Donna Little is one of three metal artists exhibiting their work in the Metalworks show at The Art Center, 344 S. Main St. The Butler County Elementary School Art Show opens soon.

Several shows, exhibits and classes are taking place through February at The Art Center.

MetalworksEnding Friday is the Metalworks exhibit, featuring the creations of Michael Bestwick, Donna Little and Liz Sabol. Their artwork includes jewelry, wall art, and free-standing pieces.Bestwick worked as a truck driver and automotive technician before becoming an artist. He created paintings at first, in watercolor, pastel or pen-and-ink, but now he forms metal sculptures.Artist and metalsmith Little says nature is the inspiration for her artwork. Her handcrafted jewelry is made of pewter, copper and brass.Sabol grew up on a dairy farm in Western Pennsylvania and has studied concert piano, chemical engineering, and graphic design. She has expanded her artistic explorations into works of metal and glass.

<b>Elementary show</b>The annual Butler County Elementary School Art Show will run from Wednesday through March 7.This year, elementary school students from the Allegheny-Clarion Valley and Freeport school districts will participate, in addition to students from Butler County schools.The opening night reception and awards ceremony will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 27. Admission is free.The reception will have light refreshments and music by the Harmony Hot Haus Band.Awards include free Associated Artists of Butler County memberships and ribbons to first, second and third places in six categories:painting (watercolor, oil and acrylic)drawing (pencil, and pen and ink)pastelsphotography and digital artmixed media and collages<b>3D (sculpture, fiber art, and ceramics)</b>Submissions can be dropped off at The Art Center from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. The entry fee is $3 per student. Entry forms and gallery ID tags must accompany each submission.Complete instructions and entry forms are available at www.butlerartcenter.org.<b>Members' galleries</b>The Member Gallery 1 is showing various wooden furniture and sculpture by Bill Burkhart.Robert Williamson has his artwork painted on slate and canvas showing in Gallery 3.<b>Walk-in classes</b>Walk-in art classes will be presented for older teens and adults on Saturday and Feb. 28. Classes run from 10 a.m. to noon, and the fee is $15. No advance registration is required.The class on Saturday will feature drawing and painting basics taught by Slippery Rock University bachelor of fine arts graduate Ben Bires. Materials are supplied, but personal pencils and brushes are welcome.Eileen Stroup, who conducts the art parties at the center, will teach acrylic painting at the Feb. 28 class. Each participant will go home with a painting. All materials are provided.The Art Center at 344 S. Main St. has gallery hours from noon to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays and noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Admission is free. Call 724-283-6922.