Julie Blackmon: Domestic Vacations

Despite growing up in a place where it sometimes snows in June, I never once had the pleasure of a snow day in my adolescence. Instead I stared out the classroom windows picturing the snowball fights, sledding, and freedom that are undoubtedly part of such a magical day. So when I saw Julie Blackmon’s stunning photo Snow Day, part of her exhibit “Domestic Vacations” (through Oct. 11), I felt a special connection. Blackmon says she’s exploring the battle between our fantasies and our realities, and she renders the former in exquisite detail. You know they’re fake, but you wish they were real. In the words of one English teacher I tried (but failed) to daydream away: “They’re phantasmagoric, boy!” G. Gibson Gallery, 300 S. Washington St., 587-4033, www.ggibsongallery.com. Free. 11 a.m.–5:30 p.m. JOSHUA LYNCH
Tuesdays-Saturdays, 11 a.m. Starts: Sept. 11. Continues through Oct. 11, 2008