As the temperatures soar, many of us are seeking cooler activities to beat off the oppressive heat.

There are opportunities to satisfy the need to stay cool and to enjoy local arts and culture this month. Next week’s Art Crawl has some shows worth seeing as do several local galleries in the area.

On Tuesday, you can attend the monthly Art Crawl which features several venues showcasing art including the University Museum, the Powerhouse, North Light Gallery and Southside Gallery.

According to gallery coordinator Cindy Howle, “North Light Gallery will host an artist reception for a ‘Midsummer Night’ show featuring artists Tiffeny and Laila Owens and Catherine Smith on Tuesday, from 6 to 8 p.m. as a part of the YAC Art Crawl. Watercolors and summer scenes are showcased in the gallery with live bluegrass music and food. Fun for everyone.”

North Light is located at 295 Highway 7 North in Oxford.

If you have not participated in the art crawl before, you simply park in the elevated lot behind the Powerhouse and walk into the gallery to enjoy the art. Grab a snack and drink while you wait for the Double Decker bus to arrive. It runs throughout the event and makes several stops including at the Museum, the Square, campus and of course at the Powerhouse.

The Oxford Art Crawl is free and presented with support by Visit Oxford, Yoknapatawpha Arts Council, Southside Gallery, the University of Mississippi Museum and the University of Mississippi Department of Art. The crawl has expanded in recent years including off site shows at North Light Gallery.

Also air conditioned and full of great art are two galleries located a little outside of the city limits. Oxford Treehouse Gallery and Bozarts Gallery both have great spaces with well curated displays and exhibits of local artists.

Bozarts Gallery at 403 Main Street in Water Valley is an alliance of local artists who help run the gallery and create the work that is displayed there. The current show, Home Economics features work by guest artists and alliance members, and the work is centered around sewing, cooking, gardening and pursuits of another era and time which we now see a resurgence of in our daily lives.

The gallery is open during the summer with limited hours, but you can call for an appointment 662-473-2484. The next reception will be held in conjunction with the Water Melon Carnival on Friday, Aug. 5 from 6-9 p.m.

The Oxford Treehouse Gallery features work from all over Mississippi including pieces by Ellen Langford, Constance Pierce, Matt Long, Richard Kelso, Walter Neill and many more. The gallery is open Thursday-Saturday 12-6 p.m., and is located at 328 County Road 418. You can get more information by calling 662-236-1667.

Stay cool and enjoy some art this month.

ANDI BEDSWORTH is owner of Art To Go, which brings free art opportunities to children in the community.