As with other exhibitions that display works of love, most of the pieces bear the tag "NFS," not for sale.

Co-curated by Paul Levitt and Carol Khewhok, the show includes work from 20 extremely talented artists: David Behlke, Brad Capello, Kimberly Chai, Chuck Davis, Jodi Endicott, Dorothy Faison, Paul Hosch, Carl Jennings, Andy Kay, Jinja Kim, John Koga, Jackie Lau, Paul Levitt, Rochelle Lum, Ingrid Manzione, Bernie Moriaz, Fred Roster, Roy Venters, Barbara Ward and George Woollard.

While the subject matter has been well mined through the centuries from Matisse's doves to Hockney's dachshunds, what makes the show extremely interesting — in addition to the sheer fun, joy and love brimming over in the works — is the experience of seeing many artists step away from their usual styles, from unusual works like those of abstract painter Levitt's portraits of his three cats and his West Highland terrier Sherman, to printmaker and watercolorist Woollard's prayerful marble bird-headed demi-torso, richly resonant with the surreal imagery of Max Ernst.

Although it's been said that you should never trust someone who loves animals — because it's likely they're of two minds about humans — this unusual show demonstrates the ancient power of the connection between pets and their owners.

Often surprising and delightful, this is a definite must-see exhibition.

Balcony Gallery

Paul Hosch, "Steinway's Fantasy," acrylic, is part of an excellent show at Hawaii Pacific University Art Gallery on the windward side. Loren K.D. Farmer

Founded by two local artists — Linda von Geldern and Endicott, together with Kailua attorney and arts supporter Libby Tomar — the well-lit and spacious three rooms of the second-floor gallery effectively display works by J. Bennett, Sharon Doughtie, Endicott, Mary Farkash, Sabra Feldstein, Karl Jennings, Ron Kent, Karen Kiefer, Ron Kowalke, Pat Kramer, Russell Lowrey, Chandra Miars, Paul Nash, Alan Ness, Noreen Naughton, Rujinko Pugh and von Geldern.

An array of media are on display, including glass, sculpture, paintings, printmaking, photography, wood and ceramics.

Reasonably priced one-of-a-kind gift items also are on sale.

The gallery also will offer a "Collectors Circle," a group of up to 15 people who want to meet and learn more about our contemporary artists in an informal setting.

A different artist will meet with members once a month for lunch or dinner to talk about their work and provide collectors the opportunity to purchase small sketches or other works.

Based on the quality of its initial exhibition and its ambitious planned programs, the Balcony Gallery promises to be one of Kailua's most prominent arts resources.

Island Glassworks

Sharon Doughtie's "Echo," a wood plate, is at the Balcony in Kailua. Loren K.D. Farmer

The heat, fire and transparency of the material are such appealing features that people become instantly fascinated by it and yearn to learn its ancient art.

In the last 40 years, glass has moved from the factory setting to private studio and is now taught at major universities around the world.

Glassblowing has become a popular activity for people of all ages at high schools, universities, and private and nonprofit studios.

After 1960, glass artists first began to work in their own studios, outside of the factory environment, in what became known as the studio glass movement.

The studio artists made use of both hot and cold glass techniques, including kiln fusing and stained glass. It is different from other glass movements, because artist and designer are emphasized.

Sometimes they are the same, or sometimes an entire team is necessary to make a piece, as with the work of internationally renowned Dale Chihuly, whose work can be seen on permanent display at the Honolulu Academy of Arts.

While the glass world used to be very secretive, through the studio glass movement, glassblowers are now sharing ideas and technical information.

Island Glassworks, recently opened in Kailua, plans to be Hawai'i's leading glassblowing studio.

According to owner Geoff Lee, the studio is the only O'ahu facility that offers not only unique and reasonably priced glassware for sale, but also beginning and intermediate glassblowing classes, with the studio available for rent to experienced artists.

Living in Hawai'i since 1979, Lee worked as a professional glassblower in Seattle, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

In 2000, he returned to Hawai'i and earned his master of fine arts degree in glass from the University of Hawai'i-Manoa.

Lee considers himself fortunate to have studied and worked with some of the best glassblowers around the world, having participated in workshops at the Pilchuck Glass School in Washington state, the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in Maine and Centro Studio Vetro in Italy.

Both established and brand new, these three galleries evidence the healthy, diverse and flourishing windward art scene.