JOSIAH MCELHENY: SOME PICTURES OF THE INFINITE Cosmic questions addressed by this talented and internationally acclaimed Boston-born artist. Through Oct. 14. Institute of Contemporary Art. 617-478-3100, www.icaboston.org
MARSDEN HARTLEY: SOLILOQUY IN DOGTOWN A selection of brilliant paintings made on Cape Ann in the early 1930s by one of America’s greatest 20th-century painters. Through Oct. 14. Cape Ann Museum, Gloucester. 978-283-0445, www.capeannmuseum.org
TRANSCENDING NATURE: PAINTINGS BY ERIC AHO The first American museum survey of this gifted New England painter, inspired by both nature and painterly abstraction. Through Sept. 9. Currier Museum of Art, Manchester, N.H. 603-669-6144, www.currier.org