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Lectures and Events

Artist Lecture: Charles LaBelle The New York–based artist specializing in photo collage, video, and sculpture talks about his work. 6:30 p.m. Fri. June 3. Free. Microsoft Campus, Building 33 (open to the public), Redmond, 425-706-0033.

Arts Corps Student Showcase Kids involved in Arts Corps’ visual and performing arts programs in Seattle public schools get their 15 minutes of fame. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. June 4. Free. Bagley Wright Theater and Seattle Center Pavillion, 305 Harrison St., 206-722-5440.

Freehold Art Party An evening of silent auctions, performance art, and music to raise funds for the Freehold theater center’s diversity scholarship program. 8 p.m.-midnight Sat. June 4. $25. Freehold, 1525 10th Ave., 206-323-7499.

Kodachrome Memoirs When video artist Jason Ryan was hired in 2004 to clean out an abandoned apartment, he found inside more than 1,000 slides and snapshots taken over a span of 30 years—and couldn’t bear to consign them to the dumpster. Collaborating with filmmaker Nelson Harst, Ryan has organized the salvaged photos into a 45-minute multimedia slide show/music extravaganza. The evening’s festivities also include music from the Corespondents, R.B. Reed, Sun Vow, and Freejail. 8 p.m.-midnight Fri. June 3; slideshow at 9:15 p.m. $5. S.S. Marie Antoinette, 1235 Westlake Ave., 206-851-9494.

Lecture: Isamu Noguchi In advance of a new touring exhibit of Isamu Noguchi’s work in sculpture and design, SAM curator of modern and contemporary art Susan Rosenberg talks about the artist’s interdisciplinary work. 11 a.m. Fri. June 3. Free with museum admission. Seattle Art Museum, 100 University St., 206-654-3100.

The Neddy Award And the envelope please. The annual Neddy Fellowship will be awarded to one deserving Northwest artist in a free, public ceremony. Among those in the running for the $15,000 prize are Seattle artists Jaq Chartier and Joseph Park. 5:30 p.m. Sat. June 4. Free. Tacoma Art Museum, 1701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253-272-4258.

First Thursday

All City Coffee “Blue and Green Make Gold”—new, boldly colored abstract canvases by Kristen Cochran. Reception: 6-10 p.m. 125 Prefontaine Pl. S., 206-652-8331. 6 a.m.-11 p.m. Mon.-Fri.; 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Sat.; 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Sun.

Art Patch Jamey Baumgardt’s paintings “What Are They Selling?” critique cigarette marketing. 6-10 p.m. 306 S. Washington St. (Tashiro-Kaplan Building).

blueverticalstudio Large, blurred-light abstract paintings by local artist and architect Michael Ammerman. 306 S. Washington (Tashiro-Kaplan Building), Studio 106, 206-235-5006.

Capitol Hill Arts Center “Tasty Bits and Misfits” is part of a nutritious breakfast of paintings inspired by Saturday morning cartoons and other animation—all brought to you by Suzanne Kaufman and Karin Yamagiwa. Reception: 8-10 p.m. (ages 21 and over), 1621 12th Ave., 206-388-0500. 6-10 p.m. Wed.-Fri.; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat.

Carolyn Staley Eleven prints depicting Buddhist goddesses, all by contemporary artist Mayumi Oda. Reception: 5-8 p.m. 314 Occidental Ave., 206-621-1888. 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat.

Davidson “Natural Selection” features painters interpreting cityscapes and landscapes in stylized, formal compositions—including work by Tram Bui and Mary Iverson. “Landscapes in Wood” collects reduction-woodblock prints by Gordon Mortensen, Jean Gummper, and Robert Patierno. Also continuing: selections of original prints by Picasso, including a particularly lovely sampling of line drawings from the famous “La Suite Vollard.” Reception: 6-8 p.m. 313 Occidental Ave. S., 206-624-7684. 10 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. Tues.-Sat.

G. Gibson Fabric art isn’t limited to quilts any more—take for example, “Stitched,” which brings together work by longtime gallery artist Larry Calkins, who does wall sculptures made from dresses and beeswax; Ruth Marie Tomlinson’s sewn fragments of rubber inner tubes, and recent UW MFA graduate Laura Wright, whose “security blankets” include necessities for the post–9/11 era: machetes, shovels, and booze flasks. Reception: 6-8 p.m. 300 S. Washington St., 206-587-4033. 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Wed.-Fri.; 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. Sat.

Gallery 110 The death of Deborah Walker’s father is the inspiration for a series of slightly surreal paintings of birds, vessels, and containers, while Cindy Small’s paintings deconstruct our notion of non- Western cultures as exotic. Reception: 6-8 p.m. 110 S. Washington St., 206-624-9336. Noon-5 p.m. Wed.-Sat.

Shift Pierre Gour’s paintings of bunnies, toy monkeys, and such on intentionally distressed and eroded canvas. Reception: 5-8 p.m. 306 S. Washington #105, 360-650-3436. Noon-5 p.m. Sat.

SOIL “Unearthed” is a group show featuring delicately burned papers by Tokyo-born artist Etsuko Ichikawa, plus new work by Tuan Nguyen, Sara Osebold, and Helen Curtis’ assemblages incorporating glass and pig intestines (just think of the promotional opportunities with nearby Salumi restaurant). Reception: 6-9:30 p.m.; Artists’ reception: 7-10 p.m. Sat. June 4. 112 Third Ave. S., 206-264-8061. Noon- 5 p.m. Thurs.-Sun.

Solomon Fine Art New work by abstract painter Paul Shakespear. Reception: 5-8 p.m. 1215 First Ave., 206-297-1400. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

Vain Fragments of spray-can work and graffiti lettering by Sam Sneke, one the city’s most renowned street mural artists. Reception: 5-9 p.m. 2018 First Ave., 206-441-3441. Noon-7 p.m. Sun.-Tues.; 11 a.m.- 10 p.m. Wed.-Thurs.; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Fri.-Sat.

Vidya A new gallery in the creaky 619 Western building launches “The Triumph of Death and Other Stuff”—comics-inspired paintings and drawings by Tim Marsden, plus John Feodorov’s symbolic paintings exploring alienation and identity. Reception: 6-8 p.m. 619 Western Ave., second floor, 206-297-0437. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tues.-Sat.

William Traver New work—which has taken a decidedly abstract turn—by Illinois glass artist John Miller. Opening night music provided by local Cuban jazz-funk band Picoso. Reception: 5-8 p.m. 110 Union St., second floor, 206-587-6501. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Fri.; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.; noon-5 p.m. Sun.

Zeitgeist Nature-based abstract paintings and drawings by Stephanie Dennis. Reception: 6-8 p.m. 171 S. Jackson St., 206-583-0497. 6 a.m.-7 p.m. Mon.-Fri.; 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Sat.-Sun.

Other Openings

Baas Art Laura Pizzuto-Velaz’s variations on Las Meninas by Velasquez, plus exuberant romantic paintings of lips and dancing couples. Reception: 5-8 p.m. 2703 E. Madison, 206-324-4742. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

Ballard/Fetherston Here’s a promiscuous little experiment—this gallery will stage a series of very brief “one-night stand” shows featuring emerging and experimental artists. According to the plan, there’s no commitment and the gallery owner and artist are free to leave after consummating the quickie show. This month’s threesome: Nancy Stentz, who does abstract prints, Ali Vogt, who makes sculpture from old jeans, and Mat Griesse, whose preferred media includes Shrinky Dinks, janitorial sponges, and other odd stuff. For the gallery’s mainstream show, look for Lisbeth Firmin’ monoprints and realist paintings inspired by a recent trip to Cuba. Reception: 5-8 p.m. Wed. June 1. 818 E. Pike St., 206-322-9440. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat. Ends Fri. June 3.

Bluebottle In “Dust and Feather Stories,” Faryn Davis’ moody paintings of birds encase found objects, organic matter, and paper in a thick layer of resin. 415 E. Pine St., 206-325-1592. 1-7 p.m. Tues.-Fri., noon-6 p.m. Sat.-Sun.

Francine Seders Painter Alan Lau’s day job—a produce stocker at Uwajimaya—figures in his new works, executed in sumi ink, oil pastel, and China markers. Also on display: sculptures in wood, plastic, and bronze by longtime local artist Dan Carmichael. Reception: 2-4 p.m. Sun. June 5. 6701 Greenwood Ave. N., 206-782-0355. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat.; 1-5 p.m. Sun.

Frank & Dunya Black & white and color linocuts chock-full of whimsical botanical forms by Sam Hamrick. Reception: 6-8 p.m. Fri. June 3. 3418 Fremont Ave. N., 206-547-6760. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily.

Frye Art Museum “Taking and Making” features recent work by Oliver Herring, the German-born artist whose experiments in photography, video, and sculpture take novel turns, including a life-size self-portrait sculpture made from snapshots. Reception: 7-9 p.m. Fri. June 3. Artist Lecture: 2 p.m. Sat. June 4. 704 Terry Ave., 206-622-9250. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat.; noon-5 p.m. Sun.; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thurs.

Joe Bar Seattle photographer Frank Huster traveled to Sri Lanka with Northwest Medical Teams to document the organization’s tsunami relief work. All proceeds from this small sampling of the more than 3,000 images he took will be donated to UNICEF. Reception: 6-9 p.m. Wed. June 1. 810 E. Roy, 206-324-0407. 7:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri.; 8:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Sat.-Sun.

Lisa Harris Christopher Harris’ nearly-abstract color images of the rolling fields of Eastern Washington, taken with a pinhole camera; plus, nostalgic photographs modified with oil paints by Sherry Karver. Reception: 6-8 p.m. 1922 Pike Pl., 206-443-3315. 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Mon.-Sat.; 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. Sun.

Museum of Glass A 20-year survey of the career of Stanwood, Wash., glassman William Morris, whose importance in the Pilchuck glass industry rivals that of Chihuly, and whose sculptural pieces draw inspiration from ancient myth and archeology. Opens Sat. June 4. 1801 East Dock St. Tacoma, 253-396-1768. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed.-Sat. (third Thurs. of the month until 8 p.m.); noon-5 p.m. Sun.

Northwest Craft Center A plethora of ceramics—from raku to earthenware to electric-fired pieces—by 41 local artists. Reception: 6-8 p.m. Fri. June 3. 305 Harrison (Seattle Center), 206-728-1555. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tues.-Sun.

Photographic Center Northwest Thesis portfolios by PCNW graduates, including Ken Claflin’s illuminated urban cityscapes. Reception: 6-8 p.m. Fri. June 3. 900 12th Ave., 206-720-7222. Noon-9:30 p.m. Mon.; 9 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Tues.-Fri.; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.; noon-5 p.m. Sun.

Priceless Works Matt Sellars’ installation “Anticline” alludes to the vast landscape of the West, using wood sculpture and drawings; plus painter Rich Lehl’s surreal universe of people, animals, and sushi. Reception: 7-10 p.m. Fri. June 3. 619 N. 35th St., Suite 100, 206-349-9943. Noon-6 p.m. Thurs.-Sun.

Sand Point Gallery Gen X artists revisit the Victorian era in “New Age Old.” On tap will be Thom Heileson’s video 101 Sunsets, a trucker-speed-paced tour of pretty landscapes; Dawn Cerny’s etchings based on Florence Nightingale’s wartime experiences; and Ellen Ziegler’s aquatic animals on Mylar. But I’m clueless as to what exactly the “Victorian penchant for bowdlerizing furniture” could be. Censored ottomans? Reception: 5 p.m. Fri. June 3. 7527 63rd Ave. N.E., Building #5, Bay C, second Floor, Noon-5 p.m. Fri.-Sun.

Last Chance

Kirkland Arts Center “Drawn In” showcases four local artists expanding the notion of drawing: Buddy Bunting, Diem Chau, Samantha Scherer, and Thuy-Van Vu. 620 Market St. (Kirkland), 425-822-7161. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Fri.; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. Open until 8 p.m. every third Thurs. Ends Sat. June 4.

Souvenir Seattle artist Eve Cohen’s mutant, toothy creatures made from paper, seeds, wire, cloth, and wood are all part of “Kinderkunst” at this new Ballard gallery. 5325 Ballard Ave. N.W., 206-297-7116. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tues.-Sat.; noon-5 p.m. Sun. Ends Sat. June 4.

Tacoma Art Museum “A Decade of Excellence” displays Northwest artists who’ve been awarded the Behnke Foundation’s “Neddy” Artist Fellowship since the program began 10 years ago. 1701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253-272-4258. Every third Thursday free and open until 8 p.m. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat.; noon-5 p.m. Sun. Ends Sunday June 5.

Galleries

Cornish College Gallery Based on questions she asked the ancient Chinese I Ching divination system, Judith Kindler’s “The Journal” is a collection of mixed media paintings and sculptures. Seventh floor, 100 Lenora St., 206-726-5011. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Fri.

Crawl Space In “From A to A,” Todd Simeone distills photographs of household items to their basic visual elements using digital manipulation. 504 E. Denny Way #1 (near Olive), 206-240-6015. Noon-5 p.m. Sat.-Sun.

Howard House Seattle artist Gretchen Bennett’s “Landscape Flair” offers clever experiments in stickers, buttons, and other forms usually associated with “street” art. The result is nature art twisted into an ironic context: Fake wood contact paper becomes a fawn in its dying moments, or a clear-cut forest. Another very clever composition offers a collage of individual buttons printed with tree branches that collectively form a wooded landscape. One nice touch is that many of the individual buttons have hints of peace signs and anarchy symbols—a nod to the classic button rebellion emblems. Some of Bennett’s art is meant to reach beyond the gallery: For just two bucks, you can purchase your very own Bennett button emblazoned with a solitary tree. Also on display, glib paintings of superheroes committing atrocities by Jon Haddock. 604 Second Ave., 206-256-6399. 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat.

Jack Straw New Media Gallery Kristin Tollefson’s installation “Organic Plan” is inspired by the landscape and folk art of Iceland—central to the exhibit is a large, suspended ringlike sculpture that pays homage to baldrying, a traditional Icelandic embroidery technique. 4261 Roosevelt Way N.E., 206-634-0919. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Fri.

James Harris New paintings by Oakland’s Squeak Carnwath, whose large, overtly philosophical paintings employ blocks of color, an intricate private iconography, and hand-scrawled slogans to inspire viewers to ask questions of themselves. Some of it is didactic, but the overall effect is a clearly passionate belief in the transforming power of painting. 309A Third Ave., 206-903-6220. 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Wed.-Sat.

Platform “Between Before and After” features new drawings by Toronto-based experimental artist Stephen Andrews, whose recent work reproduces disturbing images from the war in Iraq using a unique and meticulous color-separation process using crayons and window screens. A one-minute animation using many of these images distills the horror of war into a quietly elegant composition. 114 Third Ave. S., 206-323-2808. 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Thurs.-Sat. (Open until 8 p.m. Thurs. May 19).

Roq La Rue “The Mod Squad” offers four painters purveying canvas-loads of hip-itude. Andrew Brandou (aka Howdy Partner) puts Golden Book children’s characters to work in pursuit of world revolution, while Keith Weesner, Ryan Heshka, and Dale Sizer paint variations on pulp fiction covers, hot-rod pinups, and tiki-lounge kitsch. 2316 Second Ave., 206-374-8977. 2-6 p.m. Tues.-Sat.; noon-4 p.m. Sun.

Wright Exhibition Space “Aboriginal Vision” offers selections of contemporary Australian Aboriginal art from the expansive collection of UW international studies professor Margaret Levi and her husband, Robert Kaplan. 407 Dexter Ave. N., 206-264-8200. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thurs.-Fri.

Museums

Frye Art Museum “The Retrofuturistic World of NSK” collects 20 years’ worth of painting, prints, and other media by Slovenia’s Neue Slowenische Kunst art movement. Challenging the whole idea of authorship, nationality, and avant-garde, the artists in NSK create theater, music, and visual art that appropriates communist and capitalist kitsch in an effort to subvert authority. 704 Terry Ave., 206-622-9250. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat.; noon-5 p.m. Sun.; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thurs.

Henry Art Gallery Doug Aitken’s three-screen video installation Interiors is a majestic meditation on the search for meaning amid the stress and alienation of 21st century urban life. Sprawling throughout an entire gallery, four separate story lines play out on a vast box of screens— allowing you to view three of the videos simultaneously as a sculptural whole from many different angles. The nearly wordless stories arch from contemplative (a young family with a new baby stands in a junkyard as a Brian Eno–like soundtrack throbs underneath) to the mysterious (a man sands a helicopter in a sterile factory cleanroom) to the frenetic (hip-hop artist André Benjamin gushes a verbal storm while a woman smashes a handball and an Asian businessman twitches in a sweaty convulsion of stress). The collective vignettes pack a surprising emotional wallop, considering the stories are stripped to their most simple visual and sonic elements. “Playtime” collects whimsical art made from toys (and Peter Fischli and David Wells’ amazing 30-minute video of pyrotechnic installation). A collection of minimalist works by locals offer mixes of childhood simplicity and adult emotional turmoil (including Claire Cowie’s excellent Panorama Drawing). U.W. campus, 206-543-2280. 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. Tues.-Sun.; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Thurs.

Seattle Art Museum “Africa in America” a varied and complex exploration of slavery, displacement and ethnic culture portrayed in African-American art of the late 20th century, including work by James W. Washington Jr., Kara Walker, Ellen Gallagher, Oliver Jackson, and Marita Dingus. Also on display: a sampling of works in SAM’s collection of 19th century French artists, including Bouguereau, Monet, and Berthe Morisot. 100 University St., 206-654-3100. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sun.; 10 a.m.- 9 p.m. Thurs.

Seattle Asian Art Museum “Mountain Dreams” collects contemporary ceramics incised with Buddhist text by Korean artist Yoon Kwang-cho. Volunteer Park, 1400 E. Prospect Ave., 206-625-8900. 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Wed.-Sun.; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Thurs.