ART | "Ladies First" 

Keith A. Smith is a renowned book artist, printmaker, and photographer, and since the mid-1960's has created nearly 300 works, including volumes on book theory and bookmaking technique. (I've now written "book" so many times that the word sounds funny.) A selection of Smith's work, including imagery from his large fold book, "Ladies First," is on display at Visual Studies Workshop (31 Prince Street) until July 1. The exhibition and the book — which VSW has reproduced in a special boxed edition — focuses on his representation of women in classical paintings as well as painter Frida Kahlo.

VSW's "Ladies First" is the first in a new series of artists' books that the organization is launching on June 23 at the opening of its fourth Photo-Bookworks Symposium. Visual Studies Workshop is open Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and admission is free. For more information call 442-8678, or visit vsw.org.