Summer Shorts

Starts Saturday: Summer is show-off time for tans, high dives, tennis serves and, yes, short shorts. At Groveland Gallery, the "shorts" are three shows lasting a mere two weeks each, plus one long exhibit featuring paintings and drawings by 34 of the gallery's regular talents, and a flock of fun Saturday diversions. The short shows are Jill Van Sickle's "Abstract Garden," (June 29-July 17), Bob Hest's "Things I've Been Thinking About," (July 20-Aug. 7) and Kristie Bretzke's "Poolscapes" (Aug. 10-30). The Saturday diversions begin with a figure-drawing workshop July 13 (1-4 p.m., $10, pre-registration required) and continue with porch-painter demos (12:30-4 p.m. July 20 and 27 and Aug. 10 and 17, free) and a one-day print sale (noon-5 p.m. July 27). A not-to-be-missed highlight is the plein-air "smackdown" in which 16 gallery and guest artists will be stationed throughout the neighborhood, painting the sights. Pick up a map at the gallery and visit them all (painting 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; sale of the day's work, 4-6 p.m., Aug. 3). Festivities start this weekend with the opening of the "Summer Show," featuring paintings and drawings by 34 of the gallery's regular artists (through Aug. 30), plus Van Sickle's exhibit, which includes the lovely "Botany," shown here. (Reception 2-5 p.m. Sat., free. 25 Groveland Terrace, Mpls. 612-377-7800 or www.grovelandgallery.com)