Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University Lomita Dr. & Museum Way, Stanford University, Stanford 650/723-4177; http://museum.stanford.edu 20th-century European and American art is presented in a variety of indoor and outdoor galleries. In addition, 18 separate galleries showcase selections from the diverse permanent collection, spanning the history of art and representing a broad spectrum of cultures. Current exhibits include •William Trost Richards: True to Nature (thru Sept 26) This exhibit features drawings, watercolors and oil sketches  by this talented landscape and marine painter. • Buildings on Paper: Architectural Drawings (thru Oct 17) Features 10 architectural drawings by famous designers, including Frank Lloyd Wright. •Longing for Sea-Change (thru June 26, 2011) features a series of video works by modern artists living in Africa. • Collection Highlights from Europe, Ancient Greece and Rome (ongoing) The museum’s second-floor gallery now includes works from the ancient Mediterranean, as well as art from 16th- to 18th-century western Europe. • Mami Wata: Arts for Water Spirits in Africa and its Diasporas (Aug 4-Jan 2) explores 500 years of visual cultures and histories of the African water diety Mami Wata. Wed-Sun, 11-5, Thurs, ’til 8pm. Pictured above: This Land So Beautiful, hanging scroll by Pan Tianshou, 1959.

de Saisset Museum Santa Clara University, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara 408/554-4528; www.scu.edu/desaisset Built in 1955, the museum houses rotating art and historical exhibits. It has a permanent display of furnishings and memorabilia from the early mission period as well as Native American artifacts. Museum open during school year. Tues-Sun, 11-4.

Palo Alto Art Center 1313 Newell Rd., Palo Alto 650/329-2366; www.paacf.org This nonprofit center is dedicated to community art. Current exhibits are: • Secret Drawings (thru Sept 5) Inspired by surrealism’s power to produce unexpected artworks, this exhibit showcases the work of invited artists who were assigned a title and paired with a secret collaborator. Tues-Sat 10-5 (extra hours Tues, Wed & Thurs 7-10pm); Sun, 1-5.

San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art 560 S. First St., San Jose 408/283-8155. www.sjica.org This non-profit organization features contemporary, cutting-edge art, with an emphasis on emerging artists. Current exhibits include: •Bernie Lubell: Conservation of Intimacy; Exposed: Today’s Photography/ Yesterday’s Technology; Captured: Photography’s Early Adopters and Liz Steketee: Reconstructed Memories (thru Sept 19) See Lubell’s immersive and interactive works that combine ancient technologies with complex designs; explore the crossroads between digital technology and 19th-century photographic processes; look into the past with vintage prints from a private collection; and Steketee’s unique print series using her personal family photos. Tues-Fri, 10-5; Sat, 12-5.

San Jose Museum of Art 110 S. Market St., San Jose 408/294-2787; www.sjmusart.org As one of the gateway sites for ZeroOne San Jose, the museum is transforming its new wing galleries into a showcase for digital art. Current exhibits include: •New Stories from the Edge of Asia: Plastic Life (thru Sept 19)  showcases Pacific Rim artists who use such media as animation, video and film to weave together such dichotomies as the past and present and the local and universal. •Vital Signs: New Media from the Permanent Collection (thru Feb 6) presents works by new media artists use technology to reflect patterns of nature. •Retro-Tech (thru Feb 6) Artists repurpose and manipulate past and present technologies to create works that range from playful to ironic. •Degrees of Separation: Contemporary Photography from the Permanent Collection (thru March 14) This photo series illustrates the delicate connection between humans to each other and the world around them. • Leo Villareal (Aug 21-Jan 9) Villareal is best known for his light sculpture and architectural, site-specific works. Tues-Sun 11-5.

San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles 520 S. First St., San Jose 408/971-0323; www.sjquiltmuseum.org This unique museum features regularly changing exhibits of contemporary and traditional quilts from around the world. Current exhibits include: • Hawaii’s Alfred Shaheen: Fabric to Fashion; Grand Appliqué: Hawaiian Quilts; and Wendeanne Ke’aka Stitt (all thru Aug 8) View the first major retrospective of Hawaiian textiles and aloha wear manufactured by Alfred Shaheen; a selection of pieces by  Carol Kamaile, master contemporary quilt-maker; and modern fiber art that draws inspiration from the Hawaiian kapa cloth tradition. • ITAB International TechStyle Art Biennial (Aug 17-Oct 31) This is a juried exhibition of work by 28 artists from six countries who explore the potential of combining fiber media with new technologies in their artistic processes. Tues-Sun, 10am-5pm; Thurs open ‘til 8pm.

Stanford University Outdoor Art Stanford has a significant collection of interesting outdoor art. Tours are offered on a regular basis. For information, call 650/723-4177. For tours, call 650/723-3469. The Rodin Sculpture Garden contains more than 20 works by Auguste Rodin, including "The Gates of Hell." The Stanford New Guinea Sculpture Garden displays a fascinating collection of totem poles and other sculptures which were created by ten master carvers who came from Papua New Guinea to Stanford in 1994. In addition, works by artists such as Henry Moore, Josef Albers, Joan Miró, Alexander Calder and James Rosati are installed throughout the campus.

Triton Museum of Art 1505 Warburton Ave., Santa Clara 408/247-3754; www.tritonmuseum.org This community museum features contemporary art of the Northern California and Bay Area. Current exhibits include: •Livia Stein (thru Sept 19) This artist’s paintings embody a compelling blend of playfulness and sophistication. •Erin Goodwin-Guerrero (thru Sept 19) This artist’s hallmarks are complex symbolism, aggressive color and layered imagery. •A Child’s World (thru Sept 26) Artists revisit childhood through their own whimsical images. Daily, 11-5; Thurs, 'til 9pm.