ENCINITAS ---- To celebrate the residency of New York artist Julie Heffernan, the Lux Art Institute will open its doors Wednesday evening for a public reception.

Heffernan, who is painting a large, mythical-inspired painting at the institute during her monthlong residency, will be on hand from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday to discuss her work. She'll answer questions from the institute's director, Reesey Shaw; San Diego art critic Robert Pincus; and other guest panelists.

Several of Heffernan's paintings are also on display throughout the institute's gallery. Institute staff will also offer tours, live entertainment and free refreshments.

Heffernan's paintings are icons for feminism, religious and gender issues, as well as class structure and motherhood. They're designed in a style reminiscent of the Old Masters and usually feature Heffernan herself as the central goddess figure.

Opened last year, the Lux Art Institute sits on four hillside acres above the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Preserve and offers on-site artist residencies, arts education for local students, exhibitions and community events. One of the main features of Lux is to bring in artists who will live for a month at a time at the institute and create site-specific work under the public's watchful gaze. Heffernan will be painting on-site until April 19.

Wednesday evening's "Lux@Night" reception is one in a monthly series of free public events at the institute at 1550 S. El Camino Real. Regular Lux hours are 1 to 5 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. Admission is $10 for two visits. Call (760) 436-6611.

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