ART: New Art Openings 

This week's new exhibits present minute and unexpected artworks in libraries, introspective portraits in traditional and new media, and an exploration of the beauty and glory of Africa. The following are just a few of the exhibits opening this week; for more information on art openings, visit our calendar at rochestercitynewspaper.com. All events are free to attend unless otherwise noted.

"Edges of Books," an exhibit examining the centuries-old tradition of edge decoration, will open Thursday, October 4, 5-7:30 p.m., at the RIT Cary Graphic Arts Collection (The Wallace Center, 2nd Floor, Lomb Memorial Drive). In addition to featuring a selection of artifacts from 1518 to the present, including tomes with gilt edges or fore-edge paintings, the reception will include a lecture by renowned bookbinder Deborah Evetts at 5 p.m. A second lecture by fore-edge painter Martin Frost will take place October 16 at 6 p.m., and the show remains on view through December 19. For more information, call 475-3961, or visit library.rit.edu/cary.

On Friday, October 5, "Golden Age" will open at the Gallery at Equal=Grounds (750 South Ave.), showcasing Neal McDannel's remarkable lithograph, pastel, and pencil portraits that vary in subject matter, ranging from quiet meditations on aging, generational differences, and personal growth, to heavier, more emotionally dramatic explorations of domestic violence. See the show and meet McDannel Friday 7-9 p.m. The show will remain on view through the month of October. For more info, email [email protected].

The same night, Rochester Contemporary will present "Me Pix: Picturing Ourselves in Video and Photography," featuring electronic media works by Ann Oren (New York/Israel), Daniel Cosentino (Kosovo/Rochester), Jess Levey (New York), Karen Y. Chan (New York), and Stefan Petranek (Indianapolis). The reception takes place 6-10 p.m., and an artists' talk will be held Sunday, October 7, at 1 p.m. The show continues through November 18. Admission is $1, free to members. For more information, call 461-2222, or visit rochestercontemporary.org.

Also on Friday, 6-9 p.m., The Baobab Cultural Center (728 University Ave.) will hold a reception for "Magnificent Africa," a pictorial history on the origins of man, the beauty of the African continent, and a celebration of African genius. For more information, call 563-2145, or visit thebaobab.org.