The "Our Town" now showing at Askew Nixon Ferguson Architects isn't the Thornton Wilder play; it's a new art exhibit.

The "town" is Memphis.

Guests at the opening reception Friday night left their wet umbrellas at the door and took a watercolor tour of the Bluff City.

Two years ago, Fred Rawlinson asked his art students to capture Memphis. He wanted to see what the city looked like through the eyes of artists. They could choose sites within the city limits. Subjects included the Memphis Zoo, Elmwood Cemetery and Beale Street.

Fred got in the act, too; he painted a view of the Mississippi River from the National Ornamental Metal Museum.

Praising Fred, student Mary DeBenedictis said, "He's real quick to tell us if we're on the right track."

"Our Town" runs through Aug. 27.

Pure vibes from Costa Rica

More Memphis images -- and some of Costa Rica -- are on view in Amy Hutcheson's exhibit at Eclectic Eye Showroom at 242 S. Cooper.

Her show, "Pura Vida," opened with a reception Friday night.

Amy was struck with the phrase "pura vida" or "pure life" while she vacationed last June in Costa Rica.

"People live primal," she said. "They surf all day."

When they work, they "work to live how they want to live."

She didn't want to let go of that feeling after she returned to Memphis.

"When I came home I was trying to maintain that vibe," she said. "Such a free way of living. So basic and so peaceful. How long can I maintain this here and not let the noise and crime infect it?"

So far, the good- good- good-good vibration hasn't left Amy. "I'm still kind of on it."

"Pura Vida" is on view through Oct. 8.

Ultimate Elvis fan remembered

The late Phyllis Presley Collas, a longtime Elvis fan and friend of the Presley family, was remembered at the recent Phyllis Presley Collas Memorial St. Jude Charity Auction at Marlowe's Restaurant.

The goal was $1,000, but the auction raised $1,750, said Charlynn Presley, who chaired the event with Beth Butts and Addison Hare. Charlynn, who is married to Frank Presley, said her husband's grandfather and Elvis' dad, Vernon Presley, were cousins.

Victor Trevino, one of the contestants in the Ultimate Elvis contest, checked out the auction items with his wife, Jessica.

Victor, 23, portrays the young Elvis from pompadoured head to toe. He either wears white loafers or black-and-white shoes. He also wears white socks or an Elvis favorite -- argyles. "You can get them at Wal-Mart now," he said.

To see party videos and more party pictures, go to gomemphis.com. Contact Michael Donahue at 529-2797 or e-mail donahue@commercialappeal.com.