‘INCHES FROM THE EARTH’

or craftsman’s sculptural effort. In fact, nature and art exist at odds, the one being natural, the other artificial. Yet we will not and seemingly cannot stop ourselves from emulating, imitating or describing nature. In this exhibition, for instance, a piece of surpassing beauty like “Hellebore,” by Sherri Jaudés, a sort of shadow box that features the titular bloom with several attendant bees, succeeds in eloquently expressing the sense of life and death, of stasis and movement, the nobility and elegance of nature, but in a highly contrived and artful manner. How else, this exhibition asks, could it ever be? Through July 10 at the National Ornamental Metal Museum, 374 Metal Museum Drive. Call 901-774-6380, or visit metalmuseum.org. Annesdale Park Gallery, 1290 Peabody: Elizabeth Garat and Jana Travis: “Place Keepers,” through May 14. Opening reception 6-8 p.m. Friday. Paintings. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, and by appointment. 901-208-6451. theannesdaleparkgallery.com Clough-hanson Gallery (Rhodes College), 2000 North Parkway: “2016 Senior Thesis Exhibition,” 5-7 p.m. Friday. 901-843-3442. Eclectic Eye, 242 S. Cooper: Melissa Bridgman: “Sea and Stone: ceramics and sketches,” through June 8. Opening reception 6-8 p.m. Friday. 901276-3937. eclectic-eye.com Frame Corner, 5056 Park: Debbie Richmond: “Out of Africa” opening reception 5:30-8 p.m. Thursday. Over 30 paintings and scenes from the artist’s latest safari in Africa and other adventures. Call 901-6829901. debbierichmondart.com Germantown Performing Arts Center, 1801 Exeter Road, Germantown: Karen Pulfer Focht: “The Time Catcher,” through May 1. Artist reception 4-6 p.m. Sunday. Photo exhibit and art sale featuring Focht, former award-winning staff photojournalist for The Commercial Appeal. 901-7517500. karenpulferfocht.com David Lusk GalleryMemphis, 97 Tillman: Pinkney Herbert: “Knotty Time” and Bruce Brainard: “A Brightness of Hope,” through May 14. Opening 6-8 p.m. Friday. Brainard talk, 11 a.m. Saturday. Herbert talk, 11 a.m. May 7. Gallery hours: 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. 901-7673800. davidluskgallery.com Memphis College of Art’s Nesin Graduate School, 477 S. Main: “Hueman: MFA Thesis Exhibition,” Monday through May 7 in Hyde Gallery. Reception 6-9 p.m. April 29. A variety of work from nine MFA candidates — from photographic prints and digitally manipulated paintings, to large-scale paintings and hanging installations. Gallery hours: noon-5 p.m. Monday through Friday; noon-7 p.m. Saturday. 901-272-5100. mca. edu