Photo By Nicholas Gallery

Brad Day's "Rigaud" is currently on display at Nicholas Gallery.

Make up your weekend itinerary now, because you have lots to take in. Your first stop should be the XOMA GALLERY (344 Ludlow Ave., Clifton) for a look at their latest effort, NOCHES DE ARTE. Just because you missed the opening doesn't mean there isn't time to view some of the impressive artwork that celebrates Latino artists and their culture. Six area Hispanic artists exhibit work in a variety of media, including digital artwork, photography, painting and glasswork. The Noches de Arte series seeks to support and promote the work of talented Hispanic artists living in the region and will offer a monthly exhibition in different neighborhoods. Each exhibition also includes other cultural events, such as dance workshops, to enhance the visual experience. Make sure to take a look -- and keep an eye here for similar event notices in the future. Through Feb. 28 ...

Be among the first to catch a glimpse inside NICHOLAS GALLERY, (23 E. Court St., Downtown) the newest kid on the visual arts block directed by DAAP grad Nick Paddock. His vision is to provide a fresh, youthful space for new artists. His first exhibition, Fresh Times, sounds like a great beginning to that philosophy. Artists TONY DOTSON, KATIE SWARTZ, BRAD DAY and BECKY NORRIS provide viewers with their version of fresh, offering a variety of contemporary paintings and sculpture. Join the artists and fellow art-lovers for a Final Friday grand opening and then continue the party at The Poison Room, site of the gallery's monthly after-party. Opening reception is 7-12 p.m. Friday; through March. ...

If barely-there artwork is your preference, you won't want to miss the annual MINUMENTAL COMPETITION AND EXHIBITION at the ART ACADEMY OF CINCINNATI (1212 Jackson St., Over-the-Rhine). Featuring hundreds of pieces of artwork from Art Academy faculty, staff and alumni and students, this exhibition returns for its 19th annual showing. The catch: No piece of art is more than 2 inches in any dimension. This guideline fosters imaginative work in an affordable price range: Prices traditionally range from $1 to $50. Submissions will be judged by Scott Boberg, curator of education at the Contemporary Arts Center, and prizes will be presented during the opening. This exhibition provides the perfect place (and price) to start your collection of original artwork. Don't miss your chance. Opening reception: 5-7 p.m. Friday. Awards ceremony: 6 p.m. Through March 17. ...

Continuing to carve their niche in the visual arts community, JUNIOR (2159 Central Ave., Brighton) opens Everything Until Now, a new exhibition that features work by ESSEN, an artist duo out of Berkeley, Calif. (see Focal Point for more details). Nathaniel Russell and Simone Rubi (Essen) fuse their skills and techniques to create one-of-a-kind designs. Russell has a background in fine arts and printmaking, specializing in letter press and silkscreen, while Rubi's forte lies in graphic and Web design as well as music packaging. The result is an eclectic assembly of handmade prints, murals, woodcuts and limited edition posters. Russell and Rubi also write and perform music, so visitors will be treated to a performance by Birds of America and Rubies, the artists' band. It promises to be an extraordinary evening. Opening reception: 8-11 p.m. Saturday. Through March.

Mini Reviews
Currently on view at SITWELL'S COFFEE HOUSE (324 Ludlow Ave., Clifton) is local artist ANITA HOLT. The exhibition appears to be a medley of pieces from multiple bodies of work. Holt's paintings are laden with rich vibrant colors, and most of her works are devoted to exploring and isolating the human figure, although in representations that are more surrealistic than realistic. Mixed in the exhibition is one painting -- a grasshopper on an ultra-saturated red background --in which the use of color and detail is amazing. Although it feels like the odd man out, Holt's grasshopper is the show's most intriguing work. Through Tuesday. -- (Jaquelyn Vaughn) Grade: B