The exhibit of ALICE NEEL's vibrant portraits organized by the Philadelphia Museum of Art opens today at the Addison Gallery of American Art in Andover, with a reception from 5 to 8 p.m. Call (978) 749-4027 for more information.

The biannual ARTCETERA auction benefiting the AIDS Action Committee is a hugely, hugely big deal in the Boston art scene. Two-hundred eighty-nine works by contemporary local artists are on display from Oct. 9 through Oct. 13 at the Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont St., Boston, prior to being auctioned off on the 14th. To get there, take the Orange Line to Back Bay.

A show of JOY EPISALLA's recent work-giant color photos of pillows, carpets and handbags mounted on plexiglass, very nifty stuff-opens today at Clifford-Smith Gallery, 450 Harrison Ave., Boston, with a reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Call 695-0255 for more information.