Atlanta Fall arts preview: Art & galleries

You can’t help but wonder what Salvador Dali would call the explosion of his works in Atlanta galleries. A nuclear-mystical proliferation of genius?

Undoubtedly it would be something catchier, considering the late surrealist is the guy who said, “I don’t do drugs, I am drugs.”

Considering the High Museum of Art’s astonishing exhibit, “Dali: The Late Work,” and shows and sales at galleries in Norcross, Oglethorpe and Castleberry Hill, there’s enough raw material to constitute a master class on a master showman who hasn’t always gotten his due.

Dali scholar Elliott King, who curated the High’s exhibition, suggests that hindsight may be the best way to appreciate how far ahead of his time Dali was. It’s not just the sheer breadth of the artist’s output, which appears in every media he could get his hands on, from breathtaking canvases that dwarf a room (such as his massive “Christ of St. John of the Cross,” on loan from Scotland, and “Santiago El Grande,” on loan from Canada) to tiny pieces of jewelry like the lips made of rubies and pearls.

Factor in his obsessions -- such as “nuclear mysticism,” his term for works that picture how science and religion might literally intersect -- and knack for self-promotion and artistic collaboration, which brought him partners as diverse as Alfred Hitchcock, Alice Cooper and Andy Warhol, and you have a prime example of an artist who was way ahead of his time. Warning: Leave yourself extra time to absorb all the smart ways the High found to provide context and details about the man and his mind.

All About Dali

Artist Trifecta. Ten works, mainly etchings and lithographs of early work, by Salvador Dali. On view and for sale, through Jan. 15. 161 Mangum St. S.W., No. 102, Atlanta. 404-388-8757, www.artisttrifecta.com/ .

High Museum of Art. "Dali: The Late Work." Through Jan. 9. Includes a host of Dali-centric events, such as film series and panel discussions, in support of the sprawling collection on view. Warning: Leave extra time to absorb all the innovative ways the High found to add context and details about the man and his mind. 1280 Peachtree Street N.E., Atlanta. 404-733-4444, www.high.org .

Oglethorpe University Museum of Art. "Salvador Dali: New Additions to the OUMA Permanent Collection." Fourteen original lithographs, never before exhibited to the public. Through Sept. 5. 4484 Peachtree Road N.E., Atlanta. 404-364-8555, museum.oglethorpe.edu .

Regency Fine Art. "The Spiritual Journey of Salvador Dali." More than 200 Dali works, on view and for sale, including complete collection of 99 woodblocks created to illustrate Dante's "Divine Comedy," and rare sculptures such as "Framed Black Mirror." Through October. 6458 Dawson Blvd., Norcross. 770- 840-7701, www.regencyfineart.com .

Of course, not everything in the metro area has a Dali tie-in. There are plenty of exhibits to satisfy a range of art lovers' interests.

Atlanta Celebrates Photography

More than 165 photo events and exhibitions will coincide at more than 125 venues, featuring more than 400 photographers showing or discussing their work. Including noted photographers Norman Seeff and Jerry Uelsmann; Grant Romer of the George Eastman House lecturing on daguerreotypes; Metropolitan Museum of Art curator Jeff Rosenheim on collecting; and the popular “My Atlanta” exhibition at Piedmont Park. See website for details.

1135 Sheridan Road N.E., Atlanta. 404-634-8664, www.ACPinfo.org .

Barbara Archer Gallery

“All Folk.” Some 30 years since the folk art boom exploded, an exhibit of work by some of the earliest and most authentic self-taught artists in the field, including Nellie Mae Rowe, J.B. Murry and David Butler. Through Oct. 2.

“Out of Context: Daniel Biddy.” The Atlanta collage artist’s mixed media “inscapes” are meditations upon and conversations with the world. Oct. 15-Nov. 13.

“Harry Ruiz Moreno.” One of Cuba’s most interesting young painters, whose dreamlike canvases mash up politics and folk tales, beauty and absurdity. Nov. 19-Dec. 31.

280 Elizabeth St., A012, Atlanta. 404-523-1845, www.barbaraarcher.com .

Kennesaw State University

“Living Treasures of Nepal: Masters of Ancient Techniques in a Modern World.” A look at new work by stonecutters, wood carvers and painters that preserve time-honored techniques. Through Oct. 11.

“Barry Sparkman: The Allusive Subconscious.” Richly swirled abstract paintings hint at other worlds. Through Sept. 30.

“Athos Menaboni: Portrait of a Painter.” A broad look at the amazing career and work of the painter dubbed “Audubon’s Heir” for his painstaking renderings of birdlife. Through Dec. 2.

1000 Chastain Road, No. 2901, Kennesaw. 770-499-3223, www.kennesaw.edu/arts/galleries .

Marcia Wood Gallery

“Family.” Photographs by Chris Verene. The exhibition coincides with the release of Verene’s second book of photographs, also titled “Family,” from his 26-year-long Galesburg series, which the artist will sign during the opening reception. Oct. 9-Nov. 4. In conjunction with Atlanta Celebrates Photography.

263 Walker St., Atlanta. 404-827-0030, www.marciawoodgallery.com

Museum of Design Atlanta

“The Art of Ichiyo Ikebana: Japanese Floral Design.” Accomplished designer Akihiro Kasuya will create a site-specific work with his son. Aug. 29-Sept. 18.

285 Peachtree Center Ave., Marquis Two Tower, Atlanta. 404-979-6455, www.museumofdesign.org

Spelman Museum of Fine Art

“Evenly Yoked: Bradley McCallum & Jacqueline Tarry.” Video collaboration and paintings from noted Brooklyn-based husband-and-wife artists. In conjunction with Atlanta Celebrates Photography. Sept. 9-Dec. 4.