Pioneer Square offers traditional to contemporary art exhibitions the first Thursday of every month, so why not venture out tonight?

You can start a mile to the east with a studio tour of the newly opened Artspace Hiawatha Lofts. Then head to the Square to check out photography by Gregory Blackstock, who is autistic, as he packs you along to vacations across 26 states. And stretch your definition of the environment with an abstract exhibition on space and planets at SOIL Gallery.

Finally, award your adventuresome art spirit with some home-style Italian cooking.

Artspace Hiawatha Lofts Grand Opening

A grand opening for a new affordable-housing project whose 61 units include space for artist studios. The celebration includes an exhibition of the resident artists' work, along with music, entertainment and refreshments.

The project's developer, Minneapolis-based nonprofit Artspace, also created the Tashiro Kaplan Artist Lofts, a 50-unit affordable-housing development in Pioneer Square.

Celebration: 4-10 p.m. today, reception 5-6 p.m.

Address: 843 Hiawatha Place S., Seattle; 206-709-7611 or www.artspaceusa.org/neighborhood/hiawatha

Garde Rail Gallery

In celebration of the gallery's 10 years, it is showcasing the photography of Seattle artist Gregory Blackstock. His work features images from vacations across the country, through amusement parks, county and state fairs and boat races. And, opposed to traditional vacation shots, Blackstock provides a different view by including strangers and passers-by in his pictures.

Reception: 6-8 p.m. today.

Address: 110 Third Ave. S., Seattle; 206-621-1055 or www.garde-rail.com

SOIL Gallery

An exhibition about personal perceptions of the environment, called "Deep Space Punctuated by Planets," featuring Matt Browning, Eric Elliott, Jonathan Hudak and Whiting Tennis.

The theme results in pieces in mixed media and found objects in rather abstract compositions.

Reception: 6-8 p.m. today.

Address: 112 Third Ave. S., Seattle; 206-264-8061 or http://soilart.org

Café Bengodi

Pioneer Square is inundated with pubs and fast eats, but this place and its sister restaurant next door, Denunzio's Italian Restaurant, will force you to slow down, sit down and savor the food.

Try the garlic bread, the pescatore seafood pasta (I don't usually finish my plate, but I was close to licking this one clean) and the homemade tiramisu. All without breaking the bank — entrées average $10. Pastas are about $13, large sandwiches (with salad) are $8 and a pizza (big enough to share) is about $12.

Dinner hours: 5-9 p.m. daily

Address: 700 First Ave., Seattle; 206-381-0705 or www.seattleslittleitaly.com/cafe-bengodi-restaurant.html.

Marian Liu: 206-464-3825 or mliu@seattletimes.com