Pictured: "Sandpipers" by Joanne Pattison.

It’s the first Friday of the month and that means the First Friday Artwalk on Palm, where the galleries prop their doors, the libations run free and Sarasota stays up late to stroll the evening breeze with music in the air and art on the eyes. Three new shows open tonight, including an exhibit of abstract art at Allyn Gallup Contemporary Art Gallery, a selection of seasonal landscapes at Dabbert Gallery and Art Uptown Gallery’s 8th Annual Dog Days of Summer juried show.

Curated by Mark Ormond, Summer Abstractions at Allyn Gallup Contemporary features paintings, prints and sculptures from eight artists working in the abstract style, including late Sarasota legends John Chamberlain and Syd Solomon. Other participating artists include Richard Roblin, Josette Urso, Sonia Smith, David Shapiro, Helen Shulman and John Henry, whose 70-foot tall red steel sculpture Complexus stands at #1 Sarasota Tower. An opening reception with architect John Howey begins at 5:30pm.

At Dabbert Gallery, the locally famous tropical champagne punch is mixed and Dave Grimaldos Duo ready to play tonight for the opening of Sarasota Summer Scapes. Showcasing painting and photography by James Griffin, Bill Farnsworth, Robert Baxter, Julie Kasniunas, William Suys and Allan Teger, seascapes, sunsets and beach scenes of all types abound as the artists capture the light, magic and whimsy of an ideal Sarasota summer.

Not technically on Palm but not to be forgotten, just up Main and under the red awning, Art Uptown Gallery hosts the opening reception for its annual juried community show, Dog Days of Summer. Joanne Pattison takes first place this year in the 2D category with her watercolor, Sandpipers, while Susan Shaffer was awarded first amongst 3D submissions for Tropic Vessel, an encaustic monotype on clay. With a wide range of media represented, from digital art to oil to acrylic to fused glass, the community has come out in force to show what artists are still hiding in the woodwork. This year, a portion of proceeds from the show will go to Southeastern Guide Dogs. The reception begins at 6pm.

Pictured: "Sandpipers" by Joanne Pattison.