UC Davis campus photographer Karin Higgins and the late Robert Arneson, a faculty member and California "funk" pioneer, are among the featured artists in the Davis community's 2nd Friday ArtAbout today (Jan. 8).

Campus Perspective: Photos by University Photographer Karin Higgins is on display at the Buehler Alumni and Visitors Center, and Higgins said she will be there to discuss her work from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. as part of the ArtAbout. The alumni and visitors center is at Old Davis Road at Mrak Hall Drive. Regular hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

ArtAbout visitors might also be interested in seeing a second show at the alumni and visitors center: Prison Works, from the art workshop at the California Medical Facility, Vacaville.

A Seed Planted: A Tribute to Robert Arneson, featuring works by Arneson and his students, is set to open today in the Tsao Gallery at the Davis Art Center. A reception is planned from 7 to 9 p.m. as part of the ArtAbout. A Seed Planted is scheduled to run through Feb. 5. The art center is at 1919 F St. The Tsao Gallery's regular hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and, during the run of the Arneson exhibition, from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturdays, Jan. 9 and 30. Free admission.

ArtAbout events, in "downtown Davis and beyond," are scheduled from 5 to 10 p.m., with each venue setting its own specific times. All events and times are listed here. The Davis Downtown Business Association organizes the 2nd Friday ArtAbout.

CRAFT CENTER GALLERY: OPENING RECEPTION JAN. 9

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. Through Feb. 5, Craft Center Gallery, South Silo. Reception, 4:30-6 p.m. Jan. 9.

NEW THIS WEEK

Recently Conserved Works — A showing of three rehabilitated works (by Roy De Forest, Wayne Thiebaud and Edward Weston) to add to visitors’ understanding of the “behind-the-scenes” work of a museum. Through March 14, Nelson Entryway Gallery, 125 Art Building. Hours: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday, by appointment on Fridays; and 2-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.

Selected Recent Acquisitions: 2007-09 — Insight into the acquisition process—with this exhibition of some 40 works donated over the past three years. Gallery officials are particularly excited about 20 hand-embellished prints by UC Davis art professor Wayne Thiebaud; the prints, donated by the artist, are being exhibited for the first time. Also included are drawings by the late Robert Arneson, a UC Davis professor; prints by Professor Emeritus Malaquias Montoya given on the occasion of his retirement; and a drawing by William T. Wiley, another UC Davis professor. Through March 7, Nelson Gallery, 124 Art Building. Hours: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday, by appointment on Fridays; and 2-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.

OPENING NEXT WEEK

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 to the present day. Jan. 11-March 7, Design Museum, first floor, Walker Hall. Hours: noon-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 2-5 p.m. Sunday. Reception, 1 p.m. Jan. 24, Walker Hall.

OPENING IN FEBRUARY

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. Hours: noon-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 2-5 p.m. Sunday.

ONGOING EXHIBITIONS

The Art of Athletes — UC Davis student-athletes put on an exhibition Oct. 16-18, and photos from the exhibit are now available for viewing online.

Diversity in the C.N. Gorman Museum Collections — Featuring recent donations: lithographs and sculpture by Salvador Dalí, and paintings and drawings by Florentino Laime Mantilla. Extended viewing, through Jan. 15, C.N. Gorman Museum, first floor, Hart Hall. Hours: noon-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 2-5 p.m. Sunday.

How to Make a (Political) Play: Behind the Scenes with the San Francisco Mime Troupe — Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the San Francisco Mime Troupe, a political theater group. The exhibition is drawn from script drafts, memos, correspondence, broadsides, graphics, photographs and even old checkbooks — among the troupe’s archives that are housed in the UC Davis General Library’s Special Collections. First floor, Shields Library. Hours: 7:30 a.m.-midnight Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, noon-6 p.m. Saturday and noon-midnight Sunday.

University Library: Building a Foundation, 1908-2008 — Centennial exhibition. First floor, Shields Library. Hours: 7:30 a.m.-midnight Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, noon-6 p.m. Saturday and noon-midnight Sunday.

MORE OFF CAMPUS

Wayne Thiebaud Collection — California State University, Sacramento, is showing all 150 works in its Wayne Thiebaud collection. The collection comprises works from 1948 to 2004, when two anonymous donors gave the collection to the university. Thiebaud is a professor emeritus of art at UC Davis and a graduate of Sacramento State. Through Jan. 23, Library Gallery (open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday). Free admission.