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Lectures and Events

Dante’s Inferno in the Hot Shop Well, this is different: Dante’s classic poem has been adapted for the fires of the hot shop by David Francis and Museum of Glass artist Sam Vance. In a glassblowing extravaganza, performers will voyage to the toasty pit of hell (unfortunately, Dale Chihuly was not cast in the role of the Dark Prince). 1 p.m. Fri. Oct. 29-Sun. Oct. 31. Museum of Glass, 1801 E. Dock St. Tacoma, free with admission, 253-396-1768.

DIFFA/Seattle Masquerade Ball A gala Halloween-time masquerade ball sponsored by Seattle Art Museum and Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS will raise money for HIV/AIDS service and education programs. It’ll be an evening of odd body art, haute couture, interior design “vignettes,” DJ music, and plenty of masks to cloak your identity. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Sat. Oct. 30. Seattle Asian Art Museum, Volunteer Park, 1400 E. Prospect Ave., $60, 206-654-3121.

International Animation Day A screening and meet-the-animator social showcasing a variety of shorts from Northwest animators. 8 p.m. Thurs. Oct. 28, Animation USA Gallery, 409 First Ave. S., $3, 206-625-0347.

Troll-a-Go-Go The Fremont Arts Council Halloween fund-raiser brings music, belly dancing, trapeze, costumes, and good old-fashioned performance art to the former Red Hook building. 8 p.m. Sun. Oct. 31. The Chocolate Factory, N. 34th St. & Phinney Ave. N., $10 ($15 without costume), 206-290-0286.

Openings

1506 Projects “Accumulation” is a grab bag of work by locals: Jefre Cantu’s small, Op Art-inspired paintings incorporating electrical tape, an installation by Brock Shomo, and Peter Burger’s art made from coffee filters and tracings of pennies. 1506 E. Olive, 206-329-5400. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat.-Sun.

Azuma A collection of bold prints from stencils by 20th century Japanese printmaker Yoshitoshi Mori. Reception: 1-4 p.m. Sat. Oct. 30. 530 First Ave. S., 206-622-5599. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tues.-Sat.

G. Gibson Mixed-media paintings, sculpture and dresses by outsider artist Larry Calkins—who creates sentimental works stocked with animals, calligraphylike scribbles, and other symbolic motifs. Reception: 5:30-7 p.m. Wed. Oct. 27. 514 E. Pike St., 206-587-4033. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Wed.-Fri.; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.

Last Chance

Artemis Work by two Cornish alums: watercolor papers straddling the boundary between abstraction and representation by Celeste Marble plus Liz Tran’s quirky buildings and cityscapes. 3107 S. Day St., 206-323-0562. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat. Ends Sat. Oct. 30.

Atelier 31 In Judith Kindler’s slapstick feminist art, she positions a doll (standing in as the artist’s alter ego) in incongruous high-art settings. 2500 First Ave., 206-448-5250. 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Tues.; 10:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Wed.-Sat.; noon-5 p.m. Sun. Ends Sun. Oct. 31.

Ballard Fetherston Pleasant, scratchy abstractions in oil and wax by Kirsten Stolle and pleasant, spacey abstractions in acrylic and graphite by Chris Metze. 818 E. Pike St., 206-322-9440. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sun. Ends Sat. Oct. 30.

Bluebottle Amanda Kindregan’s nostalgic, woodsy woodcuts. 415 E. Pine St., 206-325-1592. 1-7 p.m. Tues.-Fri., noon-6 p.m. Sat.-Sun. Ends Fri. Oct. 29.

Francine Seders Like poet Richard Hugo, the Duwamish River is a symbolic touchstone for painter Philip Govedare, whose paintings sketch the cranes and smokestacks looming above the waters of Seattle’s polluted industrial waterway. The title of the show is instructive: “Paintings of the Duwamish: Outside Time and Place.” There’s a timelessness in Govedare’s views—as if the paintings were thick layers of impressions stretching back to the days when the estuary was healthy with reeds and herons. In many of these paintings, the skies dominate the canvas, while below, the river and factories are reduced to a crimson stain of rust. Govedare’s colors are extraordinary—he knows that a gray day in Seattle isn’t a uniform mass of color, but a subtle play of tints and shades. Other works in this series explode with a near-abstract outpouring of red and ochre, a landscape pulsing with life and somehow staying vibrant despite the drumbeat of human economy. 6701 Greenwood Ave. N., 206-782-0355. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. Ends Sun. Oct. 31.

Gallery 110 (See this week’s visual arts spotlight.) 110 S. Washington St., 206-624-9336. Noon-5 p.m. Wed.-Sat. Ends Sat. Oct. 30.

Gallery 4 Culture Seattle artist Buddy Bunting had an inspiration to paint and document the Northwest’s “most interesting prisons” as well as the region’s flora, fauna, and geology. The result is this not-so-scenic travelogue, “Scablands.” The project as a whole works very well—it would be a shame to break it up into its individual pieces. 506 Second Ave., Suite 200 (Smith Tower), 206-296-7580. 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri. Ends Fri. Oct. 29.

Garde Rail Toronto artist Casey McGlynn’s paintings are populated with rough-hewn horses and human figures that add up to a kind of symbolic landscape rooted in childhood. 110 Third Ave., 206-621-1055. 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Wed.-Fri.; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. Ends Sat. Oct. 30.

Grover/Thurston Ceramicist Akio Takamori’s figurines blur the line between cute and menacing—and this ambivalence has its most potent effect in a series of karako—Japanese-style, bad-ass babies crawling on all fours. 309 Occidental St., 206-223-0816. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat. Ends Sat. Oct. 30.

Henry Art Gallery Emmet Gowin’s “Changing the Earth” features more than 10 years of aerial photographs of human-altered landscapes across the American West. UW campus, 206-543-2280. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sun.; 11 a.m.- 8 p.m. Thurs. Ends Sun. Oct. 31.

Howard House Victoria Haven does incredible things with lightweight materials such as tiny Mylar rings and shelf paper. But fragile is an adjective that should never be applied to Haven’s art. Even though her works are made from wispy, ephemeral materials, there’s a formidable solidity to her work. The show’s title, “Wonderland” derives from a large-scale 2-dimensional mountain cut from shelf paper printed with phony wood grain. 604 Second Ave., 206-256-6399. 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat. Ends Sat. Oct. 30.

James Crespinel Studios “Lift” is a loosely connected series of paintings and sculpture that’s supposed to uplift spirits and offer an oasis from the ugly world. 2312 Second Ave., free, 206-728-6276. Noon-6 p.m. Tues.-Sat.; 1-4 p.m. Sun. Ends Fri. Oct. 29.

Linda Hodges Nature paintings inspired by locales throughout the state by Seattle artist Gayle Bard. 316 First Ave. S., 206-624-3034. 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tues.-Sat. Ends Sat. Oct. 30.

Lisa Harris Like an odd fusion of Audubon and Dalí, Thomas Wood paints allegorical canvases stocked with a menagerie of creatures and flora. 1922 Pike Pl., 206-443-3315. 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Mon.-Sat.; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun. Ends Sun. Oct. 31.

SOIL Samantha Scherer’s pen-and- watercolor paintings isolate celebrity body parts: John Kerry’s hangdog eyes, Brad Pitt’s nipple, and such. It’s a clever little shtick and it certainly makes for a fun date game trying to guess who’s who. 112 Third Ave. S., 206-264-8061. Noon-5 p.m. Thurs.-Sun. Ends Sun. Oct. 31.

William Traver A group exhibition of new glass from Denmark, including stuff by Marianne Buus, Micha Karlslund, and Steffan Dam. 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. Ends Sun. Oct. 31.

Zeitgeist Thuy-Van Vu’s drawings and paintings of everyday objects ranging from deck chairs to construction equipment. 171 S. Jackson St., 206-583-0497. 6 a.m.-7 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Sat.-Sun. Ends Wed. Nov. 3.

Galleries

Bryan Ohno Portland artist Jay Backstrand juxtaposes several subjects in each of his hyper-realist paintings. 155 S. Main St., 206-667-9572. 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. Tues.-Sat.

CoCA CoCA’s “Northwest Annual,” juried by Ken Lum, gives gallery time to scores of artists from around the world. 410 Dexter Avenue N., 206-728-1980. 2-8 p.m. Tues.-Thurs., noon-5 p.m. Fri.-Sun.

Consolidated Works “Quiet Revolution” is a group show that promises “interpersonal politics, atmospheric conditions, civil disobedience, fantasy vs. the real, and sensorial information.” Artists include Mandy Greer, who creates lovely installations that weave fables in fabric, beads, and glitter; Paul Margolis, who does amazing things with quilts; Jack Ryan, whose installation contains hundreds of acrylic ears; and Kat Tomka’s sculptures made from Scotch tape. 500 Boren Ave. N., 4-8 p.m. Thurs.-Fri., 1-8 p.m. Sat.-Sun. 206-860-5245.

Crawl Space University of Washington MFA graduate Gregory Schaffer’s “Come Clean” offers deadpan photos of Wal-Marts, parking lots and other banal locales—and finds odd moments of beauty in things like melted ice cream on hot pavement. 504 E. Denny Way #1 (near Olive), 206-240-6015. Noon-5 p.m. Sat.-Sun.

Davidson Now in his 70s, Robert Marx is a figurative painter and sculptor sui generis. Nearly every painting in this new series is a portrait of a woman—some in vaguely Victorian or Mennonite dresses, others young girls, and all scratched onto the canvas with exquisitely fine brushwork. The decline of the body is a theme Marx returns to again and again: hands and heads are severed, figures are lit up under X-rays, wigs hover over chemotherapy baldness, and fingers are splayed in a tense calm. If this all sounds a bit grim, it’s not—there’s a magnificent dignity to each of Marx’s intensely human figures. Marx’s bronzes are equally expressionist—the faces have a smooth but rugged sheen that recalls mummified icemen thawed out after thousands of years. 313 Occidental Ave. S., 206-624-7684. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat.

Greg Kucera I have mixed feelings about Darren Waterston’s “13 Paintings.” From what I’ve seen, there’s no doubt that these watery, astral abstractions have a fine sense of composition and color. But there’s just something a little too easy about it all—a little too pretty and celestial in a New Age-y sort of way. 212 Third Ave., 206-624-0770. 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tues.-Sat.

James Harris Jeffry Mitchell’s watercolors of puppies and flowers find inspiration in the Japanese sumi tradition, but they just seem a bit too sugary-sweet. 309A Third Ave., 206-903-6220. 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tues.-Sat.

Kirkland Arts Center “Ruffle: Decadent Vexation” features fluff with a purpose by Elizabeth Jameson, Mandy Greer, Kris Lyons, and Anna Maltz. 620 Market St. 425-822-7161. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Fri.

National Parks Conservation Association “Away Out Over Everything” collects Mary Peck’s stunning photos of the Olympic Peninsula’s Elwha Valley. 313-A First Ave., 206-903-1444, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Mon.-Fri., noon-5 p.m. Sat.-Sun.

Platform In his second gallery show in town (the other is at Suyama Space) Brian Murphy uses odd angles and mirrors to paint honest, unflattering self-portraits. 114 Third Ave. S., 206-323-2808. 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Thurs.-Sat.

Roq La Rue “Monsters a-Go Go” offers a bunch of ironic Halloween-related art from the likes of Shag, Lisa Petrucci, Liz McGrath, Jim Blanchard, and Andrew Brandou (aka “Howdy Partner”). 2316 Second Ave., 206-374-8977. 2-6 p.m. Tues.-Sat., noon- 4 p.m. Sun.

SCCC M. Rosetta Hunter Art Gallery “Back on Broadway” returns some notable alums of Seattle Central Community College to SCCC’s gallery, including Linda Young, Bret Corrington, and Iosefatu Sua. 801 E. Pine, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri. and 5-7 p.m. Tues. & Thurs. 206-344-4379.

Solomon Fine Art Chris St. Pierre’s charcoal portraits all fixate on his friend, musician Bruce Fairweather. Plus, kitschy, staged photographs of blackly comic dioramas by Tom Gormally. 1215 First Ave., 206-297-1400. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

South Seattle Community College Art Gallery “Material/Ethereal” showcases abstract works by Ellen Ziegler and Gordon Wood. 6000 16th S.W., 206-764-5337. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri.

Suyama Space Brian Murphy returns with more of his watercolor self-portraits of the sort that wowed the crowds at the old Esther-Claypool space a couple years back. Once again facial features float off at odd angles, like unmoored islands of utter corruption, but this time the paintings are freakin’ HUGE. They’re, like, as tall as you standing on your own shoulders. 2324 Second Ave. 206-256-0809. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri.

Winston Wächter This gallery on Dexter moves a couple blocks—into more spacious digs (and that much closer to the heart of the art scene). They’re celebrating with a show of gallery favorites, including Victoria Adams, Bo Bartlett, Eric Fischl, Caio Fonseca, and Hiro Yokose. 203 Dexter Ave. N., 206-652-5855, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat.

Wright Exhibition Space Decorative eye candy for corporate lobbies or sincere experiments in color and texture? The color field painters were the aesthetic descendents of Pollock and Rothko, in a period when Warhol, Pop Art, and conceptual art were replacing high-minded abstraction. This show, curated by Virginia Wright, hopes to revive interest in color field painters Jules Olitski, Morris Louis, Helen Frankenthaler, and Kenneth Noland. Some of the pieces are magnificent in their lush disregard for anything but their own colors: Noland’s vast “Vista” surrounds the viewer with a bath of mauve, while Louis’ “Mem” is a subtle veil of browns. 407 Dexter Ave. N., 206-622-1896. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursdays.

Museums

Frye Art Museum In “Figuring the Forces,” contemporary realist painter Scott Goodwillie brings a baroque sensibility to contemporary anxieties and conflicts. 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 “Santiago Calatrava: The Architect’s Studio” showcases the work of the ultramodern Spanish architect with a fondness for organic swoops. UW campus, 206-543-2280. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sun.; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Thurs.

Museum of Glass Motorized, kinetic sculptures by Museum of Glass favorite Gregory Barsamian, and “Murano,” a showcase of more than 200 pieces of 20th century Venetian glass from the Olnick Spanu Collection. Plus, Chihuly’s gargantuan versions of Japanese glass fishing net floats invade the museum’s mezzanine reflecting pool. 1801 E. 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.

Museum of Northwest Art “Collections from the Elizabeth Tapper Print Workshop” showcases the work of a renowned Skagit Valley printmaker in collaboration with artists Susan Bennerstrom, Fay Jones, Russell Chatham, Elizabeth Sandvig, Michael Spafford, and others. 121 South First St. (La Conner), 360-466-4446. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.

Nordic Heritage Museum “Contemporary Marine Totems,” highly personal totems created by William McKee from salvaged wooden molds used to cast metal parts for the Northwest maritime industry. 104 N.W. 67th St., 206-789-5707. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tues.-Sat.; noon-4 p.m. Sun.

Seattle Art Museum “Spain in the Age of Exploration 1492–1819” offers a sampling of the dark visions of Velazquez, Zurbaran, Goya, and other masters. This huge show of art and artifacts explores the cultural vibrancy of Spain’s golden age through paintings, altarpieces, documents, navigational instruments, suits of armor, and other stuff of empire. Also on display: “The View From Here,” offers selections of Pacific Northwest art from 1870 to 1940, while “Modern in America,” explores the interaction between photography and the paintings of Georgia O’Keeffe, Jasper Johns, and other 20th century greats. 100 University St., 206-654-3100. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sun.; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Thurs.

Tacoma Art Museum It might be a stretch to say that the Hudson River painters—Thomas Cole, Frederic Church, and Alfred Bierstadt among them— invented the American wilderness. But even so, these early 19th century painters, influenced by Thoreau and Emerson, shifted the popular view of nature from something to be feared and fought to something sublime and worthy of reverence. This collection of 50 important landscapes from Connecticut’s Wadsworth Antheneum features work by Cole, Church, Bierstadt, and several others. Plus, the late UW professor and ceramics maven Howard Kottler is celebrated in the exhibit “Look Alikes,” a selection of kitschy commemorative plates from the 1960s to the 1980s. 1701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253-272-4258. Every third Thursday free. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat.; 10 a.m.- 8 p.m. Thurs.; noon-5 p.m. Sun.

Wing Luke Asian Museum The juried exhibit “Beyond Talk: Redrawing Race” attempts to break open the lockbox of dialogue on race. 407 Seventh S., 206-623-5124. 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tues.-Fri.; noon- 4 p.m. Sat.-Sun.