The Irvine Fine Arts Center is pleased to announce its first exhibitions of the New Year: Aries Rising and North Node. The exhibitions run concurrently Saturday, March 11–Saturday, May 20. A free opening reception with the artists is Saturday, March 11, 2–4 p.m., and is open to the public.

Rooted in the generative characteristics of spring, Aries Rising presents a collection of sculptural and two-dimensional artworks made of metal, fiber, oils, and mixed media whose sensibilities reflect an organic source or earthly source. Presented in the Center’s Main Gallery and Gallery 2, featured artists in the exhibition share a curiosity about human perception as it relates to the environment, both natural and manmade, reflected in their manipulation of material, form, and subject matter. Exhibiting artists include Renée Azenaro, Debra Disman, Sofia V. Gonzales, Mirena Kim, Zara Kuredjian, and Susan Lizotte.

Showing in the Center’s Gallery 1, the paintings and sculptural artworks presented in North Node reflect a sense of wonder, urgency, and speculation regarding rapidly shifting ecological and social patterns. Each exhibiting artist works to draw viewers’ attention to micro and macro shifts that affect the order of our lives and the habitats we knowingly and unknowingly affect. Exhibiting artists include Mirena Kim, Sofia V. Gonzales, and Susan Lizotte.

Gallery hours are 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Monday–Thursday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Friday, and 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday. The opening reception, exhibitions, and parking are free. The Irvine Fine Arts Center is located in Heritage Community Park at 1432 Yale Ave. For more information, visit irvinefinearts.org or call 949-724-6880.