What better way to kick off National Goat Cheese Month (yep) than with a little walk, a little wine, and a little bit of that coagulated milky protein whilst perusing the impressive array of artistic visions at the Pomona Art Walk. Even if you’re the dairy-free type, of course, August is still the month in which its namesake, Augustus Caesar, conquered Egypt. We’re not sure what any of that has to do with art, except that artists are always in a battle against time and passion and ego – forget about the destructive trappings of an indifferent world – and they surely understand the need to press forward into the treacherous night.

One gal who is expert at plowing herself through dangerous battlefronts is local icon Joy McAllister, who, when not wowing crowds with her sugary mountain mama serenades, produces vibrant and soul-stirring art that dares you to resist your transcendent experience. Fortunately, a few of her recent works that broke exhibit ground in the Main Street Gallery’s “Paradigm Drift” are now on display at the Metro Gallery, and it makes perfect sense, too: Pomona can never get enough of the amazing McAllister.www.downtownpomona.org

Local pride continues in a big way over at the LOFT’s “Beautiful Pomona: Ode to a Mural,” a group show curated by Joshua and Chara Swodeck featuring riffs on the Thomas Plaza mural “Pomona Envisions the Future,” a stunning project put together by Cheryl Bookout and Kevin Stewart-MaGee back in 2002 that was executed by Judy Chicago and Donald Woodman with contributions by Pomona artists Chris Toovey, Athena Hahn, Joy McCallister and over 75 others. It’s Pomona’s most impressive and famous artistic feature to date, so it’ll be fascinating to see what artists Erns Valdez, Christian Ornelas, Dan Romero, Richard Nunez, Eric Newbern, Chara Swodeck, Johnnie Dominquez, Nathan Neighbor, and Shelly Bruce come up with. www.LOFTon2nd.com

Once you drink in all of that awesomeness, bop over to Futures Collide for Gino Burman-Loffredo’s mixed media pen and acrylic works that recall M.C. Escher – but shoved through a spiritual/cultural grinder – and the Latino Art Museum hosts 11 artists from Mexico City in “Proyecto 5” in their main salon, with the works of surreal landscape artists Rigo Rivas and Ron Caraway in the west salon. Futures Collide /www.lamoa.net

The one-stop-spot for new photography, SPACE Gallery, invites you to monkey-around with "Animals!” the photography of Rich Shelby, who’ll be bringing two birds with him to the opening reception and, no, we’re not just getting all cockney slangish on you. AMOCA presents the whimsical work of ceramist Karen Sullivan for their 2013 “Ceramic Biennial” and fundraiser, and the dA Center for the Arts takes a break from ear-curdling band bookings to present Danish artist Jan Jensen’s “Making Connections” with a musical performance by LA-based Danish singer-songwriter Karoline Hausted whose tapestry of cacophonic gorgeousness will melt your soul instead of your brain. Space Gallery/www.amoca.org / www.dacenter.org

Last but certainly not least, this month’s Art Walk is also the 2nd Annual Pomona Arts Festival! Yes, indeed – spread over 10 blocks, you’ll enjoy not just the spectacular art exhibitions but also a slew of family-friendly entertainment, from Latin bands Calle 6 in Thomas Plaza and Capoeiria Angola Inland Empire on Second St., to art in the park, poetry and spoken word, and the myriad and sundry items available at the Farmers and Craft Market. Also don’t forget to ride the trolley, by golly – it’s all FREE!

Continuing shows and other events:

“PAINT! A Beautiful Mess,” the work of repurpose artist, Jeff Dulla at SPACE Gallery, Space Gallery; “Pomona/Demeter” group show at 57 Underground, www.57underground.com; dA Center for the Arts Benefit at Mimi & Lupe’s, Aug. 17, www.dacenter.org.

- Stacy Davies

A community exhibition and fundraiser featuring Southern California artists
In association with the American Ceramic Society-Design Chapter

Guest Artist: Karen Sullivan 
Judge: Patrick Crabb

August 10 - September 29, 2013

Organized by the American Ceramic Society-Design Chapter of Southern California in association with the museum. As AMOCA is located in Southern California, we feel that giving local artists an opportunity to exhibit is both a duty and a privilege. Ceramists in this area are loyal supporters and appreciators of the museum. Many volunteer for special events, for teaching clay classes, for giving tours, by donating hand-made ceramics for benefit events, and more. The pieces chosen for this exhibit exemplify the best of what the Southern California has to offer.