Font ResizeFrances Freyberg is showing a variety of her travel photographs taken between 2005 and 2011 as well as local nature and flower photos in "Around the World in 30,000 Photographs" at the Art Gallery at the Mercy Center in Burlingame through Feb. 28.
A journey in 2008 took Freyberg to more than 60 countries. She took time off from her job in high-tech communications to visit a variety of places throughout the world and to write about the things she was experiencing. (You can read her blog at www.wheresfrances.blogspot.com.)
She hopes those who see her exhibition will be inspired by the beauty and variety found in her photographs. "Nothing compares to simply getting out and seeing the world for oneself," she says. Whether it's enjoying the "brilliance of Incan architecture" or the "full sensory experience of a Syrian souq (market)," Freyberg invites the viewers to witness some of the beauty she found.
Later in the year, she is planning a trip with her father to Japan. She also plans to participate in Silicon Valley Open Studios in May.
Freyberg is the director of development for Mission Hospice in San Mateo. Her photographs are held in galleries and private collections worldwide.
The Mercy Center Art Gallery is at 2300 Adeline Drive, Burlingame. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Call 650-340-7474 or visit www.mercycenter.org.
Mistral Restaurant is at 370 Bridge Parkway, Redwood Shores. The show is presented by Gail Sjoman of Art Liaisons. Call 650-596-0868.
California Impressions: ArtHaus opens the new year with "California Impressions," which is on view through March 30. A reception for the show will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 17.
The nine contemporary artists in the show, who have chosen California as their muse, are Carolyn Meyer, Matthew Frederick, Brian Blood, Gioi Tran, Daniel Berman, Deborah Brown, Michal Venera, Eric Engstrom and Franc D'Ambrosio.
The show is in the ArtHaus Main Gallery, 411 Brannan St., San Francisco. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays. Visit www.arthaus-sf.com or call 415-977-0223.
Diamond Awards celebration: The Peninsula Arts Council is holding the 11th annual Diamond Awards celebration from 6 to 10 p.m. Jan. 25 at the Hiller Aviation Museum, 601 Skyway Road, San Carlos. Margot H. Knight, Executive Director of the Djerassi Resident Artists Program, will be the keynote speaker.
This year's award winners are Maureen McVerry for the Arts Educator category, Music for Minors for Arts Organization, Dr. Bryan Baker of Masterworks Chorale for Individual Artist, Sean Traynor and Amanda Odasz for Ray Lorenzato Young Artist, Barbara Pierce for Arts Volunteer, Eric and Lori Lochtefeld of Fox Theatre for Local Business Support, Judy Shintani of Coastside Doctors Without Borders Fundraiser for Donor Support, Redwood City Civic Cultural Commission for Government Support and Bardi Rosman Koodrin for Special Recognition.
The evening begins with a wine and hors d'oeuvres reception and will include a silent auction, entertainment and keynote address as well as the awards presentation.
Tickets for the benefit gala and awards ceremony are $25 per person or $20 for Peninsula Arts Council members. Visit www.peninsulaartscouncil.org or call 650-591-2101.
Four photographers: Photographers Michael J. Palma, of Menlo Park; Lynne Farris Shafer, of Cupertino; Rich Hockett, of San Jose; and Sunyo Suhaimi, of San Ramon; are featured in the exhibit "Harmony II 2012" at the Peking Duck Restaurant.
The show will be on view through March 4. Peking Duck Restaurant is at 151 S. California Ave., Palo Alto. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily.
The four photographers were inspired by Richard Discheler's Previsualization Workshops, which are conducted in Palo Alto at Keeble & Shuchat Photography.
Dischler will be offering a new six-month Previsualization Workshop beginning Jan. 27 at Keeble & Shuchat Photography, 290 S. California Ave., Palo Alto. Register at www.ksp photo.com or call 650-327-8996. The fee is $599.99.
Information on visual and literary arts can be sent to Bonny Zanardi at Bzanardi@aol.com.
