Description of a Journey: Art and Contemporary Narrative — Featuring the work of Rubén Ángeles, Carmen Chami, José Antonio Farrera, Elvira Sarmiento and Alejandra Zermeño, this exhibition reflects upon the physical, emotional and metaphorical experiences that arise through the journey and the narrative. Sponsored by the Mexican consulate general, the exhibition celebrates the bicentennial of Mexico's independence and the centennial of the Mexican Revolution. Feb. 1-March 19, C.N. Gorman Museum.

From Our Land — About the Nikkei (Japanese emigrants) and their role in California agriculture as well as their response to the changing political climate from the turn of the 20th century to the present day. Design Museum, Jan. 11-March 7. Reception, 1 p.m. Jan. 24, Walker Hall.

In and of Itself—By three artists who use different media to interpret the life of birds. Dede deGraffenried, bronze sculpture and glass fusing instructor at the Craft Center, creates meticulously crafted glass and bronze eggs, and combines them with found nests to offer inspired vignettes of bird life; Sumner W. Fowler photographs everything from hummingbirds tinier than a thumb to raptors with 6-foot wingspans; and Elaine Sichel combines wooden cigar boxes with ephemera and natural materials to tell ornithological stories. Jan. 4-Feb. 5, Craft Center Gallery, South Silo. Reception, 4:30-6 p.m. Jan. 9.

Recently Conserved Works — A showing of three rehabilitated works (by Roy De Forest, Edward Weston and Thiebaud) to add to visitors’ understanding of the “behind-the-scenes” work of a museum. Nelson Entryway Gallery, Jan. 7-March 14.

Selected Recent Acquisitions: 2007-09 — The Nelson Gallery, which maintains the UC Davis Fine Arts Collection, offers insight into the acquisition process — with this exhibition of some 40 works donated over the past three years. Included are:

• Handworked prints by UC Davis art professor emeritus Wayne Thiebaud, given in honor of the UC Davis Centennial.

• Drawings by the late Robert Arneson, also a UC Davis professor, given by his estate in honor of Larry Vanderhoef’s move from chancellor to chancellor emeritus.

• Prints by Professor Emeritus Malaquias Montoya given on the occasion of his retirement.

• A drawing by William T. Wiley, another UC Davis professor, on the occasion of the Nelson’s touring exhibition, You See.

An opening reception is scheduled from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 7, and the exhibition is set to run through March 7.