Carmel Foundation Charlie Thompson’s Painting Studio , works by Studio students. Opens 5/3. Hall Gallery, Lincoln at 8th, Carmel. 624-1588. Ends 5/28.

Center for Photographic Art W. Eugene Smith , an exhibition of the most important photo essays from this top photojournalist, known best for his work at Life and Newsweek from the 1930s to 1950s (see story p. 49). Reception: 4/30, 6-8pm. Sunset Center, San Carlos at 9th, Carmel. 625-5181. Ends 6/11.

Gallery North A new gallery featuring local artists holds a grand opening reception 4/30, 6-8pm. Dolores between 5th and 6th, Carmel. 620-1987.

Hartnell College Night Walk , black-and-white photographs of local landscape and architecture by Dorian Jon; Reflections , acrylics by Arielle Ciara Ramanda. Reception: 5/3, 6-8pm. Visual Arts Building, Alisal Street at 156 Homestead Ave., Salinas. 755-6791. Ends 5/6.

J. Johnson’s Studio One Paintings by Judith Hurley. Pre-Opening Party: 5/1, 6pm. 1016 Olympic Lane, Seaside. 899-0442/224-4423.

Monterey Museum of Art/La Mirada Open House and Garden Tour : 5/2, 1-4pm. Free admission, chamber music, refreshments. Long-running exhibits : Restless Seas : Works by Armin Hansen; Body of Work : Figurative Paintings, Drawings and Prints, portraits, nudes and figure studies from the museum’s collection, including Man Ray, Rufino Tamayo and Georges Rouault; The Art and Craft of Japanese Packaging ; and bronzes by Old West sculptor Charles Russell. 720 Via Mirada, Monterey. 372-5477.

Monterey Peninsula Art Foundation Looking Towards Summer , works by more than 30 local artist-members of this cooperative gallery. Reception: 5/1, 2-6pm. 425 Cannery Row, Monterey. 655-1267.

Sally Griffin Senior Center Monterey Bay Potpourri, solo show by Eliane Brent Wakefield, opens 5/3. 700 Jewell Ave., Pacific Grove. 375-4454. Ends 5/29.

Seaside City Hall Men At Work , abstracts by Michale Donahue, Hispanic-themed acrylics by Noe Hinojosa, and selections from the “Men in Black” series by Alex Kerekes; also, a display of work-related items by Seaside’s Public Works Department. Opens 5/3. Avery Gallery, 440 Harcourt Ave., Seaside. 899-6811. Ends 5/28.

Ongoing Exhibits

Alvarado Gallery Nanao-Monterey Friendship Association: Photography Exchange. The Monterey Museum of Art sponsors an exhibition of photographs of Nanao, Japan, held in conjunction with an exhibition of Monterey Bay photography now showing at the Nanao Art Museum; both exhibitions celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Nanao-Monterey Friendship Association. Monterey Conference Center, 1 Portola Plaza, Monterey. 372-5477. Ends 5/10.

Blagojce Fine Art Gallery and Academy Macedonia artist Blagojce Stojanovski displays his drawings, etchings, paintings, frescoes, icons and bas-reliefs. The gallery doubles as his Carmel Valley Art Center and Art Academy, with art classes for children and adults. 16-B Carmel Valley Rd., Carmel Valley. 277-0056 or 659-5052. For class schedule visit www.blagoart.com.

Carmel Art Association Double Vision, Pam Carroll’s new still life oils, portraits and illustrations from her children’s books; Linford Donovan: 1906-2003 , a retrospective of character portraits by this well-known Carmel artist; in the Gallery Showcase, figurative oils by Rip Matteson; Places: Near and Far , watercolors and oils by Carol Parker; and plein air oils by Barry John Raybould. Dolores between 5th and 6th, Carmel. 624-6176. Ends 5/5.

Hawthorne Gallery Painting, sculpture, design, jewelry, glass art and more by the Hawthorne family and gallery artists. Highway 1, just past Nepenthe. Big Sur. 667-3200.

Highlands Inn Manifestations of the Mind’s Eye. Photographs by William Giles and Patrick Jablonski in conjunction with the Ansel Adams Gallery 120 Highlands Dr., Carmel. 375-7215. Ends 6/20.

Koffman Gallery Art by Dan Koffman that celebrate people’s passions, including Martinis, wine, golf and cigars. 210 Alvarado St., Monterey. 655-3457.

Lisa Coscino Gallery In the Main Gallery, exhibitions by two LA-based photographers: Sol y Sombra , large color images of bullfighters and bullfighting by Justin de Leon: and Identity , black-and-white photographs of young boxers from East LA and Tijuana by Mario de Lopez. In the Mid Gallery, an installation by Carmel artist Heidi Hybl called Falling: War, Woes and a Fall From Grace. 216 Grand Ave., Pacific Grove. 646-1939. Ends 5/15.

Monterey Maritime Museum Model ships by the late master model ship builder and maritime historian Tom Fordham. 5 Custom House Plaza, Monterey. 372-2608. Ends 5/17.

Monterey Museum of Art Long-term exhibits: California Photography: The Monterey Legacy , photographs from the museum’s collection of major Central Coast photographers; paintings by William Ritschel; Jules Tavernier paintings from the collection of Betty Hoag McGlynn; Just for Fun , toys and dolls from around the world. 559 Pacific St., Monterey. 372-5477.

Morgan’s Coffee and Tea Black-and-white photographs of the Central Coast by Steve Zmak. 498 Washington St., Monterey. 883-4459.

National Steinbeck Center Images of California Agriculture , a juried exhibition of 42 paintings, photographs and drawings that represent the land and workers of the Central Valley. 1 Main St., Salinas. 775-4721. Ends 5/30.

Nido Gallery Nature in Abstraction , works by nine local artists. 7951 Moss Landing Rd., Moss Landing. 632-3801. Ends 5/1.

Pacific Grove Art Center Just Let Go, acrylics and mixed media by Peter K. Brooks; Landscapes Around the World, oils by Alice Brown; Exteriors , oils by Hadley Northrop; Exposed, descriptive linear work with drafting and calligraphy pens by Lisa Joy Waldman. 568 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove. 375-2208 or www.pgartcenter.org. Ends 5/27.

Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History Bears! Icons of the Wild, photographs of the world’s eight species of bears by Jenny Ross. 165 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove. 648-5716. Ends 7/18.

Pajaro Valley Arts Council Guatemala, Land of Eternal Spring, a group show by local and Guatemalan Mayan artists. 37 Sudden St., Watsonville. 722-3062. Ends 5/1.

Paul Wilson Sculpture Gallery Sculpture in Harmony With Nature , works in wood by Paul Wilson. Robinson Canyon Road at Carmel Valley Road, Carmel. 625-3112.

Perry Downer Historic Costume Gallery 1930s—The Glamour Decade , costumes from the 1930s including a dress reortedly worn by Hollywood star Carole Lombard. 201 Van Buren St., Monterey. Limited hours. 372-2608, ext. 11. Ends 5/22.

Red Mill Studio and Gallery David Rojas’ studio/gallery, specializing in bird decoys, and Southwest, Shaker and Amish scenes. 170-B Grand Ave., Pacific Grove. 375-1146.

Robert Lewis Gallery A new gallery features the plein air paintings of Robert Lewis. 201 1/2 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove. 333-9046.

Sand City City Hall Color Visions, Kurt Jensen’s local coastline and adventure photographs. 1 Sylvan Park, Sand City. 394-3054. Ends 5/15.

Sasoontsi Gallery Spring Works. Works by Susan Kahn and Lu Lee. 40 Central Ave., Salinas. 751-1777. Ends 6/9.

Savage Stephens Contemporary Art Monotypes by Deborah Carlson, mixed media abstract paintings by David Stephens, bronze figures by Carol Gold. Dolores between 5th and 6th, Carmel. 626-0800.

Sirens This working studio features the paintings of Lauryn Taylor and Ali Miner. Two-day acrylic painting workshop at Hidden Valley Seminars, 5/1-2. San Carlos between Ocean and 7th, Carmel. 624-1161.

Skyline Art Gallery This new gallery for emerging artists opens with an exhibition of photography by Jerry Taylor. 230 Fountain Ave. #8, Pacific Grove. 655-0596. Ends 5/14.

Sofanya’s Art Gallery Wood carvings by Robert Parco, paintings and bronzes by Daniel Callahan, and Essence portraits by Sofanya. Fernwood Resort, Highway 1, Big Sur. art@sofanya.com. 667-2130.

Steven Whyte Sculpture Studios Figures in bronze, portrait busts by Steven Whyte in his working studio/gallery. 700 Cannery Row, suite II, Monterey. 373-5127.

Valley Art Gallery Collector’s Choice. Member artists have donated works of art, people buy tickets, and every ticket wins one of the pieces. Opens 4/24. Drawing will be held May 23. 218 Main St., Salinas. 422-4162. Ends 5/23.

Ventana Gallery Spring Awakening , works by Carolyn Mary Kleefeld. Highway 1, Big Sur. 667-2787.

Winfield Gallery Eclectic collection of art by locals and international artists. Dolores between Ocean and 7th, Carmel. 624-3369.