Did you know there is an Official USA Olympic Artist? Did you also know that she's from Southwest Missouri? Susan Sommer-Luarca has painted live at Super Bowl XLII and been commissioned as the official Triple Crown Horse Racing artist, among many other distinctions. You can see her work in person at Chesterfield Arts this weekend. Sommer-Luarca's equine-themed work will be on display as part of Don't Fence Me In, a joint show with sculptor Cathey DeLisle and painter Gabriela Toujas. Check out this and other great shows in the list below.
Gesture, Scrape, Combine, Calculate: Postwar Abstraction from the Permanent Collection: A cross-section of strategies and approaches to painting and scultpure featuring work by Arshile Gorky, Richard Diebenkorn, Gene Davis, Anne Truitt and many others. Mondays, Wednesdays-Sundays. Continues through Sept. 20, free. Washington University-Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, 1 Brookings Dr. (Steinberg Hall), University City, 314-935-4523, http://kemperartmuseum.wustl.edu.
VISION/RE-VISION: Work by the local printmaking collective comprising Ruth Kolker, Mary Mosblech, Mary Russe, Marceline Saphian and Joanne Stremsterfer. Mondays-Fridays. Continues through Sept. 18, free. UM-St. Louis-Gallery FAB, 1 University Dr. at Natural Bridge Rd. (210 Fine Arts Building), Normandy, 314-516-6967, www.umsl.edu/~art/.
Art in the Orchard: Reception showcasing the work of three local artists, wine and light fare served. Fri., Aug. 20, 6-8 p.m., free. Old Orchard Art Gallery, 37 S. Old Orchard, Webster Groves.
Don't Fence Me In: A celebration of the equine in art with works by Susan Sommer-Luarca, Cathey DeLisle and Gabriela Toujas. Opening reception from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, August 20. Tuesdays-Saturdays. Continues through Sept. 25, free. Chesterfield Arts, 444 Chesterfield Ctr, Chesterfield, 636-519-1955, www.chesterfieldarts.org.
Finding A Balance: Sarah Vaughn: Opening reception from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, August 20. Aug. 20-Sept. 12, free. Third Degree Glass Factory, 5200 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, 314-367-4527, www.stlglass.com.
Important 20th Century African-American Works of Art from the Parkway Collection: Paintings, drawings and sculptures with an emphasis on work made in the 1940s and 50s. Opening reception from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, August 20. Tuesdays-Sundays. Continues through Sept. 28, free admission. Tyler Fine Art, 282 N. Skinker Blvd., University City, 314-727-6249, www.tylerfineart.com.
Nurture Nature: Photography exhibition by Shawna Ventimiglia explores the special relationship humans have with nature. Closing reception from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, August 20. Through Aug. 24, free. Green Center, 8025 Blackberry Ave. (Kaufman Park), University City, 314-725-8314, www.thegreencenter.org.
Where Connections Meet: Teri Moore: Opening reception from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, August 20. Aug. 20-Sept. 12, free admission. Third Degree Glass Factory, 5200 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, 314-367-4527, www.stlglass.com.
