Think there’s nothing to see this summer? Think again!

Two exhibitions opened Monday (June 23): Octopus’s Garden, clay sculpture, at the Craft Center Gallery; and Screen Prints 1970: The Art Institute of Chicago, at the C.N. Gorman Museum.

A third exhibition, Photography: Bridging Art and Science, continues through June 30 at the Buehler Alumni Center.

Octopus’s Garden — “A little curiosity about the natural world mixed with an innate desire to build things can lead to many entertaining hours in the studio,” Radomir Schmidt wrote in his artist’s statement. Schmidt, Ph.D. '71, a research scientist in a soil microbiology lab in the Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, has presented three other shows at the Craft Center Gallery, where he has worked as an instructor and served as a volunteer. “Playing with clay affords me a glimpse into a world of intricate puzzles. How does a snail form its shell, an octopus curve her tentacles, a crab fit his legs under the carapace? It is a test of sorts. Did I pay enough attention? Can my hands match what my mind sees? The most important lesson for me from all this? Don’t overthink it. Enjoy the journey! So, enjoy the show — I enjoyed getting it here.” June 23-Aug. 1, Craft Center Gallery, South Silo. Summer hours: 12:30-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 12:30-7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday. Opening reception, 3-6 p.m. Saturday (June 28).

Screen Prints 1970: The Art Institute of Chicago — From the C.N. Gorman Museum Collections: Works by 74 artists who were affiliated with the Printmaking Department of the School of the Art Institute, later known as The Art Institute of Chicago. June 23-Sept. 12, C.N. Gorman Museum, 1316 Hart Hall. Summer hours: noon-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Also, In the Hart Hall lobby: a FLASH! exhibition, A Gathering of Printmakers, organized by artist and Professor Melanie Yazzie in 2006 and curated for this exhibition by students Isra Uz-Zaman and Evelyn Fredericks.

Photography: Bridging Art and Science — Students present their Science and Society 40 final projects — 50 photographs exploring the conceptual connections between art and science and the role of art and science on the UC Davis campus. Terry Nathan, professor, Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, teaches SAS 40 as part of the Art-Science Fusion Program. Through June 30, Buehler Alumni Center. Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday (open weekends only when other events are taking place at the Buehler).

Oh, and last but not least — but you have to hurry! Dumpstir Dive — A first-year M.F.A. art show, comprising fresh new work in photography, painting, sculpture and printmaking by seven students: James Angello, Nuno Correia, Matt Debbault, Matt Gilbert, Wesley Miller, Lauren Rayburn and Jonathan Sprague. The exhibition runs through Tuesday (June 24) at the Pence Gallery, 212 D St., Davis.

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