Both coasts are poised to get new contemporary art venues.

Opening Sunday north of San Diego in Encinitas is the Lux Art Institute. Designed as California's first "green" museum, it will feature artists-in-residence creating commissioned works in a setting that allows visitors to view the process.

First in the lineup is Chilean artist Tomás Rivas, who uses drywall as a medium for his carved sculptural reliefs.

An exhibit of his work will be on display through mid-January. Information: 760-436-6611; luxartinstitute.org.

And in New York, the New Museum, the city's only gallery devoted exclusively to contemporary art, reopens Dec. 1 in its new, ultra-modern, 60,000-square-foot home on the Bowery. Information: newmuseum.org.

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