On Jan. 9, the Chemeketa Community College Art Gallery will be transformed into one large, interactive piece of art. "Sea Curtains: An Installation by Audrey Socher" uses an underwater theme to achieve the effect of draped curtains of waves. Sheer fabric and theatrical lighting complete the piece, which will be featured in the gallery until Feb. 8. Reception will take place January 9, 12-2 p.m. in Building 3, Room 122.

Wildlife art featured at Elsinore Framing's new location

Montana native and wildlife artist Susan Bourdet brings her watercolor creations to the Elsinore Framing & Fine Art Gallery on January 5. Her childhood, spent growing up around nature, is reflected through realistically detailed animals and botanical subjects set against impressionistic backgrounds. Bourdet uses soft colors and loose brushwork with a wet-into-wet technique that evolved over her twenty years of painting. Her paintings have been featured in shows across the country, including the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum's Birds in Art and the Society of Animal Artists' Art and the Animal.

Check out Elsinore Framing in its new location at 444 Ferry Street.

Art Association offers wide variety of classes

The Keizer Art Association offers a series of art classes beginning in early January that include marbling, woodcarving, calligraphy and acrylics. Salem artist Deanna White will teach Exploring Pastels with soft, hard and oiled pastels. Students explore various pastel surfaces, learn about preservation and framing techniques for pastels and try the versatility of "painting" with a unique medium. Master woodcarver Dave Disselbrett will help students create a special project -- a "Trust Me" weasel in a business suit. All levels of carvers are welcome. Call (503) 390-3010 for details.

Bush Gallery opens "Rubberneckers" show
A new exhibit on point of view and curiosity opens at the A.N. Bush Gallery on January 18. Fifteen artists from across the United States will showcase work produced in a variety of media, including video, random objects, painting and photography. Non-events that are otherwise ignored find expression in art. The exhibit pays tribute to those of us who strain to see or hear what is just beyond our peripheral vision.

Pastamichi celebrates Oregon in pictures
Outdoor photographer Ellen Hamill grew up in Wisconsin amid the beauties of the farmlands. She brings this outdoorsy sense of art to Pastamichi Restaurant in her exhibit, Celebrate Oregon: Photographic Art Show. Hamill captures a range of Willamette Valley scenes that adorn the walls of Pastamichi's in West Salem.