First Thursday art walk has a focus on the feminine

It's time for the First Thursday art walk to kick off a new month of exhibitions tonight. In downtown Seattle and Pioneer Square galleries this month, you can explore the feminine mystique.

Various artists canvass the female body, identity, sexuality and spirit. There are also pieces by female artists on emotion and expression. And be sure to catch the exhibit at Benham Gallery on the ultimate female ... Mother Earth.

Greg Kucera Gallery

"Women Are Beautiful": Seattle artist Alice Wheeler makes a statement about the public sensuality of contemporary women, captured by the photographer as women go about their business at festivals, parties or simply on the street.

Reception: 6-8 tonight, with an artist talk at 5:30 p.m., at 212 Third Ave. S., Seattle (206-624-0770 or www.gregkucera.com).

Gallery4Culture

"has been:becoming": Seattle-based installation artist Jennifer Towner explores the identity of an "almost" middle-aged, single and childless woman. She works with themes of memory, body image, relationship and the reproductive clock.

Reception: 6-8 p.m. today at 101 Prefontaine Place S., Seattle (206-296-7580 or www.4culture.org/publicart/gallery/index.htm).

Davidson Galleries

"The Probability of Resemblance": Oregon sculptor M.J. Anderson carves female torsos out of stone, marble and travertine to bring out the imperfections of the human body and to reflect on the essence of the human spirit.

Reception: 6-8 p.m. today at 313 Occidental Ave. S, Seattle (206-624-7684 or www.davidsongalleries.com).

Benham Gallery

"Sustainability / Sostenibilidad": This group exhibit — led by award-winning Spanish photographer Daniel Beltrá — is a photographic and literary expression of the need for earth's citizens to sustain its many cultures.

Reception: 6-8 p.m. today, 1216 First Ave., Seattle (206-622-2480 or www.benhamgallery.com).

Gallery I|M|A

"Facing the Future": Seattle artist Carol Milne explores emotions through various glass sculptures. Each piece displays an emotion, from apprehension to endurance, in response to the challenging economy and future.

"The Progression of an Artist": Seattle painter Ann Vandervelde creates bold colorful pieces in acrylic with layers of oil pastel and collage that reflect her travels and the changing seasons. Vandervelde also works with her mother, a poet, to match up the paintings with words of art.

Reception: 6-8 p.m. today, 123 Jackson St., Seattle (206-625-0055 or www.galleryima.com).

SOIL

"Curious Silence": In this group exhibit, the artists worked on various media in silence, letting their art speak on their behalf. They reflected on postmodern femininity, with influences like political activist and feminist icon Gloria Steinem.

Reception: 6-8 p.m. today, 112 Third Ave. S., Seattle (206-264-8061 or http://soilart.org).

Marian Liu: 206-464-3825 or mliu@seattletimes.com