Miller artist Shari Pettis doesn't take her hours away from her work week as the administrative assistant for South Shore Arts lightly.

"Even though I have a 9 to 5 job, I like to think of myself as a full-time artist," she said. "I'd hate the idea that I would be someone who used art as a hobby."

Reared in Hobart, Pettis attended Indiana University Northwest in Gary, where she received degrees in fine arts and psychology.

Her concentration in the former has served her well. Along with her daytime employment at Munster's South Shore Arts branch, Pettis has exhibited her works in the region at galleries throughout the region such as the Bernard Gallery at Calumet College of St. Joseph in Whiting, Uncle Freddy's Gallery in Highland and at Union Street Gallery in Chicago Heights.

"(Working at South Shore Arts) has made me aware of what's going on in the area," she said. "(Before working there), I didn't know where to start to find the galleries, and I've achieved that and surpassed my expectations."

This month, Pettis' works will be included in Uncle Freddy's "Homecoming Exhibit," which opens there Oct. 17. Yet she's looking to the Windy City for a pair of shows which she hopes will continue boosting her profile.

Pettis is one of 300 artists displaying works at the Chicago Art Open, which opened Friday and runs through Oct. 19, at Merchandise Mart. Her paintings will also be exhibited at Plumbers Hall as part of the annual "Around the Coyote" multimedia festival.

Pettis was one of 33 artists in "Around the Coyote" to be given "curator's choice" recognition this year.

"To be in 'Around the Coyote' and in the Merchandise Mart as part of the Chicago Art Open is definitely a whole new level for me," she said of her busy month. "I can't wait to see what might come of it." FYI: (312) 781-0040 or caconline.org for Chicago Art Open. "Around the Coyote" information is at aroundthecoyote.org or (773) 342-6777.