Seasonal exhibitionism 

A preview of the 2015-16 art season

With the first tastes of autumn in the air comes the energy of a fresh arts season. Here are a dozen or so not-to-be-missed shows to distract you from the dead-weather doldrums. Some exhibition details may change, so check back with the galleries as time moves forward. Admission is free unless otherwise specified.

This is only a sampling of what's to come. Look for more scheduled shows on individual galleries' sites, and check City Newspaper every Wednesday, or keep up with our searchable online calendar at rochestercitynewspaper.com.

Through September 26, Detroit-based illustrator Mark Penxa will show new paintings and assemblages in "You Won't Believe What Happens Next...," at 1975 Gallery (89 Charlotte Street). Taking its name from tempting, vacuous "clickbait" headlines, the artist makes fascinated, disturbed, and frustrated commentary on early Internet imagery and misinformation. Penxa is currently the resident artist for Stereo Skateboards, and this is his second exhibition in Rochester; his work was featured alongside Don Pendleton's in 1975 Gallery's "The Worst is Yet to Come," held at Booksmart Studio in 2010. 1975's hours are Wednesday and Thursday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday, 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. For more information, visit facebook.com/1975ish.

Through October 7, SUNY Geneseo's Bertha V. B. Lederer Gallery (Brodie Fine Arts Building, room 203, 1 College Circle, Geneseo) will host "Beaded Birds and Beasts: Selected Iroquois Beadwork." Concurrently, four contemporary Native American artists will participate in a group show of their work: Carrie Hill, Peter Jemison, Karenlyne Hill, and Natasha Smoke Santiago. Gallery hours are Wednesday and Thursday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit geneseo.edu/galleries/lederer_gallery.

From September 25 through October 31, Axom Gallery & Exhibition Space (176 Anderson Avenue, Suite C) will present "Menagerie," new sculpture by glass master Robin Cass. The artist's current work in hot-sculpted glass and metal include curiosities in various states of development and preservation, and explore themes of discovery, perception, and wonder. A reception will be held Friday, September 25, 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Axom's hours are Wednesday to Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. and by appointment. Admission is free. Learn more by calling 232-6030 x22 or visiting axomgallery.com.

From the early days of photography, image makers were required to bring their equipment to the subject matter. But the release of the Xerox 6500 color copier in 1973 changed everything and led to the rise of self-published zines and other art forms. Celebrating this history, "The Immovable Camera," curated by Robert Hirsch, Tom Carpenter, Kitty Hubbard, and Ray Brewer, opens Tuesday, October 27, at Tower Fine Arts Center Gallery at SUNY Brockport (180 Holley Street, Brockport). A reception takes place that day, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., and the show continues through December 11.

Later in the season, check out "Ann Ropp: Works on Paper," featuring colorful, gestural abstractions the artist describes as "a continuing investigation into the sex of color." The show runs January 26 through February 23, with a reception taking place January 26, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 395-2805 or visit brockport.edu/finearts.

Through October 31, Main Street Arts (20 West Main Street, Clifton Springs) will present "Celtic Impressions by Three: Seen and Unseen Ireland," featuring work by g.a. Sheller, Constance Mauro, and Elizabeth Durand. Each created paintings, printmaking, and encaustic to reflect on their experiences travelling together through the Emerald Isle. A reception and artist talk will be held Saturday, September 26, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The gallery is open Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, call 315-462-0210, or visit mainstreetartsgallery.com.

Through November 15, Rochester Contemporary Art Center (137 East Avenue) will host "Brooklyn Bridge," featuring five New York-based emerging artists exhibiting together for the first time. Participating artists include Shoshana Dentz, Richard Garrison, Liz Jaff, Derek Lerner, and Norm Paris. Rochester Contemporary is open Wednesday through Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday, 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Admission is $2, and free to members. For more information, call 461-2222, or visit rochestercontemporary.org.

From November 1 through November 30, International Art Acquisitions (3300 Monroe Avenue) will host "America on the Lake," featuring the oil paintings of lush and tranquil scenery by Marcia Gillenwater. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. For more information, call 264-1440 or visit internationalartacquisitions.com.

From October 9 through October 11, The Rochester Arts Center (formerly the Genesee Center for the Arts and Education, 713 Monroe Avenue) will host a "Flower City Pottery Invitational," featuring the work of 20 premier ceramic artists from across the nation. The weekend-long event will include a special artist reception on Friday, October 9, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., pottery exhibitions, and workshops and talks by the visiting artists. Tickets for the reception are $25, and other events range from $25 to $60. To reserve your spot or learn more, visit rochesterarts.org.

From November 7 through January 30, the center will present "Social Reportage: Migrant Workers," a group photography show led by photojournalist Arlene Thaler. An opening reception will be held Saturday, November 7, 2 to 5 p.m. Community Darkroom hours are Monday, 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Tuesday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Friday, noon to 5 p.m.; and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. For more information, call 244 -1730 or visit rochesterarts.org.

From October 31 through February 14, George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film (900 East Avenue) will host "Brian Ulrich: The Centurion." An exploration of the visual landscape of America's consumption economy, Ulrich's work showcases sites and people associated with extreme wealth, and examines the allure and artifice of material abundance. George Eastman House is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $5-$14, and free to members and children ages 12 and younger. For more information, call 271-3361, or visit eastmanhouse.org.

Through early November, check out "Nature in Motion," featuring the explosively colorful paintings of Susan Jenkins at RMSC's Cumming Nature Center (6472 Gulick Road, Naples). Jenkins' style ranges from abstract to realism, is imbued with gorgeous light and mimics the kinetic qualities of the matter that makes up everything. CNC closes down for the season on November 9 and reopens in January. Hours are Wednesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, call 374-6160 or visit rmsc.org/CummingNatureCenter.

Gallery r (100 College Avenue) and Bevier Gallery (73 Lomb Memorial Drive) will simultaneously present "Flux: Keith Howard & His Legacy," a celebration of the late artist and RIT professor. Bevier will present a variety of Howard's work as well as an invitational portfolio of works by his students and colleagues opening on November 20, while Gallery r will feature a selection of black and white prints from Howard's studio, running December 4 through January 10. Bevier is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Monday through Thursday, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and Sunday, 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Gallery r's hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 256-3312, or visit galleryr.rit.edu or cias.rit.edu/bevier-gallery.

If you're craving a little fantastical transportation this winter, check out "Inspiring Beauty: 50 Years of Ebony Fashion Fair," hosted by Memorial Art Gallery (500 University Avenue) from January 31 through April 24. The exhibit will feature styles by Christian Dior, Yves St. Laurent, Oscar de la Renta, Pierre Cardin, Patrick Kelly, Christian Lacroix, Alexander McQueen, and more world-class designers who created couture clothing especially for Ebony Fashion Fair. Black is and always has been beautiful. MAG's hours are Wednesday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is $7-$14 except Thursday nights, when it is half-price. Children under the age of five, members, and University of Rochester students get in for free. For more information, call 276-8900 or visit mag.rochester.edu.