A fresh, new month in Rochester brings a host of provocative new shows and exhibitions. Here are a few of the many on my see-it list - for more visit firstfridayrochester.org or search our online calendar at rochestercitynewspaper.com.

On Friday, February 3, 6-9 p.m., Visual Studies Workshop (31 Prince St., 442-8676, vsw.org) will open "Survivors," an exhibit in which Rochester-based refugees tell their story of survival of the 2004 Gatumba massacre in Congo. The show runs through March 18, and the Friday reception kicks off "Aesthetics of Atrocity: A Public Program," a free series of lectures, videos, and panels that seek to explore the "human need to respond to atrocities through representation," per the press release.

Rochester Contemporary Art Center (137 East Ave., 461-2222, rochestercontemporary.org) will bring back its Makers & Mentors series, on Friday, February 3, this time featuring new and recent works by educator, printmaker, painter, and sculptor Robert Ernst Marx, as well as two of his artist students, Ron Pokrasso and David Bumbeck. A reception will be held 6-10 p.m. on Friday, an artists' talk will take place Sunday, February 5, at 1 p.m., and the exhibit continues through March 18. Admission is $1 for non-members.

"Extreme Materials" came down, and "Crafting Modernism" doesn't open until the end of the month. In the downtime between the Grand Gallery exhibitions at the Memorial Art Gallery (500 University Ave., 276-8900, mag.rochester.edu), the museum will present "Modern Icon: The Machine as Subject in American Art" in the smaller Lockhart Gallery. Opening February 3, the show of 25 works explores how American artists from the last century have responded to the complicated effects of technological advancement. Hours are Wednesday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., and until 9 p.m. on Thursday. Admission is $5-$12, and half-price Thursday nights from 5 to 9 p.m.

Relatively new art space JGK Galleries (10 Vick Park A, 734-6581, jkggalleries.com) will host "Photocentric," a great-looking show featuring the cast glass work of Joshua Hershman and the combination photography with slumped glass works of Carrie Zeller. A reception will be held Friday 6-9 p.m., and the exhibit runs February 2-March 23.

Celebrating its one-year anniversary is Nosferatü Studios in Anderson Alley (250 N. Goodman St., Suite 3-10, nosferatustudios.com). On Friday 5-10 p.m. artist Matté will hold an anniversary soirée at which he will debut new work, feature jewelry based on the artwork at Nosferatü Studios, and hold a raffle for signed artwork.

Need a gift for your sweetheart? On Sunday, February 5, head over to Java's Café (16 Gibbs St.) for the Hearts and Crafts Midwinter Market. Grab a coffee and shop the handmade wares of local artisans. Old favorites and new talent will offer clothing, accessories, letterpress items, décor, and more. For more information, visit heartsandcraftsmarket.wordpress.com.