Canberra painter Nicola Dickson explores perceptions of the natural world of Australia in her latest show Voyagers' tales: Ferdinand Bauer at Beaver Galleries.

The work is inspired by the drawings of Austrian draughtsman Ferdinand Bauer​ who was aboard the HMS Investigator when it circumnavigated Australia in 1802-3.

Also opening at Beaver is an exhibition of oil paintings from former Canberran Mandy Martin. Her  work in conservation and landscape continues to drive her art practice with particular thought i recent years to climate change and mining.

A Change in the Weather explores the complex relationship between humans and the natural world.

Both shows open  Tuesday, September 22 at Beaver Galleries, Deakin.

Art kicks off

Football and art may seem an unlikely mix but a new show at the Canberra Contemporary Art Space seeks to represent the wildly varying connections that artists have with all codes in Australia including Aussie rules, rugby league, rugby union, soccer, and wheelchair rugby.

"By mingling the smell of grass and linen, sweat and paint, Footy Fever aims to connect with a far broader audience, and dispel the perceived elitism of contemporary art and the mindlessness of football."

The exhibition explores the way artists engage with football through themes of sexuality, belief, belonging, history, nostalgia, religion, war, dedication and fandom, and declares football's enduring relevance in the world of art.

The show features established, emerging and outsider artists both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, including Shoeb Ahmad, Alex Asch, Jon Cattapan, Mariana del Castillo, Dinni Kunoth Kemarre, Julian Laffan,Richard Lewer, James Lieutenant, Glenn Morgan, Louise Paramor, Meta Rothery, Daniel Savage, David Spooner, Theo Tremblay​ and Heather Koowootha.

Footy Fever, curated by Alexander Boynes, is on at the Gorman Arts Centre, Braddon until October 3. For more information visit: ccas.com.au.

Accidental beauty

Painter Stephanie Haygarth​ aims to recognise beauty in otherwise unremarkable objects and places of everyday life in her third solo show opening at Form Studio and Gallery this week.

"The subjects are so mundane that they've often remain unnoticed as I pass quickly by, but they have been momentarily transformed by a change in the light or a new angle of view so that they are remade in my eyes," Haygarth says.

"I've tried to draw out those hastily glimpsed or accidentally noticed qualities - the surprising luminosity of sun on washing or the distorted shape of a tree's shadow - to show you what it is that attracts my eye."

Accidental Beauty runs until September 20 at Form Studio and Gallery, Queanbeyan. More information at: formstudioandgallery.com.au

The point of no return

Through her ceramic work, Susan Hill explores historical figures involved in the life and assassination of Julius Caesar.

Her new exhibition at the Belconnen Arts Centre The Rubicon refers to the expression "crossing the Rubicon", which means to pass the point of no return.

Also opening at Belconnen is community exhibition Hidden Treasures where more than 50 artists reveal the treasures of their own lives from the west neighbourhoods of the ACT or beyond, across vast seas.

The artists are said to have engaged with the theme playfully, thoughtfully, radically, or somewhere in between; exploring the people, relationships, places, adventures and environments they cherish. This exhibition will build up to the celebration of Belconnen's 50th birthday in 2016.

Both shows run from September 4 to 20 at the Belconnen Arts Centre. For more information visit: belconnenartscentre.com.au.

Juggling gravity again

Two exhibitions responding to the theme "connecting to our environment" open at the Tuggeranong Arts Centre this week.

Watercolourist Ian Pryor describes his work in Pryor Again as a "reflection of the human condition to continually strive for newness and individuality".

The retired Tuggeranong GP's third show at the centre features more than 25 works, ranging in subject from "conventional flowers to abstract surrealism".

His large-scale detailed works reflect Pryor's idea that "significant things are commonly experienced up close, intensely and personally drawing us in over time".

Also opening is The Juggler of Gravity, an installation by Dan Moor, created for the centre as part of Moor's award in Sculpture in the Paddock in Yass last year.

Moor has been given free rein to incorporate some of the timber and wire components of his winning piece with interactive and mechanical components and sound in the gallery.

Both shows run from 2.30pm on Saturday, September 5 to Saturday, September 26 at the Tuggeranong Arts Centre. More information at: tuggeranongarts.com.

Cello and canvas combine

Looking for a different Father's Day activity? Cellist David Pereira is teaming up with artist Carlos Barrios for a special concert at the Ainslie Arts Centre on Sunday, September 6.

Pereira will perform 10 celebrated melodies and the Bach cello suites in C major and C minor while Barrios joins him on stage to create a series of drawings and two large canvasses.

After the concert there will be an open discussion on the nature of collaborative performances, and how much each artist is influenced by the work of the other.

Barrios is an internationally recognised painter who primarily works with figurative abstraction. When he is not working on his own practice he works as an assistant to legendary Australian artist John Olsen.

Pereira has based his teaching practice at Ainslie Arts Centre since early 2015. For My Father: JS Bach on Cello and Canvas, part of the David Pereira Presents concert series, is in the Ainslie Arts Centre from 2pm to 4pm. Tickets are available for $20 and $10 for concession from: agac.com.au.

The creative edge

An eclectic exhibition of styles and media covering a range of subjects will showcase the art of established artists Carmel Cox, Pam Edwards, Joyleen Kitto and Robyn Langley from the south coast area of Batemans Bay.

From celestial night skies, watercolours and glowing landscapes, The Creative Edge at the Bungendore Fine Art Gallery will also include "unusual encaustic art" to thrill the viewer.

Meet the artists at the official opening on Saturday, September 5 from 2pm to 4pm at the Bungendore Fine Art Gallery. For more information visit: bungendorefineart.com.au.