APU ConocoPhillips Gallery, Grant Hall -- Karen Olanna's show focuses on images from crabbing on the ice along the coast of Nome. The show juxtaposes these images into paintings, block prints and sculpture. Opens with a reception, 5-7 p.m. 4101 University Drive. On view through January. (564-8220) APU Leah J. Peterson Gallery, Carr Gottstein Building -- A show of works by Harrison Carpenter, who expresses his experiences in Western Alaska at a location known as Tevyraq. Roughly translated, it means "to portage" and the site has been used as a passage between waters of the Yukon and the Kuskokwim for countless generations by the Yup'ik people who live there. Opens with a reception, 5-7 p.m. On view through January at 4101 University Drive. (564-8220)
Alaska Native Arts Foundation Gallery -- "Honoring my Father, Milo Minock" is a solo exhibition and reception featuring Yup'ik artist Patrick Minock. The exhibition is dedicated to the memory of his father, mother and son. His drawings depict cutting fish, hunting scenes, dancing and modernization of the Yukon and Kuskokwim river communities. Opens with a reception, 5-8 p.m. Remains on view through January at 500 W. Sixth Ave. (258-2623, alaskanativearts.org)
Anchorage Museum -- Enjoy a "Staff Picks" self-guided museum tour, admission to the museum's galleries and live jazz by Blaze and Eric in Muse. Also, a new exhibit opens -- "Gyre: The Plastic Ocean." Artist and scientist talks are planned. Opens with a reception, 6-9 p.m. Free admission. 625 C St. (929-9201, anchoragemuseum.org)
Artique Ltd. -- Oil paintings by Steven Gordon express his personal experience with nature. Reception, 5-7 p.m. On view through January. 314 G St. (artiqueltd.com)
International Gallery of Contemporary Art -- The following exhibits open with a reception, 5:30-7:30 p.m., and continue through Feb. 1: Artist members of the International Gallery of Contemporary Art feature works in this annual exhibition, all galleries. Guest Room: "Figure Studies" by Taos artist Neatha Stynes. Former New York ballet dancer Stynes is drawn to the balance and movement of the figure in space. Opens with a reception, 5-7 p.m. On view through January at 427 D St.
Sevigny Studio / Gallery -- Anne Kathrin Hansen's mosaics feature perfectly placed glass pieces to render beautiful Alaska scenes. Singer/songwriter Kevin Worrell will perform at the reception, 6-9 p.m. 608 W. Fourth Ave., Suite 101. On view through January. (258-2787)
Stephan Fine Arts -- The artworks of ASD teachers Phillip Fleckenstein and Lee Weiland are featured. Fleckenstein's original pen and ink drawings are inspired by his ability to dive deep into the intricacies of nature, while Weiland combines spiritual elements with figurative portraits in his paintings. Reception, 5:30-9 p.m. Remains on view through January at 939 W. Fifth Ave., in the Hotel Captain Cook.
Cafes&bars
Alaska Cake Studio -- See works by silk artist Joanne Noyles. New works are featured in this show, plus her ever popular Alaska birds, flowers and marine mammals. While taking in the show, enjoy Cake Studio's coffee, chocolates and pastries. Opens with a reception, 6-9 p.m. and remains on view through January. 608 W. Fourth Ave. (258-2787)
The Cubby -- Stephan Fine Arts employees will present their first employee show to benefit a lucky high school recipient of the Stephan's Sitka Fine Arts Camp Scholarship. Applications will be available at the show. All teachers, parents and high school students are encouraged to attend the show. Opening reception, 5-7 p.m. Show continues through January inside Stephan Fine Arts gallery. 939 W. Fifth Ave., in the Hotel Captain Cook.
Great Harvest Bread Company -- Nan Thompson's show, "Studies in Ice," is a collection of fiber art. Opens with a reception, 4-6 p.m., 570 E. Benson Blvd.
Midnight Sun Brewing -- "A Toast to Our Mountains" is a beer-themed art show by Scott Clendaniel. The oil paintings and fine art prints depict beer glasses with beer foam in the shapes of Alaska mountain ranges or the Anchorage skyline. Reception, 5-8 p.m. at 8111 Dimond Hook Drive.
Midnight Sun Cafe -- Andrea Flynn has been finding inspiration in the winter colors and raw beauty that have formed her birch tree collection and meditation Buddhas. Opening reception, 5-7 p.m., and remains on view through January at 245 W. Fifth Ave.
Snow City Cafe -- Hosted by the North Pacific Research Board, which conducts a photo contest every year. See beautiful images of sea life, seascapes and coastal scenes. The pieces in this show are from the 2013 contest that celebrated the culmination of the Bering Sea Project, a seven-year integrated ecosystem research effort in partnership with the Natural Science Foundation. The images represent the tremendous range of marine research that has taken place. Opens with a reception, 5-8 p.m. at 1034 W. Fourth Ave. On view through January. nprb.org)
Other venues
Alaska Humanities Forum -- A show of photographs, "New Alaskan Narrative," by Loren Holmes. Opens with a reception, 5-8 p.m. 161 E. First Ave., Door 15. On view through January. (334-224-1636, akhf.org)
Anchorage