Holiday Humbug A “Southwest Holidays” celebration takes place Dec. 3-Jan. 6 at Colores of Scottsdale. The show opens with an artist reception and book signing with Diana Madaras from 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 3. Her painting of “Kitty Humbug,” an acrylic on canvas that measures 18" high x 24" wide, is pictured. Guests can meet the artist and have her sign a copy of “Kitty Humbug’s Christmas Tail,” a new children’s book that illuminates the issues of homeless animals and the less fortunate. A portion of the proceeds from whimsical images of the cat, which are featured on T-shirts, coffee mugs, art prints and tiles, benefits animal causes. The show also includes work by Linda Carter Holman, Mitch Henderson and Alix Stefan. For more information, call (480) 947-1489.

After Hours Gallery—116 W. McDowell Rd., Phoenix, alldecksonhand.org, (602) 710-2398. National and Arizona-based artists share one-of-a-kind works of art on skateboard decks as part of “All Decks on Hand.” A collaboration between the gallery and Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center, the exhibit showcases more than 200 decks created by artists, including 30 designed by teens and young adults affected by autism. The show continues through Dec. 4.

Arizona State University Art Museum—Nelson Fine Arts Center, Tempe, (480) 965-ARTS. “I’m Keeping an Eye on You,” through Dec. 12; “Political Ply: Recycled Evaporative Cooling Shade Structures,” through Dec. 20; “Jillian McDonald: Alone Together in the Dark,” through Jan. 9; “Defining Sustainability: From the ASU Art Museum Collection,” through Jan. 30; and “Nowhere to Hide: Three Artists in the Desert,” through Feb. 20.

Bentley Gallery—4161 N. Marshall Way, Scottsdale, bentleygallery.com, (480) 946-6060. New works by Hector Ruiz and Phoenix graffiti artist Dose are on exhibit in “colLABORration,” through Dec. 3.

Bonner David Galleries—7040 E. Main St., Scottsdale, bonnerdavid.com, (480) 941-8500. The gallery welcomes Michael Carson for “The Figure Takes Form: Michael Carson.” The show opens with a reception for the artist from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 3 and continues on exhibit through Dec. 23.

Bridge Gallery—Carefree Galleria, 37555 N. Hum Rd., Carefree, bridgegallery.net, (480) 947-4487. Contemporary Western paintings and horsehair baskets are on display through Dec. 2. The gallery celebrates Christmas with an exhibit of small original paintings, jewelry and crafts by a variety of contemporary regional artists. The show opens with a reception from noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 5 and remains on display through Dec. 31.

Duley-Jones Gallery—7100 E. Main St., Scottsdale, duleyjones.com, (480) 945-8475. The gallery hosts its annual holiday exhibit, Dec. 1-31, with an opening reception from 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 3. The show features small works by gallery artists, including Merrill Mahaffey, Walt Wooten, David Gordinier, Jeanne Mahaffey and Michael Wisner.

Standing Tall Joan Cawley Gallery in Scottsdale hosts an informal evening of issues and art from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Dec. 10 as Paradise Valley Mayor Vernon Parker discusses his possible run for governor of Arizona amidst a background of Contemporary Southwest art. Jeanie Thorn is featured artist for the evening. Pictured is “Breakwater,” a metal sculpture by Thorn that measures 54" high x 11" wide. For more information, call (480) 947-3548.

Exposures International Gallery of Fine Art—561 S.R. 179, Sedona, exposuresfineart.com, (928) 282-1125. Mixed-media water sculptures by Wolfgang Vaatz are on display in “Art and Water,” Dec. 1-31.

Figarelli Galleries & Sculpture Garden—7610 E. McDonald Dr., Scottsdale, figarellifineart.com, (480) 609-7077. Works by Allan Houser are on exhibit through May 30.

Gallery Andrea­­—7019 E. Main St., Scottsdale, artandrea.com, (480) 481-2530. Paintings of poinsettias by Andrea de Kerpely-Zak, and desert landscape paintings by Carol Benally and Andrea Ponzini are on display in a “Miniatures Show,” Dec. 1-31.

Goldenstein Gallery—390 N. Hwy. 89A, Sedona, goldensteinart.com, (928) 204-1765. “Gifts That Adorn, Gifts That Inspire, Gifts That Keep Giving,” Dec. 4-31, showcases exotic wood jewelry boxes, hand-painted silk scarves, limited-edition bronzes, jewelry and kaleidoscopes. Guests can meet the artists from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 4.

Heard Museum—2301 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, heard.org, (602) 252-8848. “Life in a Cold Place: Arctic Art From the Albrecht Collection,” through Jan. 3; “Mothers & Daughters: Stories in Clay,” through Jan. 24; “Harry Fonseca: An Artist’s Journey,” through April 4; and “Allan Houser: Tradition to Abstraction,” through Aug. 22.

King Galleries of Scottsdale—7100 E. Main St., Scottsdale, kinggalleries.com, (480) 481-0187. A select group of Pueblo potters shares its version of a historic Zuni Pueblo jar in “Double Vision: Reinterpreting a Classic Zuni Jar,” Dec. 3-17. Featured artists include Autumn Borts, Jennifer Moquino, Rainy Naha and Les Namingha.

Lanning Gallery—431 S.R. 179, Sedona, lanninggallery.com, (928) 282-6865. The gallery hosts its annual Michael Grant show, with an opening reception for the artist from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 4. The exhibit, which continues through Dec. 24, features his latest collection of hand-cut, all-natural stone bead necklaces, cuffs, belt buckles and earrings.

Larsen Gallery—3705 N. Bishop Lane, Scottsdale, larsengallery.com, (480) 941-0900. “Resemblance: Figurative Study,” with works by Jamie Chase; and works by Fritz Scholder, through Dec. 31. “Rachel and Maddie’s Invitational Art Show,” featuring the work of the gallery owner’s daughter and 20 of her friends ranging in age from 4 to 13, takes place from 4 to 6 p.m. Dec. 5. Proceeds benefit Free Arts of Arizona.

Lisa Sette Gallery—4142 N. Marshall Way, Scottsdale, (480) 990-7342. “Mayme Kratz: Pale Dreams” and “Carrie Marill: An Icon Is Both a Mirror and a Riddle,” through Jan. 2. Kratz constructs wall works and sculptures that encapsulate the beauty of the desert landscape, while Marill studies art history to find subjects that inspire her paintings.