Benedict's reception at the new Juneau Arts & Culture Center starts at 4:30 and runs through 7 p.m. at the former National Guard Armory, 350 Whittier St.

Benedict was born in Seattle but grew up in Des Moines, Wash. He eventually moved to Juneau in 1971. He started painting with acrylics in the 1970s, oils in the '80s, and has combined oils and egg tempera since the '90s.

His latest exhibit features pieces that took a circuitous creative route.

"A few of these pictures began as tourist sale attempts, from travel magazine photos, but got altered by mental forces," Benedict said. "The rest began as conformist art - attempts at conforming to remembered fragments - that went off the tracks and months later evolved into something else."

"Solid as Dust" and the JAHC gallery opening coincide with October's edition of First Friday, when once a month visitors can sample food and art at downtown shops and galleries. Other First Friday happenings include:

Alaska State Museum, 395 Whittier St.:

Photographer Beverly Cover's show, "Entering Into," will grace the walls of the museum along with sculptor Fran Reed's "A Sense of Time and Place."

The artists will lead a guided tour of their works on Friday. Cover's tour starts at 2 and Reed's at 7 p.m. Both exhibits will run through Nov. 24.

"Entering Into" is a traditional darkroom-based, black-and-white photo exhibit that, according to Cover, explores "the artist's relationship with the natural and phenomenological world."

Reed's show features fish-skin baskets and sculptures integrated with large images of three seasons: fall, winter and summer.

Juneau Artists Gallery, 175 S. Franklin St:

Nell McConahey, founder of Spiral Studio, was inspired beyond her usual spiral jewelry designs and shell mirrors, and dived into the dynamic realm of kiln-worked glass with her latest exhibit at the Juneau Arts Gallery.

The featured artist for October will share her latest glass creations, which include wall lamps with fused glass panels, sculptures and functional glass tableware. McConahey works with found objects, natural shells, rocks, beach glass and glass shapes.

Juneau-Douglas City Museum, Fourth and Main streets:

The city museum begins a new monthly series of presentations highlighting some of the objects from its collection.

Jim Geraghty will present "1880s Voyage of the Steamship Ancon: A Presentation of Southeast Alaska Historic Photographs" at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 6. These photographs are part of the Schmitz collection, a recent museum acquisition.

Annie Kaill's, 224 Front St:

Juneau artists Asha Falcon and Colleen Goldrich present original watercolors and jewelry at the Front Street store this month.

"This show is much more personal," Falcon said. "It's a new phase in my life. I feel like the paintings are braver."

Falcon added that her 16 bright, emotional watercolors also are a return of sorts.

"It's playful, personal art that's going back to a style I was into in my 20s," she said.

Goldrich explores unusual combinations of color, shapes and textures with her freshwater pearl and silver-laced jewelry.

For more information on both artists, visit www.annieandcojuneau.com.

The Canvas Community Art Studio & Gallery, 226 Seward St.:

People can help The Canvas raise money for its new pottery room while dancing and eating pie from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5.

Pie walks, pie auctions, pie eating and performances by Rumbalaska are promised, plus the opening of a new photography exhibit, "Related Works."

Tickets cost $15 to $25 and include a slice of pie. They can be purchased at The Canvas, Hearthside Books and the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council.

Friends of Alaska State Museum Gift Shop & Gallery, 124 Seward St.:

Team Survivor Perseverance is presenting for the second year "The Bra-Dazzler," a heads-turning exhibit in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The show features bra-inspired artwork created by members of the community. There will be an opening reception from 4-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5. The show will run through Nov. 2.