Technically, it’s fall. While we may not experience the gentle turn of seasons, we are no exception to the “Hey, it’s fall! Let’s put on some fancy art shows!” vibe of most cities.

The high points (I confess to knowing some of these artists, but it’s a small town):

The Contemporary Arts Collective (in the Arts Factory) is being very coy about Untitled, opening October 1: no artist listed, no images, no nothing. What gives? I have no solid idea, but I know the artist (shhhh), and her work is ridiculously smart. Her installations combining video and photo slyly reveal unseen dimensions of the immediate urban environment. And, of course, not telling us anything makes it that much more enticing.

Henri & Odette (124 S. Sixth Street, Suite 130) features the deliciously sensual drawings of Daniel Sameniego in Queen for Bottom (October 22-November 30). Sameniego was a highlight of this summer’s Newfangled at Main Gallery, and won first place in drawing at the Las Vegas Art Museum’s 2007 Round-Up juried exhibition. This, his first solo endeavor, should be a standout introduction to an up-and-coming local.

Also in October: Capital Jewelers (October 17-November 23) at Dust Gallery (900 Las Vegas Blvd. S. Suite 120B), organized by writer, critic and curator Glenn Helfand. Haven’t heard of him? Google the man. A “group exhibition that considers this political moment with the cultural power and visual allure of Las Vegas serving as its backdrop,” the show features artists Luke Butler, Shana Lutker, Jill Magid and local Curtis Fairman. Hot stuff, but wear your thinking cap.

October also brings James Hough Adam Morey (October 20-December 5), a two-person show at the Government Center by, you guessed it, James Hough and Adam Morey. The two artists work very differently, but both twist the nipples of traditional painting. The collaboration is noncommittally described as an exhibition “of new, human-scale sculpture.” Everyone is so mysterious in the fall.

On November 14, the Donna Beam Gallery at UNLV unveils Angels and Insects by faculty member and 2008 Nevada Arts Council artist fellowship recipient Mary Warner (through December 20). Currently a resident at the prestigious Bemis Center, Warner is simply a stunning painter. Of note: Women have been sorely absent from the roster of Donna Beam exhibitions for, oh, at least a year now. And from the looks of the calendar, it’s a continuing trend. Hey, art department: The majority of art majors are female. Who’s not paying attention?

The November offering from the Fallout Gallery (1551 Commerce Street) is Las Vegas native Tarissa Tiberti (November 21-January 3). Recently returned to her hometown after several years in New York, Tiberti makes confectionary sculptures that are alluringly baroque. As they scrutinize desire via ornamental tendencies in architecture, it will be interesting to see how the work evolves in response to Las Vegas.

Rounding out the season this December is JW Caldwell at the Winchester Center Gallery (December 8-February 2; 3130 S. McLeod). You might remember his delicate watercolor rendering of a deer-skinning from MCQ Fine Art’s Making a Living vs. Making a Killing. If that piece was any indication, this should be good stuff.

And finally, a little shameless self-promotion: Yours truly is co-curating an exhibition with Wendy Kveck at the Reed Whipple Cultural Center Gallery (821 Las Vegas Blvd. N.). On Being Good asks a number of artists, including former Las Vegan Jonnie Anderson, newcomer Laurenn McCubbin and a few of the artists previously mentioned, just what it means to be “good.” The opening reception is 5:30-7:30 p.m. September 19, and promises snacks, naked endurance dancing and your opportunity to get back at me for all of the terrible things I’ve written.