Knock. Knock. Open the door! Opportunity has come a’knockin’.

There are many ways to start a career in the arts. One very helpful one is to get your artwork seen. If you are building a resume, you need content beyond schools and jobs. Even if your goal is in another field, having art experience gives you balance and illustrates you possess a diversity of skills.

Perhaps it’s time for a little pep talk to the budding artists out there. There is a plethora of opportunities right now.

Key points to remember: read directions carefully, keep to the theme, make sure 2D work is securely wired and ready to hang and that the frame and glass are clean. (No cobwebs. Seriously, I’ve seen it on rejected work.)

Having juried many shows, as part of a team or individually, I understand how critically work is reviewed and how close decisions can come down to minor details.

It is important, difficult as it may be, to separate yourself from your finished work. It, not you, is being judged. Rejection should serve as the catalyst to review your work honestly and try again. It is just as important to stay true to yourself.

Lake Erie College

Lake Erie College, 150 Gillett St., Painesville, opened “From WOMAN 19” on Feb. 6 in the BK Smith Gallery, Royce Hall. The public is invited to the artist reception from 1 to 3 p.m. on Feb. 22.

As the name suggests, the show is the 19th “From WOMAN” exhibit curated by Mary Urbas. Subtitled “Created by Women, of Women and About Women,” it celebrates Women’s History Month. It will be up for viewing through March 26 and includes a curator’s talk from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. on March 12.

Featured artists include Kat L. Amsel, Jen Florentine, Susan Gallagher, Bonnie J. Gordon, Keri Gortz, Becky Grasser, Amy Haggard, Laurel Herbold, Rachel Mentzer, Jill Milenski, Stephanie Miller-Davis, Beth Nilges-Nehamkin, Amie Sell and Maria Uhase.

For information, email maurbas@hotmail.com or visit bit.ly/lec-fromwoman19.

78th Street Studios

The creative businesses of 78th Street Studios, 1300 W. 78th St., 1305 W. 80th St., Cleveland, are holding their next Third Friday Art Walk from 5 to 9 p.m. on Feb. 20. The event is free and open to the public.

Resident artists open their doors for visual exhibits, demos, live musicians, a variety of cuisine and pop-up vendors. Make it an event by visiting the restaurants, bars and boutiques of Gordon Square, which also offer specials for the day.

If you are a “Twin Peaks” fan, or just like weird, cool experiences, check out their plans for Twin Peaks Market Night, 6 to 10 p.m. on Feb. 24. The RAMP level at 78th Street Studios will be transformed into a moody, red-curtained dreamscape for an immersive evening in which art, mystery, and nostalgia collide. There will, of course, be coffee and cherry pie.

For more information, call 440-503-5506 or email info@78thstreetstudios.com. Or visit 78thstreetstudios.com, where you will find a list of participating artists and businesses.

Cleveland’s Sculpture Center hosting ceramics show ‘Surface and Structure’

Stella’s Art Gallery

Stella’s Art Gallery, 38033 Euclid Ave., Willoughby, presented awards at the artists’ reception of “You Got a Friend in Me” on Feb. 13.

The show is a celebration of the magic of creative partnerships. Artist duos — friends, siblings, partners and collaborators of all kinds — were invited to work together to create artwork together, blending their styles, perspectives and media to create a cohesive piece or pairing.

“The result was powerful … elegant … truly a show of partnership,” gallery owner Dani Klein said. “We wanted to include the community in our collaborative theme, so we dedicated space in the main gallery for the public to add their own artistic expressions.”

The “space” turned out to be an entire wall, covered with a gigantic roll of paper, colorful markers and an invitation to all to help create a community mural. If visitors complete the mural before the show ends, another will be started. Stop in and help the mural grow.

Here are the winning duos from the show: Nancy Nelson Brotz and Diane Fleisch Hughes, Best of Show; Breda Fallon and Cath Smith, first place; Julie Sheil and Lorelei Hopkins, second place; and Suzan Kraus and Keegan Kraus, third place.

Be sure to check out David Simmerer’s stunning artwork in the Annex Gallery.

Next up will be “Art Inspired by Music.” Music motivates us in special ways, from classical to country, rap to rock and everything in between. Let music be your muse and get busy. One more detail: Artists must include the genre, band or song in each title.

Jurors for the show will be artist Diane Fleisch Hughes and musician Bob Hughes.

Artwork will be accepted from 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on March 5 and 6 and from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on March 7.

Here’s a heads-up on the April show, “The Four Seasons,” celebrating spring, summer, autumn and/or winter. Artists are encouraged to reflect on themes like transformations, cycles of nature, time, memory, climate, and personal or cultural connections. Literal or abstract, traditional or experimental, all media are welcome.

Get entry details at stellaartgallery.com or call 440-266-9111.

Rabbit Run

It’s time to enter the Rabbit Run Community Art Association’s 34th annual “Juried Art Show.” It’s sponsored by RRCAA and the Madison Public Library, 6111 Middle Ridge Road, where the show will be displayed from April 2 through 29.

The show is open to all visual artists in Northeast Ohio. Any high school or adult artist may submit works in any two-dimensional medium. Small three-dimensional works may also be submitted. It will be juried by Nancy Nelson Brotz, Ashtabula Arts Center visual arts director, and Danielle Klein, artist and owner of Stella’s Art Gallery.

Applications and fees will be accepted at RRCAA, 49 Park St., Madison, from March 9 through 30. Applications and art may be taken to the library from March 23 to 30. Complete details and entry forms are available at rabbitrun.org.

The Art Gallery

The Art Gallery, 38721 Mentor Ave., Willoughby, will open “Mass Hysteria: Night of 100 Wombs” with a reception from 5 to 8 p.m. on Feb. 27.

Learn more at 216-309-5572.

Geauga Park District

The call is out for artists to enter Geauga Park District’s “On the Wing…Nature That Takes Flight” community art show. Online applications are being accepted through March 12. The show will be on display from March 28 through July 26 at the West Woods Nature Center, 9465 Kinsman Road, Russell Township.

Learn more at geaugaparkdistrict.org or 440-286-9516.