This month, the art on view around the country embraces themes running the gamut from politics, environmental consciousness, moral conflict, greed, revenge and malice, power, anxiety, truth, and fear. And that's just for three exhibitions opening next week in New York. If you'd like to bathe your eyes in beauty, check out the 33 original posters created by 8 artists for Washington, D.C.'s Arena Stage. The opening reception at the Society of Illustrators is Thursday, May 24^th. Please check links for details.

NEW YORK, NY
Arena Stage at the Society of Illustrators
Thirty-three original works by Mike Benny, Marc Burckhardt, Olaf Hajek, Gary Kelly, Wilson McLean, Balvis Rubess, Mark Ulriksen, featuring 16 of the 39 posters Jody Hewgill created during her 10 year association with the Washington, D.C. theater company.
The Society of Illustrators
May 24 - June 23, 2007
Opening Reception: May 24, 5:30-8:00 pm
Illustrations below by Jody Hewgill for Arena Stage, courtesy of the artist.

Sidewalk Art Sale
Stay Gold Gallery
May 26 and 27, noon - 5:00 pm
Art, Music, Food and Drinks

Stories and Pictures
Graduates of FIT's First MFA Illustration Program
The Museum at FIT
June 5 - July 28, 2007

Nudes and Robots: New work by Vance DeGeneres
Aidan Savoy Gallery
June 7 - 30, 2007
Opening reception: Thursday, June 7th, 7-10pm

Al Fosik, Vitche, Andy Kehoe and Matt Haber
Jonathan LeVine Gallery
Through June 9, 2007

Mark Bell: Egypt Buncake
Adam Baumgold Gallery
Through June 9, 2007

Group Show: Jeffrey Brown, Allison Cole, R. Kikuo Johnson, Anders Nilson, & Daria Tessler
Giant Robot NY
June 23 - July 18
Opening Reception: June 23, 6:30-10:00 pm

Souther Salazar and Shepard Fairey
Jonathan LeVine Gallery
June 23 - July 21, 2007
Opening reception: June 23, 7:00 - 9:00 pm

Taking a Bath With the Dog and Other Things that Make Me Happy
Scott Menchin reads from his new book
Children's Museum of Manhattan
June 23, 11:30 am

BROOKLYN, NY
The Porch Show
Featuring work by George Ferrandi, Zachary Rossman, Suzanne Sattler, Kyle Field, Ryan Jacob Smith, Julianna Bright, Mel Kadel, Rich Jacobs, Erika Somogyi, Sean Samoheyl, Monica Canilao, Kelie Bowman, Florencio Zavala, Caroline Hwang, Brendan Monroe, Julie Morstad, Saviour Scraps, Jenny Hart, AJ Fosik, Jeana Sohn, Eric Beltz, Jacob Mickelson, Sto, the Polaroid Kidd, Matt Leines, Julien Langendorff, Tim Harrington, Ryan Woods, and Richard Coleman
Cinders Gallery
June 8 - August 5, 2007
Opening Reception: June 8, 7:00 - 10:00 pm

EDGEWATER, NJ
Ryan Heshka: Neo Pulp
Orbit Gallery Space
June 23 - July 21, 2007
Opening reception: June 23, 6:00 - 10:00 pm
Illustration below, Orbit: Radio Women by Ryan Heshka, courtesy of the artist.

PHILADELPHIA, PA
Greg Simkins and Naotto Hattori
Lineage Gallery
June 1 - July 1, 2007
Opening Reception: June 1, 6:00 - 10:00 pm

CHICAGO, IL
Anniversary Gala Tiki Exhibition and Party
DVA Gallery
June 23, 2007

LOS ANGELES, CA
Brodeo, featuring work by:
Bast, Cleon Peterson, Cody Hudson, Date Farmers, David Ellis, Eddie Martinez, Eric White, Evan Hecox, Kelsey Brooks
New Image Gallery
June 1 - June 30, 2007
Opening reception: June 1, 7:00 - 10:00 pm

Art Dorks Collective Exhibition
Featuring work by Shawn Barber, Robert Hardgrave, Travis Louie, Brendan Danielsson, Chris Ryniak, Meagan Ridley, Kate Ridley, Dave Chung, Anthony Pontius, Kim Scott, Jeremy Pruitt, Gregory Jacobsen, Chris Mostyn, Matthew Pasquarello, Justin DeGarmo, Joseph Daniel Fiedler, Mark Elliott, Heiko Mueller, Jason Murphy, Mike Burnett, Johnny Yanok, and Jad Fair
Thinkspace Gallery
June 9 - July 7, 2007
Opening reception: June 8, 7:00 - 11:00 pm

Group Show: Panelists 3
Giant Robot 2
June 16 - July 18
Opening Reception: June 16, 6:30 -10:00 pm

CULVER CITY, CA
Tim Biskup: Ether
Billy Shire Fine Arts
Through July 7, 2007

Buff Monster: Happy Squirter
Corey Helford Gallery
June 1 - June 23, 2007
Opening Reception: June 1, 8:00 - 11:00 pm
Illustration left by Buff Monster, courtesy of Corey Helford Gallery.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA
In the Shadow of This Fading Light We Waited
Featuring work by Michele Carlson and Marci Washington
Giant Robot SF
Through June 6, 2007

James Kochalka: Tiny Paintings 2
Giant Robot SF
June 9 - July 11
Reception: June 9, 6:30-10:00 pm