Get Loopy

The West Loop is the place to be for visual arts fiends this evening, with gallery openings galore. Here's a quick rundown of some of the offerings:

Western Exhibitions -- which, by the way, recently moved to 119 N. Peoria -- hosts Walking Books: a solo show of new works by Stan Shellabarger, whose performance and book work addresses issues relating to the body. In Gallery 2, check out Holt Quentel's large-scale painting "'Black 3 Gesture (B/W) Rope' of 1989." Through Oct. 11. Suite 2A.

moniquemeloche features The New Escapist Promised Land Garden and Recreation Center: Rashid Johnson’s mystical, recreation space that remixes black history with references to alchemy, divination, astronomy and other sciences. Through Oct. 11. 6-9 p.m. 118 N. Peoria.

Kasia Kay Art Projects Gallery offers up Multitude, the first U.S. exhibition by Chinese artist Qin Fengling. A self-taught artist, Qin squeezes paint directly from the tube to form masses of tiny human figures arrayed in dense patterns. The works are microcosmic snapshots of China's "quarter of humanity" as it surges toward an uncertain future. Through Oct. 11. 6-9 p.m. 1044 W. Fulton Market.

Mars Gallery presents Fresh Initiative, new works by Eric Skaggs and Michael Hedges. A cash martini bar benefits the no-kill Red Door Shelter. 6-9 p.m. 1139 W. Fulton Market.

Not enough? The David Weinberg Gallery in River North hosts Who Gets What?: A Political Show, featuring artwork by The Franks, David Opdyke, Michael Ratulowski, Lisa Solomon, Sonja Thomsen, and Krista Wortendyke. Through Oct. 18. 5-8 p.m. 300 W Superior, Suite 203.

Also in River North, Aldo Castillo Gallery gives people a chance to buy art for sort of cheap-like, with The Art of Buying Art Important and Collectable Original Art under $500. Through Oct. 11. 5:30–8:30 p.m. 465 E. Illinois, Suite 160.

And if you've still got hungry eyes, head farther north up to 65Grand to check out Deadfall, Brian Kapernekas' first solo exhibition with the gallery. His new works feature paintings and painted sculptural objects that, despite their deliberately understated nature, transfix viewers with their intensity of purpose. Through Oct. 4. 7-10 p.m. 1378 W. Grand Ave. (entrance on Noble).