The evening of Friday, August 1, loads of artists, galleries, and alternative spaces will host open studios, and receptions for new or current shows. Here are a few key picks, but for a full list, visit firstfridayrochester.org and check out the art openings section of City's calendar in this issue or at rochestercitynewspaper.com.

Rochester Contemporary Art Center (137 East Avenue) will host a reception for 2014's iteration of the annual "State of the City" series. This year's exhibit features monumental installations by Ron Klein of Philadelphia and The Shua Group of Jersey City, each encouraging us to consider consumption and waste in a contemporary environment. The reception will be held 6 to 10 p.m. and admission is $1 (free to members). The show continues through September 27, and an artists' talk will be held Saturday, August 2, at 1 p.m. For more information, call 461-2222 or visit rochestercontemporary.org.

Cat Clay (Studio #242, Hungerford Building, 1115 East Main Street) will present "Fear Not: They Come in Peace," a showing of jellyfish and other imaginings by Laura Sherwood. These bits of fiber art and embroidery will be joined by Clifton Wood's ceramic offerings, many of which include delightful and cultish pop cultural references, as one in a series of Pop Up Roc one-night-only First Friday exhibits. The opening and closing party will be held from 5 to 9 p.m., and admission is free. For more information, call 414-5643 or visit catclay.com.