Check out these new exhibits, opening this week in Charlotte and the surrounding area.

Inevitable Architectures at New Gallery of Modern Art: In his layered, multimedia works, artist Isaac Payne combines two creative disciplines - architecture drafting and painting. Take, for instance, his rendering of a cityscape that appears and disappears within the lines and sketches of an unfinished design proof. Overlapping paper of varying shades and brushstrokes brings the picture together as an abstract construct. You can see this and other similar works during Payne's solo exhibit at New Gallery of Modern Art. Free admission. Opening reception on March 13, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. New Gallery of Modern Art, 435 S. Tryon St. 704-373-1464. www.newgalleryofmodernart.com.

CUBA: Art of the Fantastic at LaCa Projects: Last March when the Latin American Contemporary Art Projects opened in FreeMore West, we were thrilled to have a new gallery on the block. It wasn't just a gallery, but also a platform for Latin Americans to get more involved in the art scene by having a space devoted to their cultural creativity. Now, one year later, we're still living la vida LaCa. To celebrate the gallery's anniversary, the folks at LaCa are throwing a party with Cuban music, dance and light hors d'oeuvres. The party also coincides with the gallery's opening of the CUBA: Art of the Fantastic exhibit. Free admission. March 13, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. LaCa Projects, 1429 Bryant St. 704-837-1688. www.lacaprojects.com.

Beware at Mosaic: A Lifespan Studio: ocusing on the dramatic life and death of Julius Caesar, the artists of Mosaic put their own spin on the tale using a variety of creative media, including paintings, sculptures, pottery, and jewelry. Artists' reception with light refreshments on March 14, 5 p.m. Free admission. Mosaic: A Lifespan Studio. 1101 N. Brevard St. www.lifespanservices.org.

Open House at McColl Center for Visual Art: The open house highlights McColl Center's current artists-in-residence, many of which will be leaving on March 25. Includes works by Ivan Toth Depena, Alix Lambert, Crystal Am Nelson, Jason Watson and more. For more details, visit www.mccollcenter.org/artists-in-residence/current. Current exhibit Quynh Vantu: Thresholds exhibit is still there, too. Free admission. March 14, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. 721 N. Tryon St. 704-332-5535. www.mccollcenter.org.