Anthony's Fine Art & Antiques in Salt Lake City has purchased a rare 1863 painting of the Salt Lake Valley by Albert Bierstadt, who was renowned for his majestic landscapes of the American West. The painting depicts a summertime scene of what looks like City Creek or the Jordan River passing through the bucolic valley with the familiar Wasatch Mountains in the background. Bierstadt (1830-1902) was an American artist who introduced the beauty and grandeur of the American West to the world. His painting will be on exhibit through Nov. 15 at Anthony's, 401 E. 200 South. For more information, call 801-328-2231.

Paint your American West: Works by three contemporary Western artists are on display through next weekend at the Loge Gallery of Pioneer Memorial Theatre, 300 S. 1400 East, Salt Lake City. Western scenes by John Berry, Rob Colvin and Ron Russon can be viewed weekdays or during performances of Pioneer Theatre Company's "Paint Your Wagon." To view some of these paintings, visit www.pioneertheatre.org/about/gallery.

Learn pastels: Pastel and oil painter Margo Schulzke will give a lecture and demonstrate her techniques during the Intermountain Society of Artists monthly meeting Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Wheeler Historic Farm, 5963 S. 900 East, Murray. Schulzke has been a longtime columnist for The Pastel Journal and is regarded as an authority on composition and design. To view her work, visit www.margotschulzke.com. The meeting is open to the public. For more information, visit www.isartists.org.

Calling all Kershisnik fans: An exhibition of paintings by popular Utah artist Brian Kershisnik opens with a reception Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. at David Ericson Fine Art, 418 S. 200 West, Salt Lake City. Kershisnik's distinctive figurative works explore themes of family, spirituality, mystery and whimsy. The show will continue through Nov. 14. For more information, call the gallery at 801-533-8245.

Braithwaite show: Wilkerson Fine Art & Consulting presents a solo show by Doug Braithwaite, one of Utah's premier plein-air painters, opening with a reception Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Wolf Creek Resort, 3923 Wolf Creek Drive, Eden. The exhibit will feature new landscapes, many of them depicting scenes of the Ogden Valley. Music and dance performances will precede the reception at 4 p.m. The public is welcome. All paintings will be for sale. Contact Kris Wilkerson at 801-745-9557 or kris@wilkersonfineart.com, or visit www.wilkersonfineart.com.

Honoring Maynard Dixon: The Thunderbird Foundation for the Arts has selected Aug. 20-24 as the dates for Maynard Dixon Country 2008. This event features five days of painting in the beautiful country around Maynard Dixon's restored former home and studio in Mt. Carmel, east of Zion National Park. Artists interested in participating should send their contact information to Bruce Bell at thunderbird5252@gmail.com. Applicants must be professional painters who make their primary income as an artist. Application deadline is Oct. 15. More information can be found at www.thunderbird foundation.com.