First Expressions distinguishes itself from other non-profit galleries by being dedicated solely to student artwork in juried group shows. Drawing mostly on the Museum School, UMass Boston, and the Art Institute of Boston, First Expressions provides Boston's massive art student population with a unique forum for exhibition and sale. While they have not shown work by Harvard students within recent memory, they have done so in the past and VES concentrators are encouraged to give it a shot. This is also a great place for the less than wealthy to play art collector: the pieces exhibited are comparatively dirt-cheap. November's memorable show featured an enjoyable melange of photography, painting and found-object creations on the theme of "Natural Elements," promising good things to come.

Through Dec. 22: Holiday sale of prints

Jan. 8-31, 2000: "Balancing Act," a group show focusing on form, structure and design. Curated by Brendon Downey, director of Oni Gallery.

KINGSTON

37 Thayer St. (T: Broadway)

Wed-Sat: 12-5 p.m.

617-423-4113

In operation since 1982, Kingston Gallery is a non-profit artist-run cooperative exhibiting work of all media. Situated in close proximity to such prominent commercial galleries as Bernard Toale, Clifford-Smith and Genovese/Sullivan, it holds its own with substantive shows such as November's solo exhibition of Janet Hansen Kawada's powerful, near-animate creations of felt, wool and wire.

Through Jan. 15, 2000: "Twice Removed," paintings and computer-generated works by Liz Marran

MILLS GALLERY

539 Tremont St. (T: Back Bay/South End)

Wed and Sun: 1-4 p.m., Thu-Sat: 1-4 p.m. and 7-10 p.m.