Photo By Margot Jacobson Gotoff

Margot Jacobson Gotoff's Winged Nike is on display at Annie Bolling Gallery.

It's the last weekend you can feast your eyes on the stunning glass sculptures currently occupying the sleek ANNIE BOLLING GALLERY (3235 Madison Road, Oakley). Artist MARGOT JACOBSON GOTOFF displays Works in Glass, a simple title that belies her intricate sculptures. Inspired by classical Greek sculpture and intrigued by the human figure as an art form, Gotoff's pieces are a fascinating combination of classical lines with a contemporary edge. The majority of her pieces feature female torsos or fragments of a face. She uses translucent glass infused with vibrant deep blues and greens, for a truly breathtaking effect. The human form takes on a smooth, serene look in Gotoff's skilled hands, as she traces the distinctive curve of each torso and face. The blue and green hues melt together in exquisite harmony, highlighted further by the reflection and refraction of light in the glass pieces. "Double Nike" features two exquisite angel-like figures, back-lit in deep turquoise, then covered in a spattering of ginger-red glass for a beautiful yet haunting effect. Another favorite, "Moon Serenade" intersperses chunky blue glass with a myriad of fragmented faces, leaving me feeling jumbled and curious as to its inspiration. These, and many more, inspire with their simple splendor. Through Sunday. ...

After enjoying glass sculptures, head to Sculpture and Works on Paper from artist JOHN REGIS TUSKA, through Saturday at CLOSSON'S PHYLLIS J. WESTON GALLERY (2643 Erie Ave., Hyde Park). Celebrating Tuska's career (1931-1998) the show features a variety of works, including bronze and marble sculpture, pencil drawings, paper collage and paper cut-out pieces. No matter what his medium, Tuska depicted the human form with power and intensity. Most well known for his bronze sculptures, he portrayed the body with such detail and tactile motion that the figures look and feel alive, as if they're gracefully moving through the room for a brief moment. Each form displays compelling athleticism, making you want to run your fingers over the muscles and feel their strength. The fluid movement and elegance of each figure makes them appear to move continuously, yet they're frozen in the perfect moment. Don't miss it. Through Saturday. ...

Head over to the First Friday Gallery Hop in Northern Kentucky on Friday and take in an extensive array of artwork on exhibit in Covington and elsewhere. While you're there, stop by the NORDHEIM GALLERY, HOLMES SCHOOL CAMPUS (25th and Madison Ave., Covington) for paintings, sculpture and furniture by artist BONNIE KAELIN RETTIG and collages by her daughter REGINA RETTIG MARTIN. Rettig studied clay hand building on the Taos Indian Reservation in New Mexico, and incorporates those skills into her sculpture. Martin melds ordinary objects together to create new objects of varying textures and fabrics. It sounds like you'll find something fascinating, whatever you prefer. Opening Friday, 6-10 p.m. ...

If you're feeling playful, head for YORK STREET CAFÉ GALLERY (738 York St., Newport) on Nov. 13 (7-11 p.m.) for the opening of Backyard Games, new works by CARLTON SCOTT STURGILL. Sturgill, a relative newcomer to the local arts scene who began painting just four years ago, incorporates some elements of the ordinary to his work, often using rollers and squeegees to apply paint to plywood. Using vivid color, Sturgill juxtaposes 1950s advertisements with images from contemporary pornography. He also uses his West-side upbringing as subject matter for his show: Several paintings use fully functional cornhole boards. If nothing else strikes a chord, don't miss cornhole as canvas.

Mini Reviews
MALTON GALLERY (2703 Observatory, Hyde Park) offers New Word, featuring MARK CHATTERLEY and NORMA MCINTIRE. Chatterley's ceramic sculptures come across like heavy stone creatures that have been forged out of the deepest realms of fantasy. On the other hand, McIntire's works dance between levels of safe technical explorations and the desire to take personal risks. Through Saturday. Grade: B (Jacquelyn Vaughn)