Photo By Designsmith Gallery

Rebecca Weller's "The Workers" is on view at DesignSmith Gallery through April 28.

Step out and welcome the warmer temperatures with a walk through the gallery district on north Main Street. While there, be sure to stop by DESIGNSMITH GALLERY (1342 Main St., Over-the-Rhine) for an exhibition by artist REBECCA WELLER. Her recent work, "The Worker Series," explores a variety of painting styles and techniques that result in truly exemplary paintings. Using a limited range of color, Weller creates Asian-inspired pieces that feature Chinese laborers at work in rural settings. She has taken a fairly ordinary subject matter and infused it with beauty and nobility. Using a mostly neutral palette, including hues of rust, brown, tan and cream, Weller breathes life into her subjects with careful shading and skilled shadowing, achieving an exquisite, muted effect. Each piece has a wet, streaked look, almost as if the paint is dripping down the canvas. The result it a fresh, creamy finish that I've never seen before. Make it a point to see this; you won't be disappointed. Through May 20. Second Final Friday reception: 6-10 p.m. April 28. ...

If you haven't had the pleasure of viewing the work of artist JIMMY BAKER (often seen at Publico gallery), head over to PHYLLIS J. WESTON-ANNIE BOLLING GALLERIES, (3235 Madison Road, Oakley) which currently features his newest exhibiton, Challenges. Not one to be limited by a single medium, Baker uses painting, sculpture, installation and sound to explore how the ever-expanding digital culture of our society can distort our outlook of events and compromise our ability to process information in a comprehensive manner. His pieces are fragments of many ideas, events and images that demonstrate his central theme. It's impossible to give adequate attention to any one element, as they're all woven together in such a way as to drown each other out. Images overlap and obscure a clear view of any one idea. Viewing his work is a frenetic journey of color, images and sometimes even sound. It's jarring, to say the least, but succeeds in its introspective goals. Don't miss another chance to experience this thoughtful artist. Through May 3. ...

Make your way to the flourishing arts district in Covington to experience Alternative Typestyles, an exhibition by MATT TULLIS at POWERHOUSE FACTORIES' JIM AMANN GALLERY (30 West Pike St., Covington). Tullis, who is also a professor of graphic design at Western Kentucky University, uses this exhibition to explore various aspects of typography. It's an approach that involves a variety of elements, including unique alphabets, constructed fonts and vernacular letterforms, like those seen on vintage signs and nostalgic signage. Tullis' exhibition combines his exploration and research of typeface in the form of photographic prints and original art, including hand-drawn typefaces, ornamental fonts and sculpture assemblages created from weathered materials and found objects. If you've never considered "typeface" an art, Tullis dares to challenge that belief, and you can have a front-row seat. Opening reception: 8 p.m.-midnight Friday. Through May 23.

Mini Review
The newest eatery/gallery addition to Northside's eclectic neighborhood is MELT (4165 Hamilton Ave.), which features Short Stories, a series of mixed-media art by ERIN FELLER. Feller's pieces feel more like installation art than a series of fine-crafted works. Consisting of small- to medium-sized pieces, the exhibition focuses on the act of exploration and the art of record keeping. It's different from the type of art currently exhibited in Northside: The work looks and feels like you're peering into her sketchbooks and getting a real preview into her frenzied, creative center. Much of the work is inspired by the internal mechanics of different objects. Continues through April 30. (Jacquelyn Vaughn) Grade: B