If you live north of the Perimeter, you've got art. Lots of it is at your fingertips.

Free admission. Take your pick from classic and traditional to provocative works.

Phil Skinner/AJC

This piece by Tim McWilliams is on display at Lola Art Gallery and gifts in Historic Roswell.

Christopher Salmon

'Growth of Xs' by Christopher Salmon.

Kimberly Smith/AJC

'Tribute to the Arts,' from the ÒPlastic SpaceÓ series of Decatur artist Marcella Hayes Muhammad, is on view at the GioÕ Vairs Galleries of Art in downtown Buford.

Kimberly Smith/AJC

'Night Life Woman' is by Atlanta artist Nate Harris, who will give a painting exhibition Oct. 20 in Buford.

RELATED: • More Gwinnett news • More North Fulton news • More state and local news

We've got the 411 on galleries from Dunwoody to Marietta to Buford.

Lola Art Gallery and Gifts in Roswell

Set among the lavish galleries in Historic Roswell, Lola Art Gallery has its own persona. If it were a woman, she'd be a fiery Gina Lollobrigida-type.

Indeed, the gallery name was inspired by the song "Whatever Lola Wants," made famous by Sarah Vaughan, says owner Kristy Wegert.

Bright colors splash off artwork from every direction. But in Lola's lastest exhibit by artist Christopher Salmon, the mood shifts to spooky surrealism with "Behind the Mask."

The subjects in his paintings and drawings either wear eerie masks or have some sort of imperfection. "It's my perception of how I present myself...How we present ourselves," says Salmon, who lives in Woodstock. "We're sort of hiding our true [nature]."

IF YOU GO

• Exhibit: "Behind the Mask" by Christopher Salmon

• When: Opening party 5-9 p.m. Oct. 18 and runs through Nov. 13. (Opening coincides with Roswell's Alive after Five)

• Where: 980 B Canton St., Roswell

• Info: 404-641-7173, www.lolaartsandgifts.com

Spruill Art Gallery in Dunwoody

Count on curator Julia Fenton to challenge you with provocative art in "Language," the gallery's current exhibit.

"The language of art is sometimes subtle, sometimes blatant, sometimes confusing — but always visceral," she writes in her curator statement for the show.

The outdoor portion of the exhibit includes local artist Terry S. Hardy's "Howling and Other Justifiable Acts," which appeared at Lincoln Center this summer. Hardy created a clothesline of sorts and hung rows of pink swatches. Some appear with such words as "hallucinating" or "sobbing."

The most striking work comes from Roswell artist George Long. To create them, Long collages photo images of female body parts, then papier-maches the images on fruit and other objects. His pieces were inspired by the ordinary setting of his grandmother's North Carolina kitchen. Growing up, Long saw her plastic fruit, doilies and figurines as symbols of harvest and a woman's ablilty to conceive and birth children, he says. But Long intends for his art to go beyond that inital inspiration to challenge today's commercialism, he says.

"There's an innate attraction or repulsion to the body parts," he said. But folks who are initally turned off usually change their minds after the work is interpreted for them," Long added.

IF YOU GO

• Exhibit: "Language" includes work by four local artists: Terry S. Hardy, George Long, Jennifer Crawley and Gregor Turk. Through Nov. 3.

• Gallery hours: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday

• Where: 4681 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody

• Info: 770-394-4019, www.spruillarts.org

V Boggs Art Galleries in Suwanee

Art really is in gallery owner Vanessa Boggs' blood. Both her parents are established artists.

But if you listen to Boggs, there's not a drop of talent in her paint brush. Instead, Boggs has a knack for knowing good art when she sees it.

"I didn't play with dolls growing up," Boggs says. "I learned colors, contrast and what makes a piece of artwork balanced."

Boggs has struck a balance between art and wine at her Suwanee gallery, which turns a year old in February. Rows of fine wine bottles are surrounded by renowned artists' work.

Currently on exhibit is art by Tiffani Taylor. Her art is owned by Oprah Winfrey and fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg. Also on display are colorful works by political cartoonist-turned-painter Andy Donato and coastal watercolor paintings by Linda Lindeborg, who is Boggs' mother.

With wine tastings held every Saturday, Boggs has found that art enthusiasts love the wine and wine lovers enjoy the art.

IF YOU GO

• Exhibit: An artists' reception for new work by Tiffani Taylor, Linda Lindeborg, Jeff Montaigne and an unannounced glass artist, on Nov. 10. Call the gallery for times

• Gallery hours: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays

• Wine tastings: noon-8 p.m. Saturdays. $10

• Where: 340 Town Center Ave., Suwanee

• Info: 770-271-8448, www.vboggsgalleries.com.

BUFORD'S ART STROLL

Galleries host special events during "Art Stroll" on the third Saturday of the month. During the day, many galleries serve punch and cookies. And artists' receptions, wine tastings and live music take place at night.

On the stroll:

Gio' Vairs Galleries of Art

Last spring, gallery owner Arlesia Crooms came to Buford to check out Carisma Art Gallery for potential art space. Historic Buford's happening scene inspired her to open her own gallery instead.

Gio' Vairs – the name is inspired from parts of Crooms' children's names – is located at the former J. Reid Gallery.

Crooms showcases all original art. Her August opening included work by renowned muralist Louis Delsarte.

In New York City, hundreds of passersby see his mosaics daily at an uptown bank and a Brooklyn subway station. Delsarte was commissioned to create "Spirit of Harlem" and "The Transitions," which celebrates the Flatbush area of Brooklyn.

Crooms also features art by several local artists and vows to interpret their work to gallery patrons.

"I want people to know the artist's process and what they're trying to say," she said.

For instrance, a black and white painting "Remembering Gordon" by Lithonia artist Gerhardt is a tribute to the late photographer Gordon Parks.

An expressionist painting, "Grandpa Knows," by Lawrenceville artist Raphael Sagage was named after a nudge by Crooms.

"He didn't have a name and I thought, 'doesn't [the subject's] expression just look like your grandpa who knows everything that's going on?' " she said.

IF YOU GO

• For the Art Stroll: A paint demonstration by artist Nate Harris, live music by Nah Jai Soul and a wine tasting 7-10 p.m. Oct. 20.

• Exhibit: Includes works by Nate Harris, Charlotte Riley-Webb, Wanda Dansereau, Eleanor Neal, Marcella Hayes-Muhammed, Gerhardt and Lucious Webb.

• Gallery hours: 1-9 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Appointment only during morning hours and Sunday and Monday. The gallery stays open later during the "Art Stroll" and other special events.

• Where: 75 E. Main St., Buford

• Info: 770-945-4900, www.giovairsgalleries.com.

Carisma Art Gallery

Gallery owners Christine Truhe and Margaret Kolk have their own niches as artists. Truhe paints abstract landscapes, and Kolk restores abstract tin and turns it into wall hangings. A recent piece came from the sanctuary of First Congregational Church of Atlanta, Kolk says. The downtown Atlanta church was founded by freed slaves and missionaries in 1867.

"It's from the second sanctuary built in 1908," Kolk says. "The first sanctuary burned down. But this is still a gem."

In addition to the artists' work, the gallery showcases watercolors, pottery, jewelry and sculptures by renowned artists.

Artwork by artist and Roswell gallery owner Ann Jackson and daughter Victoria Jackson opens with an artist reception Oct. 20.

IF YOU GO

• For the Art Stroll: Opening reception at 7 p.m. for Ann Jackson and Victoria Jackson exhibit and live music, Oct. 20.

• Exhibit: Work by artist and Roswell gallery owner Ann Jackson and Victoria Jackson

• Hours: Normal hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and 6 -10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

• Where: 15 E. Main St., Buford

• Art Classes: Adult and children sessions in oil, acrylic and watercolor painting, drawing and jewelry making are held at the 5,000-square-foot gallery.

• Info: 770-271-7501, www.carismahome.com.

The Tannery Row Artist Colony

Pottery took a backseat to raising children for Judy Isaak. The potter took up her craft 30 years ago and now is back at it full time. Most days you can find Isaak in her space at the Buford artist colony.

Isaak and other artists set up studios at the old harness factory to work on paintings, sculptures and works in other media. In the hallways of the artists' haven, metal sculptor Dennis Primm created a gateway with curved metal strands attached to the white ceiling beams.

We visited on a quiet day, but Isaak says the Tannery is filling up with painters, sculptors and other colonists.

Between housing 16 artists and their upcoming "Big" exhibit, Isaak says, "We're running out of space."

"Big" opens during Art Stroll on Oct. 20. One dimension of each artist's work in the exhibit will span at least six feet.

IF YOU GO

• For the Art Stroll: "Big" reception at 6 p.m. Oct. 20.

• Exhibit: "Big" features art that spans six feet. Runs through Dec. 1. Paintings, sculpture, pottery and more will be displayed.

• Hours: Gallery hours are noon-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays

• How much: Free admission

• Where: 554 W. Main St., Buford

• Thursday Things: Art demonstrations and education. Artists and art lovers are welcome. 11 a.m.-noon. (Visit Web site for cancellation dates.)

• Info: 770-904-0572, www.tanneryrowartistcolony.com

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MORE GALLERIES AROUND TOWN

Hudgens Arts Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. 770-623-6002, www.artsgwinnett.org.

• Current exhibits feature book illustrator Wendell Minor and 60 works by the Georgia Watercolor Society.

Heaven Blue Rose Gallery, 934 Canton St., Roswell. 770-642-7380. www.heavenbluerose.com.

• The gallery, which features contemporary original art, opens a new exhibit "Soul Purpose" for the holiday season on Nov. 3.

Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., Roswell. 770-594-6232, www.roswell.gov.

• Heaven Blue Rose Gallery presents "On In Five" paintings by Faith Tatum through Oct. 30. A free artist's reception is held 6-8 p.m. tonight

Roswell Art Center West, 1355 Woodstock Road, Roswell. 770-641-3990, www.roswellclaycollective.com.

• Features shows and sales from the Roswell Clay Collective. Reception for local artist Don McCance and three potters from the Clayspace Co-op in Asheville, N.C., 7-9 p.m. Oct. 19.

Roswell Visual Arts Center, 10495 Woodstock Road, Roswell. 770-594-6122, www.roswellphotosociety.org.

• The Roswell Photographic Society Open Juried Competition and Exposition runs through Oct. 26.

A reception is held 7-9 p.m. today.

Matilda's Art Gallery, 377 S. Main St., Alpharetta. 770-754-7831, www.matildascottage.com.

• Husband and wife Mark and Mary Jane Potter's three painted cottages showcase an array of contemporary and traditional folk art by artists from around the Southeast.

Urban Art Works, 765 Mid Broadwell Road, Alpharetta. 678-267-1189, www.urbanartworksatlanta.com.

• Features colorful paintings and artwork. A wine and cheese reception and trunk show by Ohio jewelry designer Celeste Martin kicks off at 4 p.m. Oct. 26.

The Art Place — Mountain View, 3330 Sandy Plains Road, East Cobb. 770-509-2700, www.theartplace.us

• "WoodFire Pottery" exhibit continues through Nov. 2. A student holiday show of three dimensional art runs Nov. 15-Dec.15.

Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art, 30 Atlanta St., Marietta. 770-528-1444, www.mariettacobbartmuseum.org.

• A juried exhibition presented by Kennesaw State University's CAREing Center features works by artists age 50 and older, through Dec. 8. Members free. Guests $5.

Abernathy Arts Center, 254 Johnson Ferry Road, Sandy Springs. 404-303-6172, www.fultonarts.org.

• Showcases works by its art teachers and students.

Ford Smith Gallery, 10 Elizabeth Way, Roswell. 770-552-5942, www.fordsmithfineart.com.

• Painting is a true love for former fashion photographer Ford Smith. The Roswell gallery and another in Santa Fe, N.M., feature his landscape originals and prints.

Knoke Fine Arts, 25 Alexander St., Marietta. 770-514-1766.

• The current exhibit features 19th and 20th century American landscapes and still life. Runs through Nov. 17.