Francisco de Goya y Lucientes was one of the most important artists of the 18th century. His Los Caprichos series of 80 etchings, completed in 1799, was a not-so-subtle indictment of the Spanish government, the Catholic Church and society. This plate, titled The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters, was originally planned as the frontispiece of the edition. But Goya decided that although the figure of the sleeping artist bathed in the light of reason appeared innocent, some might see the bats, owl and large cat—18th-century symbols of disorder, folly and superstition—as his condemnation of the culture around him. Goya was one of the few artists to have the imagination and courage to picture the demons that everyone feared and talked about. He was also fiercely nationalistic, believing that Spain needed to rid itself of irrational thoughts and imaginary fears. His royal patron suggested he pull these prints off the market soon after he released them, to save him from an investigation by the Inquisition. Los Caprichos is now recognized as one of the greatest achievements in Spanish art. The Goya exhibition, organized by Landau Exhibitions in California, will be on view at the Ringling Museum through Jan. 6, 2008.—Mark Ormond

Art

Selby Gallery. The gallery continues the Ringling College of Art and Design’s faculty exhibition, Part I, through Oct. 13; Part II commences Oct. 19 to run through Nov. 7, with an opening reception at 5 p.m. Oct. 19. 359-7563.

Art Center Sarasota. Continuing here through Oct. 27: Seeing god, a juried show; ceramics by master potter Ki Woon Huh, and a member exhibition featuring the bronzes of Mark Anderson and the large-format Polaroids of Jayanti Seiler. 365-2032.

Art School, Gift and Framing Gallery of Colleen Cassidy-Berns. Eyes of the Beholder, featuring acrylic abstracts on canvas and hand-painted furniture, continues on view here through Oct. 31. 924-1200.

Ringling Museum of Art. Thomas Chimes and the Art of Painting, featuring the artist’s large-scale mural along with five pen and ink sketches, runs through Nov. 4. Cuba Avante-Garde: Contemporary Art from the Farber Collection opens Oct. 6 to run through Dec. 31 in the museum’s Ulla R. and Arthur F. Searing Wing; among the artists featured are Jose Bedia, Luis Cruz Azaceta, Elsa Mora and Tania Bruguera. Also on view, through Jan. 4, is Francisco Goya: Los Caprichos, a series of etchings by the great Goya dealing with themes from the Spanish Inquisition to witchcraft. 359-5700.

Tampa Museum of Art. Continuing on view through Dec. 16 are two exhibitions: Latino Voices from the Permanent Collection and Frida Kahlo: Images of an Icon, which features approximately 60 photographic portraits of the Mexican artist. (813) 274-8130.

Salvador Dali Museum. Continuing through January 2008 are two exhibitions: Dali in Focus and Traces (of the Avant-Garde) showcasing the video projections of Mabel Palacin. (727) 823-3767.

Sonnet Gallery Fine Arts. Oils on canvas by Adrian Serrano will be on view here for the whole month of October. 928-6490.

Greene Contemporary. New paintings by Brian Haverlock (Godseeker: A Return to Origins) and David Piurek (Sigmoid Society) will be on display starting with a reception at 6 p.m. Oct. 5 at the South Pineapple gallery; continuing through Oct. 27. 365-9406.

Longboat Key Center for the Arts. The Florida Suncoast Watercolor Society presents a show here Oct. 5-26 (reception at 3 p.m. Oct. 5) in the Durante Gallery. Also on view, through Oct. 23, are photos of local wildlife and scenery by Dean Lucko; and through Nov. 23, a members exhibit and gift gallery is available. Opening Oct. 26 in the Glen Gallery is Images in Color, Light and Movement, A Suncoast Glass Guild exhibition running through Nov. 26 (reception at 5 p.m. Nov. 2). 383-2345.

Venice Art Center. A plein air show featuring works by members runs here Oct. 5-20; also on view, Oct. 25 through Nov. 20, is an exhibition of Women Contemporary Artists. 487-7132.

Museum of Fine Arts. Opening at the St. Petersburg museum Oct. 6, to run through Feb. 24, is Sacred India, Sacred Tibet, religious art from both cultures dating from the 11th to 19th centuries. Also on view starting this month: Poetry of the Commonplace: A Selection of Latin American Photographs, opening Oct. 16 and continuing through Jan. 6. Among the photographers featured: Manuel Alvarez Bravo, Graciela Iturbide and Manuel Carillo. (727) 896-2667.

St. Armands Art Festival. More than 175 craftsmen display their original pottery, oils, ceramics and more, Oct. 13 and 14 on St. Armands Circle. 388-1554.

Children

Charlotte’s Web The Musical. Not for kids only, since plenty of parents and grandparents will have fond memories of this classic E.B. White tale of a spider, a pig and their unusual friendship. Onstage Oct. 4-21 at Venice Little Theatre. 488-1115.