BY KATE BRAUER

Sharon Ellis' "Lunarium" is currently on display at the Contemporary Arts Center.

This week offers a veritable grab bag of art opportunities, along with a couple recommendations for ways to spend your Saturdays that don't require a high SPF. Speaking of those ultraviolet rays, do you have an interest in environmental issues? If so, you won't want to miss Ecovention, the first museum exhibition focusing on actual environmental art projects with a real and positive impact on the ecological systems in which they are a part. It's going on now at CONTEMPORARY ARTS CENTER (115 E. Fifth St., Downtown). Ecovention features selected artists who, in conjunction with eco-scientists, civic leaders, architects, engineers and urban planners, have contributed positively through their art to the benefit of their community ecosystems. It couldn't come at a more appropriate time. This summer marks the 10-year anniversary of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), better known as the Earth Summit, held in Rio de Janeiro back in 1992. Curator Sue Spaid tells me the timing is a "happy accident." The exhibition is divided into two parts. The first part archives past environmental art projects. The second focuses on 25 projects currently underway in the United States and Europe, six of which impact Cincin-nati's ecology, including a renovation of Solway Park, conceived and produced by Jackie Brookner and featuring a unique bio-sculpture designed to clean parking lot runoff. It's an interesting concept. Spaid hopes to see it gain community-wide interest, bringing those concerned with environmental issues together with people who love great art. Admission: $3.50; $2 students, seniors and veterans. (Free on Mondays.) Hours: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday Noon-5 p.m. ...

Introducing yet another way to stay cool this summer and beat the heat. A new (and fully air-conditioned) art exhibition space has been added to our evolving art landscape. UPSTAIRS AT THE GREENWICH (2442 Gilbert Ave., Walnut Hills) opened above Greenwich Jazz Club last month with works by ROBERT O'NEAL. Last weekend it debuted its second show, this one featuring art by KEVIN HARRIS, on display until Aug. 24. Advisory committee member LAURA HOLLIS explained to me how the gallery came into being: "One of the owners of the Green-wich, MARK YATES, came up with the idea of turning their second floor into an exhibition space, and recruited TERRANCE CORBIN, who in turn recruited the other committee members." The gallery currently has a call out to artists interested in exhibiting two-dimensional art in the new space. The gallery is small but well lit, with hardwood floors and white walls. Hours: Monday-Thursday 7-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 7 p.m.-midnight. Exhibition and artist submission information: 513- 221-1151. ...

I promised some recommendations for Satur-day entertainment, so here goes: As it happens, Saturdays are the only days you can see paintings by JEZKAH FLORES, MARKO MARJANOVIC and ELLIE RESLER at the artist-operated gallery SEMANTICS (1107 Harrison, Brighton Corner). The title of the exhibition, Hi Res, takes a stab at digital art. The art in this exhibition is anything but, with paintings by three diverse artists sharing a similar concern for the state of painting. Hours: Saturday noon-4 p.m. Info: 513-651-5460. ...

If you missed Moments from Japan, Cincinnati photographer LISA BRITTON's exhibition earlier this month at DAAP GALLERIES 840 GALLERY (DAAP Complex, room 4340, Clifton), you now have another chance to see this exotic locale from Britton's camera lens in an entirely different exhibition going on this month at SUZANNA TERRILL GALLERY (1315 Main St., Over-the-Rhine). The show is called Reverence, Photographs from Japan and features images of sacred places. Britton, who teaches at the Cincinnati Art Academy, first visited Japan in 1988, and it became a subject of fascination for her. If you've never been to Suzanna Terrill Gallery, expect a delightful surprise. Terrill's space is nestled into the busy Main Street landscape as a calm haven for weary art enthusiasts. Terrill's dog, Beatrice, is always on hand to say hello. The location is nestled into a particularly artsy corner of Over-the-Rhine, filled with galleries and anchored by Kaldi's Coffee House. It's a perfect adventure for a lazy Saturday afternoon. Hours: Wednesday-Saturday 1-5 p.m. Info: 513-665-4500.

E-mail Kate Brauer

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