Spotlight: Traffic Zone open studios

Saturday: Art studios above a wine bar, how cool is that? The 23 studio mates at Traffic Zone Center for Visual Art have invited 15 pals to share their clean, well-lighted spaces for a festive "open studio" evening. Participants include a full range of visual talent -- painters, photographers, sculptors, printmakers, ceramicists, conceptualists and book artists -- whose work ranges from minimalist understatement to celebratory exuberance. For example, painter Jon Neuse -- whose work "Forever Faithful" is shown here -- has turned out 15 quasi-abstract paintings he's calling "Letters to My Wives." There have been three, plus three children. "These are all wonderful women, very smart and accomplished," he said of the lovelies who inspired his emotive meditations on significant relationships. Neuse will give an informal talk about his life, art and wives at 7 p.m. Sat. He's also sharing his studio with guest artists Leila Denecke and Rick Baker, both ceramicists. (5:30- 9:30 p.m. Sat., free. Traffic Zone Center for Visual Art, 250 3rd Av. N., Mpls. www.trafficzoneart.com)