Wildlife paintings by David Ridge will be featured through Jan. 28 at Great Western Art Gallery, with an opening reception from 6 to 9 p.m. Jan. 7. The brilliantly hued “San Juan Cutbow” illustrates Ridge’s passion for fly-fishing and all things outdoors, which he conveys with skill in his oil paintings of wildlife and Western landscapes. The search for trout leads to visually exciting locations, he writes. He moved to Colorado in the early ’80s from the Pacific Northwest and worked in the high-tech field until the need for a more creative outlet took over. He received a graphic design degree in 1997 and mostly works in his studio from onsite color and composition studies plus photographs. About 80 percent of his paintings include water, which fascinates him. Great Western Art Gallery, at 1455 Curtis St. in downtown Denver, is owned by Hilliard Moore of Highlands Ranch. Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays; Sundays by appointment. 303-396-2787, greatwesternartgalleryllc.com.

The Heritage Fine Arts Guild of Arapahoe County will have its 37-year-old, always-strong “This is Colorado” juried exhibit Jan. 10 to March 24 at the Madden Museum of Art, 6363 Fiddlers Green Circle, Greenwood Village, with a reception from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 14. Well-known painter/teacher Victoria Kwasinski is juror, and she chose work from 97 Colorado artists. Artists also will show bin work for sale. Gallery hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

Photographers are invited to submit digital entries by 5 p.m. Jan. 25 for the 45th Annual Eye of the Camera Photography Exhibition, which will run Feb. 13 through April 3 at the Littleton Museum. Internationally published photographer Russell Burden of Highlands Ranch is juror. Up to three entries by Colorado photographers, with a $30 fee per photographer. Cash awards of $1,700. For entry brochure, which has specific instructions, contact the Littleton Museum, 303-795-3950. Entries may be submitted online, mailed or hand-delivered to the Museum at 6028 S. Gallup St., Littleton.

Magician Dan Sperry from “America’s Got Talent” will reappear at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 14 and 15 at Castle Rock’s Theatre of Dreams Arts and Event Center, 735 Park St., Castle Rock. Tickets: $20. 303-660-6799.

The International Sportsman’s Exposition, which runs Jan. 6 to 9 at the Colorado Convention Center, is perfectly timed to show opportunities for outdoor adventure travel, fishing, hunting, off-roading and more, with demonstrations, seminars and contests. A number of businesses from Castle Rock, Centennial, Englewood, Highlands Ranch, Littleton and Parker will be among more than 500 companies exhibiting. New: the Jax Mercantile Store, Orvis Fishing 101, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation rifle and gear raffle, urban and wilderness survival clinics. Youth sports fair, raptor education, sporting dog events, a 65-foot Lake Powell houseboat, archery range. Hours: noon to 10 p.m. Thursday, Friday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission: $15, adults; free to ages 15 and younger. www.sportsexpos.com or at the door. Free parking at Coors Field with shuttles. Information: 1-800-545-6100 or the above website.

The Audubon Society of Greater Denver, headquartered at Chatfield State Park, offers travel for birders, local and farther afield: Ducks in Winter Jan. 15; Raptors of the Front Range Jan. 23 or 29; Salt Air, Ocean Birds, Pacific Northwest; San Diego Bird Festival; Greater Prairie Chickens and Sand Hill Cranes (Nebraska); Mountain Plover Festival … and more to follow. Visit www.denveraudubon.org for information or call 303-973-9530.

“Griffin and Sabine and Beyond: Nick Bantock: a Retrospective” continues at the Museum of Outdoor Arts’ indoor gallery at the Englewood Civic Center, 1000 Englewood Parkway, and is highly recommended as entertainment for visiting art lovers. More than 250 artworks include originals from the “Griffin and Sabine Trilogy,” which sold millions of copies in assorted languages. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. (Closed Dec. 31-Jan. 3). Admission free. 303-806-0444, moaonline.org.

Auditions: “Stop Kiss” by Diana Son, auditions by Equinox Theatre Company at 7 p.m. Jan. 5 at The Bug Theatre, 3654 Navajo St., Denver. Prepare a 1 minute contemporary dramatic monologue. Bring headshot and resume. For appointment call director Deb Flomberg, 720-434-5245 or email info@equinoxtheatredenver.com.

A Painting Workshop and Taste of Provence June 4 to June 18, will be led by Linda Lowry, former Arapahoe Community College painting instructor and Christine Khorsand, Chair of Foreign Languages, Liberal Arts and Professional Programs at ACC. Two parts of Provence: the Riviera and the Luberon will be visited, with on-site painting and drawing instruction and slide lectures on famous artists who lived in the area, as well as individual and group critiques and visits to museums, art collections, gardens and cultural sites. Cost: $3,800, air not included. Deadline for an initial deposit of $1,000 is Jan. 28. For more information and brochure on trip details, contact Khorsand, ckhorsand@msn.com or 720-261-8452. For information about Linda Lowry, lindalowry.net, lindalowry@aol.com, 303-725-7730. (Not an ACC program). Explore the Mediterranean this Summer with Arapahoe Community College. Explore Roman and Greek influence on art, architecture, history and languages on ancient and modern urban and rural areas, May 16 to June 4. Students can earn three credits in Art History, Western Civilization or History of Romance Languages. Cost is $3,500. (Air fare and tuition not included). Deadline to apply for the Mediterranean study abroad program is Feb. 18. For more information, www.arapahoe.edu/departments-and-program/a-z offerings/2011 studyabroadtour. Or contact tour director Christine Khorsand, 303-797-5818, Christine.khorsand@arapahoe.edu.The traditional Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast at Arapahoe Community College will be 9 to 11 a.m. Jan. 17, in the ACC dining hall, co-sponsored by the City of Littleton, although the City of Littleton’s 2011 budget does not include it. There will be a charge of $15, adult; $5, children 12 and under, payable to the ACC Foundation, 5900 S. Santa Fe Dr., Littleton 80160-9002 or e-mail, foundation@arapahoe.edu.