TOOTHPICK TRICKS Steven Backman used thousands of toothpicks to create the meticulous sculptures on view in the group exhibit “Uncommon Vision.” Although the works on view at Agora Gallery are abstract, Mr. Backman’s past toothpick art includes a 13-inch sculpture of the Golden Gate Bridge that took 30,000 toothpicks and two years to complete. He also made a functional radio controlled yacht out of 10,000 toothpicks. Mr. Backman is currently at work on toothpick sculptures that will be on view in a solo exhibit in the lobby of the Empire State Building next year. “Uncommon Vision” also features the work of Tarik Hardaga, Maria Del Pilar, and others. Through tomorrow, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Agora Gallery, 530 W. 25th St., between Tenth and Eleventh avenues, 212-226-4151, free. Please go to www.toothpickart.com for more information.

ROUGH DRAFTS The National Academy’s 180th annual exhibit, “Disegno,” focuses on maquettes, sketches, and other works made by artists to prepare to make a final product. Opens: Tonight, 6-8 p.m. Runs: Tomorrow through Sunday, July 3, Wednesday and Thursday, noon-5 p.m., Friday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., National Academy Museum, 1083 Fifth Ave. at 89th Street, 212-369-4880, $10 general, $5 seniors and students, free for children under 12.

PICTURING PLACE Contemporary artists explore the relationship between public and private spaces in the exhibit “Out of Place.” Fittingly, it is on display at a public gallery inside a private corporate building, and was organized by the nonprofit Brooklyn gallery Momenta Art. Works on display include Jennifer Bolande’s scale model of Lever House, Dan Graham and Robin Hirst’s text piece “Corporate Arcadias” (1987), and Craig Kalpakjian’s large-scale prints of architectural interiors, which appear to be photographs of corporate buildings but are actually detailed computer models. Through Friday, June 17, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., UBS Art Gallery, 1285 Sixth Ave., between 51st and 52nd streets, 212-713-2885, free.

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