by Jospeh Sutton

(Photo:Camel Art Space, via Joseph Sutton)

1.  Zora Art Space | 315 Fourth Avenue | Park Slope
Zora Art Space is one part cafe, one part art gallery and another part performance space – a little of everything. Visitors are welcome to sip local, organic coffee while browsing the work of local artists on the walls, or to check out whatever exhibit is on view in the gallery space. Events are happening almost every day, so no matter your schedule, there’s always a chance to catch something cool at Zora.

2.  Sugar | 449 Troutman Street | Bushwick
This Bushwick gallery recently opened a new exhibit simply titled “Works of Art,” featuring the work of David B. Frye and Kymia Nawabi. The exhibit consists of both painting and sculpture, and even features a claymation video. Nawabi’s sculptures are creepily deformed, and her paintings are like bad acid trips, both unsettling but teeming with appealing color and bizarre designs. Meanwhile, Frye’s paintings are both colorful and very political, resembling large urban morals, and playful, specifically with the piece “Piss Hitler,” which incorporates images of Nazi paraphernalia alongside urination.

3.  Ouchi Gallery | 170 Tillary Street | Downtown Brooklyn
First: don’t laugh at that seemingly silly name. Ouchi (pronounced OOH-WOO-CH-I) is Japanese for “home.” The gallery features almost exclusively Asian artists, and new exhibitions happen every Wednesday. With an always-rotating selection of art, Ouchi is one to depend on for interesting and unique exhibits, and they even offer (free!) art rentals for public display – a program they call “Art Tasting.” Currently, the gallery is seeking donations of both money and art for the recent Japanese earthquake and tsunami disaster. On Wednesdays, the gallery is open by appointment only, except for that week’s opening reception.

4.  Camel Art Space | 722 Metropolitan Avenue | Williamsburg
Following their previous exhibition, “Netiquette,” which explored the building of social relationships and persona online, Camel Art Space is keeping metaphors within the digital space with their upcoming exhibit “Restore Defaults.” This group exhibition aims to discuss the contexts of objects we take for granted and emphasize them in the creative process. The gallery is open each weekend for visitors.

5.  Observatory | 543 Union Street | Gowanus
Part of Proteus Gowanus, Observatory is a space that hosts exhibitions and a myriad of interesting events. Currently running until May is an exhibit exploring the work of John Burroughs and his nature writing, organized by James Walsh—perfect for the claustrophobic citygoer itching for nature in the springy weather.
In the next month alone at Observatory, you can look forward to a great many lectures, one of which involves robot sexuality (in which your 12-year-old boyhood fantasies are realized). Events at Observatory aim to explore an assortment of topics including art, science, history and even magic. The space is accessed through the Proteus Gowanus Gallery entrance and is open from 3-6pm Thursdays and Fridays, 12-6pm Saturdays and Sundays.

(Featured image, via Camel Art Space)