Sactown's Art Gallery Picks for October

Home is where the art is: Just in time for Second Friday in Davis and Second Saturday in Sacramento, here’s our roundup of three gallery exhibits to check out this month.

Pence Gallery (Now through Nov. 10)
Reality²  
This group show displays about 30 paintings and drawings by six California artists like Arthur Bell, Pierre Merkl and Michael Kerbow. The pieces address contemporary issues and “fancifully, imaginatively and satirically comment on social problems that we have,” says exhibit curator and art critic DeWitt Cheng, such as environmental damages caused by human activity and military aggression, as in the late Benicia-based artist William Harsh’s dark, untitled painting of a tank (pictured above), which was completed before the painter’s death last October. A reception for the show takes place this evening until 9 p.m. 212 D St. Davis. 530-758-3370. pencegallery.org

Center for Contemporary Art Sacramento (Tomorrow through Nov. 14)
All Surfaces Become One
In this solo show featuring the work of Chris Manzione, the Philadelphia-based artist explores the ways that digital technology can be used to create new art forms and opportunities for viewer interaction with art. The centerpiece of the exhibit will be an array of abstract, two-dimensional prints on display at the gallery, which viewers can then see in 3-D using apps on their smartphones, creating what Manzione calls “magical windows.” (Click here to see an example of the interplay.) Manzione will be in attendance at reception this Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. 1519 19th St. 498-9811. ccasac.org

Blue Line Gallery (Oct. 17-Nov. 11)
Tao-Non Tao
Starting next Thursday, Sacramento artist Gong Yuebin will present approximately 30 new black-and-white ink paintings on rice paper based on Tai Chi principles, such as Life in Balance (pictured). This exhibit will also showcase a modified version of the Chinese native’s arresting large-scale installation, Site 2801, which includes 210 terra-cotta warriors standing in rows and was featured at the Crocker Art Museum as well as on PBS NewsHour. The updated artwork will present over 100 of the original pieces and also incorporate new elements like swaths of fabric and scattered flower petals. 405 Vernon St. Roseville. 783-4117. bluelinearts.org