7140 or visit westmont.edu.
Shana Lutker, Anna Sew Hoy, and Brenna Youngblood: CB08, the California Biennial
Part of the Orange County Museum of Art’s California Biennial, this is an overview of contemporary California art. UCSB showcases work by three young L.A. artists known for their conceptual use of nonstandard materials. Through Sun., Mar. 1; open Wed.-Sun., noon-5pm. UCSB’s University Art Museum. Call 893-7564 or visit www.uam.ucsb.edu.
Critic’s Pick: Mark Harrington: The Shadow Line (from East/West)
This exhibit features abstract compositions by the California-raised, Bavaria-based artist. Mark Harrington uses a variety of unconventional tools to create layered, rhythmic surfaces of color that conceal the details of the process of their creation. Art historian Peter Selz, in an essay that accompanies the exhibition, writes that Harrington’s images “recall John Cage’s musical compositions, and have no beginning and no end, appearing like fragments of infinitude.” Through Sun., Mar. 1; open Tue.-Sun., 11am-5pm. Edward Cella Art+Architecture, 10 E. Figueroa St. Call 962-5900 or visit edwardcella.com.
Patty Look Lewis All Gallery Artist Show
A collection of works from Santa Barbara painters, photographers, and modern artists, including Channing Peake, Sky Bergman, Patty Look Lewis, and Merrill Wagner. Through Sat., Mar. 28; open Tue.-Sat., noon-5pm. Patty Look Lewis Gallery, 25 E. De la Guerra St. Call 965-2525 or visit pattylooklewis.com.
The Land of Sunshine: Paintings from the Irvine Museum Collection
The Wildling Art Museum opens in a new location with 24 landscapes by Southern California impressionists of the early-20th century, including Anna Hills, Benjamin Brown, and Gardner Symons. Through Sun., Mar. 29; open Wed.-Sun., 11am-5pm. Wildling Art Museum, 2928 San Marcos Ave., Los Olivos. Call 688-1082 or visit wildlingmuseum.org.
Nathan Hayden: Some Are Sweet and Some Are Nasty
A site-specific installation from the sculptor and UCSB MFA candidate consisting of large-scale linear creations of yarn and wire that make use of both the gallery space and its exterior deck. Mon., Jan. 26-Fri., Feb. 20; open Mon.-Thu., 10am-7pm and Fri.-Sat., 10am-4pm. SBCC’s Atkinson Gallery, 721 Cliff Dr. Call 965-0581 or visit gallery.sbcc.edu.
Bentley Schaad: Lost Modernist of California
A rare exhibition of paintings from the California modernist, art educator, and former dean of the Otis Art Institute. Wed., Jan. 28-Sun., Mar. 29. Sullivan Goss: An American Gallery, 11 E. Anapamu St. Call 730-1460 or visit sullivangoss.com.
An Expanded Field of Possibilities
A collection of ceramic works from 11 internationally acclaimed artists including Amy Bessone, Klara Kristalova, and William J. O’Brien, all of whom use their craft to blur the distinctions between fine art, decorative art, and craft. Sat., Feb. 28-Sun., May 24; open Tue.-Sat., 11am-5pm and Sun., noon-5pm. Contemporary Arts Forum, 653 Paseo Nuevo. Call 966-5373 or visit sbcaf.org.
Karin Aggeler: Colors of Mood
New and selected acrylic paintings by the Santa Barbara-based German artist, who begins with landscapes and converts them into the colors, layers, and textures of abstraction. Wed., Mar. 4-Sun., Mar. 29; open Wed.-Sun., noon-5pm. Artamo Gallery, 11 W. Anapamu St. Call 568-1400 or visit artamogallery.com.
Yinka Shonibare, MBE: A Flying Machine for Every Man, Woman, and Child and Other Astonishing Works
The British-Nigerian sculptor, photographer, and filmmaker brings together the elements of his own international life and background in his first solo exhibition in the western United States, featuring fanciful and unusual constructions that comment on culture, mythology, and colonialism. Sat., Mar. 14-Sun., June 21; open Tue.-Sun., 11am-5pm. Santa Barbara Museum of Art, 1130 State St. Call 963-4364 or visit sbmuseart.org.