Artgasm: This Weekend's Art Openings, July 16 - 18, 2010

When the weather is hot-hot-hot, water is one of the top things on people's minds (right after air conditioning). But the liquid is not just for quenching our collective thirst -- it serves as muse for Greg Matchick's photographs. Find out where you can see his work, and that of many other artists, in our listings below.

Judy Steyh

Hobo, from Saint Louis University Museum of Art's Urban Wanderers.

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Belas Artes 2010 African World Festival: Colors of Africa art exhibit coincides with month-long celebration of African music, film, dance and workshops. Opening reception at 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 16. Starting July 17, Saturdays. Continues through July 31, free. Belas Artes Multicultural Center & Art Gallery, 1854 Russell Blvd., St. Louis, 314-772-2787, www.belas-artes.net.

Blink: A multimedia contemporary art exhibition featuring the works of regional artists capturing or depicting brief moments in time, as in "blink of an eye." An opening reception will be held Saturday, July 17, from 6 to 8 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays. Continues through Aug. 26, Free. Art Saint Louis, 555 Washington Ave. #150, St. Louis, 314-241-4810, www.artstlouis.org.

Diversity Arts Summer Program Exhibition: Students in the Diversity Arts Summer Program display the work they've made in the program. Public receptions at 5 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 17. July 17-22, $5 donation, www.dapstl.org. Regional Arts Commission, 6128 Delmar Blvd., 314-863-5811, www.art-stl.com.

Greg Matchick: Matchick uses water as inspiration for his photographs. A reception will be held Friday, July 30, from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays. Continues through Aug. 29, Free. Gateway Gallery, 7921 Forsyth Blvd., Clayton, 314-503-3880.

Like a Beer in Dead Lights: New work by Jason Spenser and Justin Tolentino. Opening reception from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, July 16. Starting July 16. Continues through Aug. 8, free. Concrete Ocean Gallery, 2257 S. Jefferson Ave., St. Louis, 314-497-0199.

The Ride of Your Life: Paintings of bicycling by Sonny Hartman. Opening reception from 7-11 p.m. Saturday, July 17. Starting July 17, Tuesdays-Sundays. Continues through Aug. 17, free. Grand 4140 Gallery, 4140 S. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, www.grand4140.com.

Unearthed: Artwork inspired by the natural environment and the human body. Through July 16, 5-8 p.m.; Sat., July 17, 2-5 p.m., free. Alton Artcore, 515 E. Third St., Alton, Illinois, www.altonartcore.org.

Urban Wanderers: Artwork inspired by dogs and cats saved by Stray Rescue of St. Louis; proceeds from the auctioned art benefits Stray Rescue. Opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 16. Wednesdays-Sundays. Continues through Aug. 29, free. Saint Louis University-Museum of Art, 3634 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, 314-977-3399, sluma.slu.edu.

Editor's note: If you don't see your show listed, please leave the information in the comments (and drop a note to calendar@riverfronttimes.com so we can list it in the online calendar). All art openings are free unless noted. For a full list of all ongoing art shows in the St. Louis area, please click here.