The Open House held last year by the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation was such a success they've decided to make it an annual event. Sunday and Monday the internationally respected research facility and archive will offer tours, talks and time to see the current exhibition, "Edward Donovan: Naturalist Artist Author and Collector."

Reservations are not required except for access to a specific collection or an appointment with a curator at the Hunt Institute in the Hunt Library at Carnegie Mellon University.

Registration opens at 12:30 p.m. Sunday and 9:30 a.m. Monday. Reading room, exhibition and department tours will be offered both days. Curator talks on "Native and Exotic Wonders": "Displaying Nature in Public" and "Bringing New Plants to British Gardens" begin at 3:45 p.m. Sunday and 3:15 p.m. Monday and are the last events of each day.

The exhibition, which comprises a sizable selection of botanical watercolors from the Hunt's collection of more than 700 of Donovan's works, is reflective of the institute's high standards and has the added appeal of a little mystery. They were part of founder Rachel Hunt's original collection, but the date and source of acquisition is unknown, as is whether or not Donovan was assembling them for a subscription series.

A naturalist and illustrator, Donovan was also a wealthy collector of natural history objects. He'd acquired nearly 30,000 individual items by 1807 when he opened a museum in London, a common practice of cultivated gentlemen of the period. His museum was distinguished by the organization of objects by the Linnaean system of classification.

Represented were British quadrupeds, birds, reptiles, fishes, insects, shells, minerals, fossils and botanical subjects that Donovan had collected within the British Isles or purchased at the most prestigious auctions of goods gathered during contemporary global expeditions.

By 1817, Donovan's finances were distressed, due to factors including England's economic decline after the Napoleonic Wars and publishers and sellers who withheld payment for his books. His museum closed. In 1822, his wife died, leaving him to tend his family alone.

Donovan died on Feb. 1, 1837. A notice in The Gentleman's Magazine cites 12 illustrated publications he authored, including a 10-volume "Natural History of Birds," and five volumes each on British fishes and shells. Nonetheless, it concludes "Mr. Donovan has left a large family in destitute circumstances."

The exhibited watercolors were created between 1823 to 1830 and represent exotic species. They are significant, the Hunt explains, because they document plants introduced to Britain during the early 19th century and contribute to the story of the complex relationships among collectors, botanic gardens, nurseries and horticultural societies.

Allow time to read the extensive and fascinating wall texts, which enrich the experience.

"Donovan" continues through June 29. Hours are 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free; 412-268-2434 or huntbot.andrew.cmu.edu.

Due to demand, a 4 p.m. Saturday performance has been added to the Three Rivers Arts Festival 4th River run of the Tony-winning play "Take Me Out." Tickets are $10 at www.pgharts.org or 412-456-6666.

The CAE Defense Fund reported last week that the Department of Justice will not appeal a judge's April 21 ruling to dismiss its case against Steven Kurtz, artist and professor of visual studies at SUNY, Buffalo. Federal Judge Richard J. Arcara deemed the government's indictment against Kurtz "insufficient on its face." The Justice Department had 30 days to respond.

Kurtz was interviewed Monday on "Democracy NOW!," a daily TV/radio news program hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez. To listen to the interview or read a transcript of it, visit democracynow.org.

Congratulations to Pittsburgh guild Women of Vision members JoAnne Bates, Tina Brewer, Elizabeth Asche Douglas and Ruth Richardson, who are among 18 artists selected by jurors Faith Ringgold and Ann Shields to appear in "Celebration of Visual Traditions: New Work of Diverse Pennsylvania Artists." One of Bates' works was chosen for the catalog cover. The exhibition opened Friday at the HUB-Robeson Gallery at Penn State, which co-sponsored it with the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. It will travel the state, arriving at Manchester Craftsmen's Guild next year.

"Mary Cassatt: Friends and Family," which comprises more than 60 works by the Pittsburgh native (1844-1926), will open Saturday at the Shelburne Museum in Vermont. Cassatt befriended Edgar Degas after moving to Paris in 1874 and became one of the few American artists active in the French avant-garde. The exhibition continues through Oct. 26. More information: www.shelburnemuseum.org.