October at the Pence Gallery brings back an artist with roots in Davis, and introduces the work of an international artist to the local scene.

* Terry Peterson is a professor of art at Sacramento City College, and received his MFA from UC Davis. His exhibit title, Anadromous, is used to describe the migration of fish up river from the sea to spawn.

Peterson grew up in the Fort Bragg region, and fishing, hunting and being outdoors was a large part of his formative years. In fact, every piece in the exhibit has some natural object in it — whether it’s a bird skeleton, a mummified fish or wood from a particular region.

What he has crafted out of wood and plexiglass, and with a thousand other materials, is a world where his sculptures almost seem alive. They rotate, breathe and make noise, and are further activated by video projection.

In order to maximize the video projection, he’s darkened the room completely, so that it’s lit by just a few small lights. In all, his work comments on the there and back again of his artistic process, as he delves into subjects that have particular resonance for him, and keep reoccurring.

It’s fascinating how much his work reflects both on his own experiences as an individual, and how much this relates to larger cyclical forces of birth, life, death and renewal.

Stop by to meet Peterson during our artist reception on Friday, Oct. 13, from 6 to 9 p.m. His exhibit is up from Sept. 30 through Nov. 8. This exhibit is sponsored by Chris and Dana Daubert.

During his exhibition at the Pence, Peterson will teach two workshops. To register, email [email protected] or call 530-758-3370.

In the first workshop on Saturday, Oct. 21, from 1 to 5 p.m., titled “Hybrid Creatures,” Peterson will give a free talk about his interactive sculptures, then students will learn to use cardboard in ways they never imaged to create a hybrid kinetic animal sculpture, which will be animated by incorporating hacked remote control car parts.

This workshop is designed for artists ages 8 to 13. The cost is $5 each.

For his second workshop on Sunday, Oct. 22, from 1 to 5 p.m., titled “Stop Motion Videos,” Peterson will challenge teens and adults alike to see beyond reality as they create abstract stop-motion videos using smartphones, clay and everyday materials. Participants will create a full video from start to finish and show off their work to the class.

This workshop costs $5, and is great for artists ages 13 to adult.

* In our Main Gallery, a vibrant display of paintings and porcelain by Shimo, titled “Dualities,” is on display from Sept. 30 through Nov. 15, with a reception Oct. 13 from 6 to 9 p.m. Hailing from Shanghai, Shimo is one of China’s most respected and well-known artists.

In this exhibit, the artist pairs his recent landscape paintings with his elegant blue and white porcelain vases. By adapting well-established Chinese painting techniques, Shimo strives to infuse his nature-inspired themes with contemporary design.

His self-crafted multi-layer dripping-ink technique involves a variety of drips, stains, pours and mopping with large brushes across the surface. In all, Shimo’s work is a conscious melding of traditional Chinese painting and ceramics with new painterly methods of working with materials in a gestural, expressionist way.

This exhibit is sponsored by Kit and Bonnie Lam, Ron and Rosie Soohoo, Don Yee and Frances Leung, Linda Tsao Yang and Terence Leung.

The Pence is also hosting a Make Stuff! hands-on art workshop with Shimo on Saturday, Oct. 14, from 1 to 4 p.m. Shimo will demonstrate his own style of painting in an Ink Brush Painting Workshop. The workshop is free, and is great for artists ages 15 through adult.

During the workshop, students will learn about Chinese ink painting and the connection to Shimo’s current work. He will demonstrate simple techniques of using sticks, brushes and other objects to paint.

Artists will learn how to use traditional Chinese brushes with ink and paint to create delicate paintings of natural objects, such as lotus flowers and branches. Register by emailing [email protected] or calling 530-758-3370. Make Stuff! programs are funded by a city of Davis arts contract.

* Marilyn Rose’s still-life paintings are joined by her beautiful depictions of musicians in action, as well as landscapes, in “Milestones,” on display upstairs at the Pence, Oct. 6-29. Rose also will be present during the Oct. 13 reception.

Music by Drivin South Trio will entertain visitors from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

— Natalie Nelson is director and curator of the Pence Gallery, 212 D St. in downtown Davis. Her column is published monthly.