Pictured: "Undiscovered" by Grace Howl. Courtesy of the artist.

The town unleashes a veritable feast for the eyes today with the opening of five new visual art exhibitions in galleries showcasing everything from the historical and sculptural to the modern watercolor movement. From the storied institution to the open-house showroom, art abounds on this February Florida Friday.

The Ringling Museum continues its run of high-profile international exhibits with the opening of Ink, Silk and Gold: Islamic Art from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Featuring roughly 100 pieces from the 8th through 21st centuries arranged chronologically and according to region, Ink, Silk and Gold explores the evolution of art in societies where Islam served as a major cultural force, including the great Islamic empires of the Safavids, Ottomans and Mughals down to the smaller regions of influence in Spain and southern Italy. The exhibition closes with contemporary art from living artists, such as Monir Farmanfarmaian of Iran.

On Palm Avenue in Downtown Sarasota, both Dabbert Gallery and Allyn Gallup Contemporary Art unveil their latest shows, highlighting five regional artists between them. Dabbert hosts a pair of one artist shows from James Griffin and Robert Baxter, entitled Moments of Light and Color and A Retrospective respectively. “I'm increasingly aware of the ‘Moments’ part,” said Griffin, whose work captures a world in constant flux under a shifting sun. “Trees disappear, houses are torn down and rebuilt, large condo buildings rise, shading the previously sunny streets. Things that looked a certain way when they were featured in my painting, no longer look that way.”

At Allyn Gallup, painters Jean Blackburn and Susan Klein and sculptor Joe Segal get top billing at this debut show for the newly revamped gallery space. Nature-themed and named – Ah, Wilderness – Blackburn brings her distinctive aquatic portraits while Klein showcases her singular color palette, capturing a fantastic wilderness unknown off the canvas. Joe Segal brings a visceral feel to the affair with a series of minimalist wall sculptures from salvaged lumber.

Both Allyn Gallup and Dabbert will host opening receptions with the artists beginning at 6pm.

Just down the street from Palm, Art Uptown Gallery keeps the art train rolling with a one-woman show from award-winning watercolorist Judy Saltzman, this year named amongst the annual ‘Ones to Watch’ by Watercolor Artist. Opening with an artist’s reception from 6-9pm, Just Add Water showcases the artist’s distinctive technique, in all its color and striking construction. Saltzman will also host a watercolor demonstration on Sunday, from 2-4pm. RSVP required.

And for two days only and from 4-7pm, local artist Grace Howl will be hosting a viewing of her latest work with an exhibit at Grace Howl Art Gallery entitled Dialogue in Abstract. Featuring 25 large-scale abstract works, Howl’s painting reflects a trust in the instinctive and stream-of-conscious. It’s all about being bold with no planning, she says, “because then you don’t overanalyze, just create.”

Pictured: "Undiscovered" by Grace Howl. Courtesy of the artist.