Cool off without getting drenched with Frederick Pichon’s water-inspired paintings. Using tranquil blues and overlapping textures, Pichon captures the fluidity of this element in his contemporary work. Look for new pieces from this Denver native, including the acrylic Diver #1 depicting a graceful diver plunging into a pool from above. Fri 6-10 p.m.; Sat-Sun 1-5 p.m.

Discover the artistry of Italian master Michelangelo—no plane ticket to Europe required. Making its North American debut, this show will feature sculptures and paintings from this famous Renaissance artist. Not to be missed are the life-size reproductions of various scenes found in the Sistine Chapel. Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sun noon-6 p.m.

Finally, art you can appreciate with both your eyes and hands. Jen Lewin encourages viewers of her light and sound sculptures to interact with her creations, which include video curtains that reflect movement and robotic moths that flutter at the touch. Mon 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tue 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Wed-Fri 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat noon-4 p.m.

It’s time to take the studio outside. Celebrating its inaugural year, this two-day festival will host more than 125 artists and craftsmen displaying their creative fares in one of Denver’s most popular parks. From jewelry to photographs, visitors can admire and purchase a range of artistic pieces while being serenaded by live music and street performances.

Ceramics and paintings and glass…oh my! These are just a few of the artistic mediums found at this annual festival celebrating the talents of more than 270 local, national, and international artists. Don’t miss the interactive Artivity Avenue, where guests can display their creativity by contributing to a giant community mural. Fri-Sat 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sun 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Alice in Wonderland, President Abe Lincoln, and kitties: Three seemingly disjointed concepts are some of the subjects that find unity in Denver-based artist Louis Recchia’s contemporary oil paintings and collages.

Colorado's thin air is one explanation surrealist Phyllis Hutchinson Montrose gives for her far-out paintings featuring floating orbs and suspended faces. In this exhibit, the Denver native will showcase her expansive portfolio of paintings and prints spanning her more than 50-year career. Tue-Sun 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

For Argentinean artist Guillermo Kuitca, doodles and random notes create the foundations of his Diarios paintings. For months Kuitca has recorded tidbits of information and thoughts on discarded canvases. The result: A series of paintings full of abstract forms and phrases. Tue-Thu noon-7 p.m.; Fri noon-8 p.m.; Sat-Sun 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Sometimes the best way to understand history is to experience it. This exhibit of more than 100 large-scale war photographs places the viewer in the combat boots of American soldiers. From the Civil War to the war in Iraq, 150 years of American battle narratives will be displayed in both color and black and white. Mon-Sat 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun noon-5 p.m.

Cut, paste, repeat. Since the Dada movement in the 1930s, this simple cycle has produced various artworks commenting on a range of topics, from war to love.