The arts of March in Costa Mesa

Certain Roman emperors should beware the Ides of March, but it will be a good night for Newport Mesa art lovers. Four Costa Mesa art galleries will open new shows Saturday.

• The Light Gallery

EXHIBIT: SurfBEAT

WHERE: 440 E. 17th St.

WHEN: 6 p.m. to midnight

INFORMATION: www.thelightgalleries.com

SurfBEAT brings together about 90 artists from around the world for their take on surf and beat culture with a bit of pop surrealism.

The mix of the two genres gives the show a vast breadth of subjects and mediums. Artists include Doug Dorr and Rick Rietveld and the work includes painted surfboards, carved tikis and graffiti.

Much of the work is considered art brut — art made by people outside the traditional culture. Light Gallery director Steven Borts said Southern California has many subcultures that mix and become art forms unto themselves.

“I definitely don’t want to play it safe. Art is all about taking risk,” Borts said.

• J Flynn Gallery

EXHIBIT: sanc-tu-ary

WHERE: 2950 Randolph Ave.

WHEN: 7 to 10 p.m.

INFORMATION: www.jflynngallery.com

The J Flynn Gallery’s new show features painting, sculpture and even furniture.

Works by Seco are visual interpretations of the symphony, while glass artist John Louis Clouthier pushes glass blowing to its limit.

A display of furniture made by Brett Jordan will give the gallery a homey feel, hence the show’s name, sanc-tu-ary.

“Your home is hopefully your sanctuary,” said gallery director Jack Flynn. “It’s where you go to find some inspiration.”

• The Box Gallery

EXHIBIT: Et Tu, Brute?

WHERE: 765 St. Clair

WHEN: 7 to 10 p.m.

INFORMATION: www.boxboxbox.com

The Box, a hybrid hair salon/gallery, has named its new show “Et Tu, Brute” in honor of Caesar Augustus, who famously fell on the Ides of March.

The show includes work by Anthony Mangicapra, who contributes his darkly stylized images, while Jason Ramos’ brings blasts of color to The Box’s white walls.

Jeff Claassen’s work is street-inspired, mixing media including spray paint.

Curator Johnny Sampson and director Christopher Hall said they hope the artists’ work sells.

“Don’t buy Ikea prints and put them on the wall when you can come here and see our stuff,” Hall said.

• The World Gallery

EXHIBIT: Contrasts

WHERE: 1980 Placentia Ave.

WHEN: 5 to 10 p.m.

INFORMATION: www.worldgallerys.com

The World Gallery, a space that shows what it terms “Intergalactic Fine Art,” will a host its new show featuring three California artists, including artists Jennifer Tenace and Karen Pike along with gallery director Thomas Burgard.

The three artists all have very different styles and subjects, but are from the same area.

“To do a show, you think you slap a lot of work on the wall and open the door and start selling, but we’re working our butts off,” Burgard said.

• Costa Mesa Showcase

EXHIBIT: Artist Showcase VIII

WHERE: The Crew Salon at The Lab, 2930 Bristol St.

WHEN: 6 to 10 p.m.

INFORMATION: (714) 751-0111.

The Costa Mesa Cultural Arts Committee will host a showcase of abstract art by Antoine Montini.