The below is via the Missoula Cultural Council.

The Montana Museum of Art & Culture, in collaboration with the Missoula Art Museum and the Art Associates of Missoula, present Very Visual: Art Appreciation and Visual Literacy, taught by local art historian Ted Hughes.

This noncredit course is open to the public and designed for adults. It is intended for both personal enrichment and to build on the talents and knowledge of current and potential docents at MMAC and MAM. No prior background in the arts is required and students do not need to be enrolled at UM to attend. Classes will meet in the University Center Room 326 at The University of Montana Tuesdays from 4 - 6pm on February 5, 12 and 19. The class will discuss the following topics:

• February 5: The Formal Elements
• February 12: The Means of Artmaking
• February 19: Developing Visual Literacy

Cost is $26 for those who register by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 31 and $35 after.
To register, call MMAC at 243-2019 or email museum@umontana.edu.

Zootown Arts presents the Pre-School Projekt January 30 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at Rattlesnake School.

Artist Anya Vasquez will be working with artists aged 3-5 years old. Artists will create, with the help of a loved one, a mixed media project by utilizing tools and materials at different stations set up in the art studio space. Fee $15.00 Rattlesnake School Art Room. Please call to register: 549-7555

First Friday Gallery Night occurs February 1 throughout Missoula. Among the many offerings:

• Reception: “Local artists’ response to The Big Sky Documentary Film Festival” at The Catalyst 542-1337 5:00-8:00 p.m.
  
• Reception: “Morning on Emerald Lake” at the Monte Dolack Gallery 549-3248. 5:00-8:00 p.m.
• Reception: “Artists and Alphabets II” at Whooping Crones Gallery 721-3042. 5:00-8:00 p.m.
• Reception: “The Out West Exhibition: The Great American Landscape” at Dana Gallery 721-3154. 5:00-8:00 p.m.
• Reception: Desiree Manville at Gallery Saintonge 543-0171. 5:00-8:00 p.m.
• Art Opening at Betty’s Divine. 721-4777. 5:00-8:00 p.m.
• Reception: Record Contemporary Ceramic Sculpture, Woodfired at Clay Studio 543-0509. 5:30-9:00 p.m.
• Skyler Seals & Thomas Browne at Forward Montana, 736 S. Higgins Avenue, 5:00-8:00 p.m. 542.8683

The Missoula Art Museum presents its annual Benefit Art Auction

The auction takes place at the Hilton Garden Inn February 2 at 5:00 p.m. Call 728-0447 for more details.