Christine Hoppe-Rash's "Sensation" is on display at the Carnegie Center of Columbia-Tusculum.

Treat yourself to a beautiful building and some charming watercolor pieces, and do so quickly -- you have just a few days left to view Selected Works by Watercolor Students of Ken Landon Buck, currently adorning the walls of the CARNEGIE CENTER OF COLUMBIA-TUSCULUM (3738 Eastern Ave.). Nearly 30 art students from the Art Academy's community education program contributed to this exhibition with a variety of subject matter and technique in watercolor. Although none of the pieces are particularly exceptional, the exhibition demonstrates the beauty and variety that can be achieved with watercolor. One of my favorites is "August in Avon" by SHERRY GOODSON, a delightful collection of fuzzily painted flowers that reveals the misty beauty of traditional watercolor. Another favorite is KATHLEEN STRENK's "Hidden Corner," a darkly-hued image of a mysterious stone staircase that she captures with precise detail, right down to the lime-washed stone. You'll find watercolor portraits, landscapes and even a firehouse scene, all housed in the enchanting Carnegie Center, a gorgeous historic one-time library now used as a community center. Do yourself a favor and get to it. Through May 7. ...

If you missed the Final Friday gallery walk on April 29, you also missed the inaugural opening of aptly titled 1305 GALLERY (1305 Main St., Over-the-Rhine). Director LILY MULBERRY, a recent UC grad and Over-the-Rhine resident, opens the gallery with an exhibition of her paintings, Tide, which she says demonstrates the open-studio approach she hopes to cultivate at the gallery. Mulberry is also accepting artists' applications for upcoming exhibitions. If you failed to catch the opening, you can welcome this newcomer at the closing party on May 23, 7-9 p.m. Application information: gallery1305@ hotmail.com. ...

If you've never been, it's time to check out NOAH'S ART SALONS (613 Main St., Covington) as part of the First Friday Gallery Hop in Northern Kentucky. Artist LISA WEST of Louisville showcases her paper sculptures. Intrigued? You should be. Paper sculpture is an art form found most often in print media. Using handmade paper, West cuts, folds, curls and shapes it to create textural and dimensional art. Give your eyes something new to behold at the opening reception Friday at 6-10 p.m. Through May. ...

Looking for some new alternatives this summer? You should try Second Saturday Alternative, a new art program from VISIONARIES AND VOICES designed to explore and enhance your creative side regardless of your current ability. Learn a new skill or advance a current one in painting, ceramics, sculpture, prints or digital photography. Classes will be held the second Saturday each month at the Essex Studios starting June 11. Questions/registration: 513-861-4333. ...

MANIFEST CREATIVE RESEARCH GALLERY AND DRAWING CENTER (2727 Woodburn Ave., Walnut Hills) is considering entries for its next exhibition, GREEN. Manifest seeks works that explore, comment upon, criticize, glorify and/or question current local or global environmental issues. Works of any media will be considered; the theme is open to broad interpretation. Deadline for entry is June 8. Information: green@manifestgallery.org or 513-861-3638.

MINI REVIEWS
Now at the Weston Art Gallery is IDEAS INTO OBJECTS: REINTERPRETING THE NOTEBOOKS OF LEONARDO DA VINCI, curated by Kip Eagen. He solicited a select group of artists who previously exhibited with the Weston, inviting them to carefully examine the notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci and challenging them to create work inspired by a page or idea therein. All three rooms at the Weston are utilized to house the exhibition. The number of works is a almost overwhelming, yet I was riveted. The solutions provided by the artists range from traditional perspective drawings to studies on botany, music, anatomy and even the destructive devices of war. It's awe-inspiring. From 3-D anatomical representations to framed letters with full creative freedom, the approaches to the same resources are eclectic and invigorating. It's been a long time since a show of this caliber has been on display locally. Through June 12. (Jacquelyn Vaughn) Grade: A+