HITTING THE BOOKS With a bird sanctuary surrounding her home and studio, Camille Engel has plenty of opportunities to observe birds at feeders, in birdbaths and in the trees, and frequently incorporates the creatures in her paintings. Her newest series, “Literary Roost,” also was inspired by her daughter, who is an avid reader. Pictured here is “Great Expectations,” an oil on canvas that measures 12" high x 12" wide. The piece features a Carolina wren, which is one of the artist’s favorite birds, particularly because of its beautiful song. The books she painted are purposely a dichotomy, with the top book about the Civil War, titled “A Fool’s Errand,” sitting atop “Great Expectations.” The two books give the viewer cause to ponder the titles and perhaps a deeper meaning. Engel’s work is on display in “Through the Painter’s Eye,” which continues through Feb. 11 at Scottsdale Fine Art in Scottsdale. The show also features Realism works by Jay Davenport, Randy Ford, David Gray and Karen Shapiro. A reception for the artists takes place from 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 4. For more information, visit scottsdalefineart.com, or call (480) 990-3100.

Arizona Historical Society Museum—1300 N. College Ave., Tempe, arizonahistoricalsociety.org, (480) 929-0292. “Sandra Day O’Connor: A Citizen for All Seasons,” through Dec. 31.

Arizona Museum for Youth—
35 N. Robson St., Mesa, arizona-
museumforyouth.com, (480) 664-2467. “Pattern Wizardry,” through April 4; “Galápagos: Reflections Through Photographs by Sue Cullumber,” through April 4; and “Play Ball: The Cactus League Experience,” opening Feb. 26.

Arizona Museum of Natural History—53 N. Macdonald St., Mesa, (480) 644-2230. “Therizinosaur—Mystery of the Sickle-Claw Dinosaur,” through June 27.

Arizona Science Center—600 E. Washington St., Phoenix, azscience.org, (602) 716-2000. “Robots: The Interactive Exhibition,” through Feb. 28; and “Goose Bumps! The Science of Fear,” through Sept. 6. Grownups can enjoy the center with “people their own size” during a free Adults’ Night Out, which takes place from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Feb. 5.

Arizona State University Art Museum—Nelson Fine Arts Center, Tempe, (480) 965-ARTS. “Nowhere to Hide: Three Artists in the Desert,” through Feb. 20.

Bonner David Galleries—7040 E. Main St., Scottsdale, bonnerdavid.com, (480) 941-8500. Luminous landscapes from around the world are the focus of “Heaven and Earth,” a solo show for Brad Aldridge, through Feb. 10; and landscape paintings by Claudia Hartley in “Color Color Everywhere,” Feb. 11-24, with a reception for the artist from 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 11.

BRIO Fine Arts Center—8340 E. Raintree Dr., Scottsdale, briofinearts.com, (480) 941-8310. “Scene and Unseen,” Feb. 6-26, featuring realist and abstract paintings by Arlene Meyer and Jan Giordano.

Cave Creek Museum—6140 Skyline Dr., Cave Creek, cavecreekmuseum.org, (480) 488-2764. The museum offers an extensive collection of prehistoric and historic artifacts that describe the lives of Native Americans, miners, ranchers and pioneers. February is “Authors Month” at the museum, with presentations by Clay Thompson, Feb. 6; Conrad Storad, Feb. 7; Linda Voremberg, Feb. 13; Jan Cleere, Feb. 20; and Wynne Brown, Feb. 27.

HEAVENLY Calvin Charles Gallery in Scottsdale presents “Entre el Cielo y la Tierra (Between Heaven and Earth),” showcasing works by Gennaro Garcia. The show takes place from 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 11 in conjunction with the Scottsdale ArtWalk. Pictured is “Azulada,” an oil over Italian plaster with silver-leafing. The piece measures 55" high x 30" wide, and features a handmade frame created by the artist. For more information, call (480) 421-1818.

Center for the Performing Arts Gallery—Paradise Valley Community College, 18401 N. 32nd St., Phoenix, paradisevalley.edu/cpa, (602) 787-7738. The center hosts a juried show of digital photography, through Feb. 7. A reception for the artists takes place at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 3.

Chandler Center for the Arts Exhibition Hall—250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler, chandlercenter.org, (480) 782-2683. “She’s Full of Secrets: The Beaded Artworks of Christy Puetz,” an exhibition of two- and three-dimensional works, through Feb. 27.

Colonial Frontiers—244 S. Park Ave., Tucson, colonialfrontiers.com, (520) 622-7400. “British Influence of Architectural Elements, Furniture and Pottery on the Indian Subcontinent during the Colonial Period, circa 1800,” through April 30.

Cooper’s Art Brokerage House—11 Sundial Circle, Carefree, coopersartbrokerage.com, (480) 575-6742. This new gallery represents Southwest artists and the secondary market. Paintings by Stan Natchez, Raymond Nordwall, Bruce King and Melissa Melero are on exhibit through July 31, along with metal sculpture by Jerry Harris and glasswork by Suzanne Mears.

Deer Valley Rock Art Center—3711 W. Deer Valley Rd., Phoenix, dvrac.asu.edu, (602) 582-8007. “Javelinas: Knowing Our Neighbors,” through Sept. 30.

Desert Artisans’ Gallery—6536 E. Tanque Verde Rd., Tucson, desertartisans.com, (520) 722-4412. “Delightful Indulgence,” through Feb. 7, showcases work by Tucson artists JoAnn Gourley, Marleen Holten, Pamela Howe, Ken Requard, Margaret Shirer and Jan Thompson. “Sonoran Surprises,” Feb. 9-May 2, features works by Don Carter, Nancy Cressler, Susan Meyer, Peggy Taylor and Gertrude Wait. A reception for the artists takes place from 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 12.

Desert Caballeros Western Museum—21 N. Frontier St., Wickenburg, westernmuseum.org, (928) 684-2272. A “50th-Anniversary Exhibition,” commemorating the museum’s golden anniversary, continues through March 14. “Snapshots of Early 20th-Century Arizona: A Postcard Legacy,” through Sept. 12, showcases Dr. Jeremy Rowe’s collection of photographic postcards and artifacts from early Arizona (1900-1930).

Duley-Jones Gallery—7100 E. Main St., Scottsdale, duleyjones.com, (480) 945-8475. Paintings by Jean Richardson are on display in “Desert Harmonies,” Feb. 1-28. The artist paints horses infused with motion and grace, and rich in vibrant hues.

Etherton Gallery—135 S. Sixth Ave., Tucson, ethertongallery.com, (520) 624-7370. “The Poetics of Light,” through Feb. 27, showcases work by Kate Breakey, Masao Yamamoto, and Carol Panaro-Smith and James Hajicek of Alchemy Studio.

Exposures International Gallery of Fine Art—561 S.R. 179, Sedona, exposuresfineart.com, (928) 282-1125. Jewelry by Barbara Westwood, bronze sculpture by Martin Eichinger and glass sculpture by Laurie Burns are in the spotlight Feb. 12-14. Guests can meet the artists from 3 to 8 p.m. Feb. 12 and 1 to 5 p.m. Feb. 13.

Expressions in Bronze Gallery—7077 E. Main St., Scottsdale, expressionsinbronze.com, (480) 424-7412. The gallery introduces new paintings by Douglas Aagard, with a reception for the artist from 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 25. His “Painting the Spirit of the Land” series of oil paintings captures the pull of the mountains and farmlands of the West.