Send listings two weeks in advance to visualarts@seattleweekly.com.
Lectures and Events
ART DEMONSTRATION Local plein air landscape painter Steve Whitney demonstrates how watercolorists can incorporate acrylics into their compositions. 9:30 a.m-12.30 p.m. Thurs. Jan. 15. First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue, 1717 Bellevue Way N.E., free, 425-753-0349.
ARTIST LECTURE: GLENN RUDOLPH Recently featured in SAM’s “Baja to Vancouver” exhibit, photographer Rudolph specializes in images of abandoned spaces of Northwest sprawl and the people who live there. 7:30 p.m. Thurs. Jan. 15. Seattle Art Museum, 100 University St., free with admission, 206-654-3100.
ARTIFACT IDENTIFICATION DAY SEE SW THIS WEEK, PAGE 41.
ARTIST LECTURE: MARC WENET With a solo show currently running at Francine Seders Gallery, he talks about his method, which incorporates found wooden materials and recycled debris into abstract three-dimensional assemblages. 6:30 p.m. Tues. Jan. 20. Pratt Fine Arts Center, 1902 S. Main St., free, 206-328-2200.
LECTURE: FOLK COSTUMES IN SCANDINAVIA Art/Not Terminal and the Nordic Heritage Museum seem to have done a switcheroo this month. This week, Syrene Forsman, president of the Swedish Finn Historical Society gives a talk, “Team Colors: Folk Costumes in Scandinavia.” 7 p.m. Sat. Jan. 17. Art/Not Terminal, 2045 Westlake Ave., free, 206-233-0680.
MEET THE PHOTOGRAPHER Seattle carpenter-turned-artist Bruce Hall attends the opening of his “Famous Glove Photos.” Apparently, Hall has a rather obsessive idée fixe: He’s taken over 1,000 photos of work gloves staged in various settings. 5-8 p.m. Thurs. Jan. 15. Caffe Fiore, 3215 NW 85th St., free, 206-706-7580.
ART WOLFE The reigning king of Northwest nature photography, Art Wolfe, talks about wildlife photography in a lecture, slide show and fundraiser for ArtsWest. 7 p.m. Thurs. Jan. 15. West Seattle High School, 3000 California Ave SW, $15 suggested donation, 206-938-0963.
Openings
SEATTLE ART MUSEUM RENTAL/SALES GALLERY SAM launches its new Rental/Sales gallery space on the first floor of the Seattle Tower with a juried show of two-dimensional work (paintings, drawings, etc.) by instructors from Pratt Fine Arts Center. The show is curated by SAM R/S director Barbara Shaiman and George Robinson (who now leads William Traver’s new Tacoma gallery). There’s a good lineup of artists on tap, including Juan Alonso, Claire Cowie, Marc Dombrosky, Eva Isaksen, Perri Lynch, Barbara Robertson, and others. Reception: 5-7 p.m. Thurs. Jan. 15. 1220 Third Ave., 206-343-1101. 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat.
SOLOMON FINE ART “Six in the City” includes a selection of three-dimensional works by Pratt Fine Arts Center instructors: metalwork by Mark Brinton and Catherine Grisez; cast glass by Chad Holliday, Theresa Batty, and Katrina Hude; plus a clay-and-paper accordion book entitled “Tracing the Wounds” by Kamla Kakaria. Reception: 5-8 p.m. Thurs. Jan. 15. 215 First Ave., 206-297-1400. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Sat.
Last Chance
CITY SPACE “Sustainable Connections” showcases environmentally friendly artwork, architecture, and product designs by locals, including Rik Nelson. 701 Fifth Ave. (Bank of America Tower), 3rd floor, 206-749-9525, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. Ends Thurs. Jan 15.
EXPERIENCE MUSIC PROJECT Annie Leibovitz is certainly the most famous photographer in America, and has earned that title for smartly-composed and sly portraits of the famous (including Willie Nelson, Tom Waits, Eminem, and various Mississippi bluesmen) and not-so-famous. But like a meal of junk food, the exhibit will probably leave you feeling full, but a little empty. 325 Fifth Ave. N., 206-367-5483. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun.-Thurs., 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Fri.-Sat. Tues.-Sun; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Thurs. Ends Mon. Jan. 19.
KUHLMAN “Heaven and Hell,” a mixed show on devilish and angelic themes with work by Kipling West, Ellen Forney, Kamala Dolphin Kingsley, and other locals. 2419 First, 206-441-1999. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Mon.-Sat.; noon-6 p.m. Sun. Ends Thurs. Jan 15.
SECLUDED ALLEY WORKS What is nature, exactly? Squirrels and cedars and romantic walks on the beach? Discovery Channel lions chasing down hapless gazelle? Or is it something more? “Contra Natura,” (Against Nature), a show curated by local artists Kamala Dolphin-Kingsley and Mandy Greer, will explore and transgress (ah yes, artists are always transgressing) the boundaries between human and nature. On offer: Eve Cohen’s critters made from cast-off trash, Andrea Rogalski’s mixed-media sculptures, Jennifer Zwick’s Frankenstein bugs reassembled from various insects, Dolphin Kingsley’s paintings of peaceable kingdoms, and work by several other artists. 113 12th Ave. (at Yesler), 206-839-0880. Noon-5 p.m. Sat.-Sun. Ends Sun. Jan 18.
VELOCITY ART AND DESIGN “The Space In Between.” Born in Japan, Mariko Marrs now lives in the Northwest and professes to paint “the wind and the sound of the ocean.” 2118 2nd Ave., 206-781-9494. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Sat. Ends Thurs. Jan 15.
Galleries
AIA “Flat Building” is exactly what it says it is: photographs of buildings that, for one reason or another, appear to be two-dimensional facades as seen through the lens of Brian Allen. 911 First Ave., 206-448-4938. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri.
ART/NOT TERMINAL Abstract collage diptychs from artist Phil Fagerholm will be rearranged daily so the exhibit will be a DIFFERENT SHOW EVERY DAY. Hmmm. Seeing it once is probably more than enough. 2045 Westlake, 206-233-0680, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., noon -5 p.m. Sun.
ARTEMIS Julie Alexander’s large abstract matrices of paint are reminiscent of weaving. Also, encaustic paintings on birch by Amy Ruppel, and Lars Husby’s wood sculptures. 3107 S. Day St., 206-323-0562. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat.
ARTSWEST Three locals engage in some introspective navel-gazing in “Inner Expressions.” Martha Carey paints abstract mindscapes; Amy Garcia creates constructions in wire, fabric and acrylics; and Vadim Kin applies the “Virgin Mary-in-a-tortilla-chip” way seeing to his photographs of rock formations, finding all sorts of faces in stone. 4711 California Ave. S.W. (West Seattle), 206-938-0963. Noon-7 p.m. Tues.-Sat.
BENHAM In “Coming of Age,” three photographers look at the transition from childhood to adulthood: South African-born Michelle Sank documents young minds in maturing bodies; Gabriella Csoszo takes portraits of adolescents from the war-torn Balkans; and Robert Lewis Smith stages his children’s toys in disturbing vignettes. 1216 First Ave., 206-622-2480. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat.; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun.
BRYAN OHNO Abstract studies in pattern and intricacy by Tokyo-born artist Marc Katano alongside organic-inspired ceramic wall sculpture by Juan Granados. 155 S. Main St., 206-667-9572. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat.
CDA GALLERY The art of the quilt is having something of a resurgence locally thanks to CDA, which now unveils new work by Rahcel Brumer. “Slumber, The Nights” returns quilts to their original function: on the bed. Small bedlike structures will be lit from within and used to display seven quilts riddled with pinholesthe effect, one imagines, will be to create a bed of starlight. 506 Second Ave., Suite 200 (Smith Tower), 206-296-7580. 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mon-Fri.
CONSOLIDATED WORKS The touring Altoids Curiously Strong Art program is designed to promote up-and-coming. No word on who’s featured; we’ll check it out next week. 500 Boren Ave. N., 206-860-5245. 4-8 p.m. Thurs.-Fri., 1-8 p.m. Sat.-Sun.
DAVIDSON “Strata” is slightly precious idea, but one that just might work: variations on the theme of stripe painting. The paradigm here is mid-twentieth century painter Gene Davis, whose shtick was abstract paintings composed of vertical stripes. Davis apparently never tired of improvising and experimenting within this self-imposed form. Scores of artists now try their hand at the form: parallel squiggles from Miki Lee; Markus Linnenbrink’s poured enamel streaks; and Jil Weinstock’s rubber-encased zippers. There’s also a solo show by pseudo-Renaissance painter Adrienne Sherman. 313 Occidental Ave. S., 206-624-7684. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat.
EDMONDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE ART GALLERY A retrospective of war photographs and photo collages by Dan Eldon, who was killed on assignment in Somalia in 1993 at the age of 22. Lynnwood Hall, third floor, 20000 68th Ave. W, (Lynnwoood), 425-640-1313. 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Mon.-Thurs., 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Fri., noon-5 p.m. Sat.-Sun.
FOSTER/WHITE RAINIER SQUARE “Northwest Masters” serves up collection of work by the dependable standbys of Northwest art: Guy Anderson, Kenneth Callahan, Richard Gilkey, Morris Graves, and Mark Tobey. 1331 Fifth Ave., 206-583-0100. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Sat.
FRANCINE SEDERS Seattle artist Marc Aaron Wenet’s assemblages are definitely sustainable art: in “Sight Patterns,” he uses old building materials, discarded metal, and other detritus to create formally balanced and playful compositions. 6701 Greenwood Ave. N., 206-782-0355. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.- Sat, 1-5 p.m. Sun.
G. GIBSON Beverly Rayner’s new work, “Specimens,” continues her mixed-media work that began with “Genetic Decoder and other Pseudoscientific Explorations.” Incorporating photographs, found objects, wax, wood, and plaster, she transforms generic images into catalogs for the DNA age. 514 E. Pike St., 206-587-4033. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Wed.-Fri.; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.
GALLERY 63 ELEVEN A solo show of folksie-art paintings by local artist C.L. Utley. 6311 N.W. 24th (Ballard), 206-478-2238. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat.
GALLERY 110 In the second of its semiannual juried shows, this artist-owned collective gallery continues to serve up a potent cocktail of politically-engaged art. This month’s theme is “Body Politics.” On display are 38 works by Jessica Dodge, Karen Kosoglad, Katie Miller, Blair Wilson, and first prize-winner James Cicatko, whose “Little Monsters” paintings feature nude men and women pummeling each other senseless. 110 S. Washington St., 206-624-9336. Noon-5 p.m. Wed.-Sat.
GALLERY OF THE SENSES Seattle sculptor and WSU alum Roark Congdon displays “200 clay skulls and one bronze one” at this gallery that has quietly existed on Capitol Hill for six years. 1402 E. Pike, 206-568-0291. 6-10 p.m. Tues.-Sat.
GARDE RAIL After 30 years breaking rock in the coal mines of Pennsylvania and earning a case of black lung for his troubles, Jack Savitsky decided to start painting and selling his simple works for five bucks a pop at local craft fairs before he died in 1991. Now he’s recognized as one of the pioneers of 20th-century folk art, with considerably higher prices on his wide-eyed paintings of miners and religious scenes. They look like what you’d find on the walls of Ms. Crabapple’s third-grade class, but that’s part of the charm, I guess. 4860 Rainier Ave. (Columbia City), 206-721-0107. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed.-Sat.
GREG KUCERA New York artist Jane Hammond’s “Star Maps, Scrapbooks, and Matchbooks” contains a collection of recent mixed-media paintings and assemblages. Working in an idiosyncratic language of visual symbols, Hammond’s art transforms everyday detritus into investigations of the arbitrary nature of signs. (A nearly six-foot circular zodiac painting, for instance, replaces the usual fishes, scorpions, and lions with wishbones, geishas, and elves). 212 Third Ave., 206-624-0770. 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tues.-Sat.
GULASSA & CO. “New Work” features bold-brushstroke abstract paintings by Maryetta Jacques. 10 Dravus St., 206-283-181. Noon-4 p.m. Mon.-Fri.
JACK STRAW NEW MEDIA GALLERY Jesse Paul Miller set out to find some peace and quiet in the nature preserves of North Central Florida, and brought audio equipment do document it. What he found wasn’t exactly solitude free of human noise, as this interactive installation demonstrates. 261 Roosevelt Way N.E., 206-634-0919. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Fri.
JAMES HARRIS Local boy Patrick Holderfield engages in a series of formal studies based on Gericault’s “Raft of the Medusa.” Two sculptures will be interspersed among various abstract drawings: The first is a raft of timbers painted white and the second, according to the gallery, a “spherical shape [evoking] a satellite floating the black abyss.” 309A Third Ave., 206-903-6220. 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tues.-Sat.
JOE BAR Okay, admit it: you’ve already broken those New Year’s resolutions to stay away from Top Pot doughnuts and exercise at least once a week. Well, you’re in good company, you lazy bum. A handful of locals muse on the practice and general failure of resolutions in “Hi, Resolution: The Art of Broken Promises.” Ellen Forney, Alice Tippit, Kamala Dolphin-Kingsley, Derek Knobbs, Denise Giago, Nancy Chang, and Susan Tillitt contribute. 810 E. Roy St., 206-324-0407. 7:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Sat.-Sun.
KATHLEEN MORRIS OPEN STUDIO A recent transplant from Santa Fe, painter Morris favors mammoth canvases. Her most compelling work comprises individual portraits riven with decay; other, more vaguely spiritual paintings aren’t as effective.122 S. Jackson St., 206-818-2516. Open by appointment.
LISA HARRIS From Portland, Thomas Workman’s abstract encaustic paintings recall the medium’s origins in ancient Greeceblack-figure pottery with its sharp, bladelike forms. 1922 Pike Pl., 206-443-3315. 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Mon.-Sat.; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun.
LITTLE THEATRE Work by burgeoning photographers and future MFAs are on display in this sampling of photographs by students in Garfield High School’s Advanced Photography class. 608 19th Ave. E. (at Mercer), 206-675-2005. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Fri.
MARTIN-ZAMBITO Prints by an assortment of 20th-century artists, including Niels Andersen, Dorothy Dolph Jensen, Fay Chong, and abstract modernist painter Werner Drewes. 721 E. Pike St., 206-726-9509. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tue.-Sat.
PHOTOGRAPHIC CENTER NORTHWEST This year’s annual exhibition of work by PCNW members includes images by Charles Peterson, Kathleen Chambers, Julia Kuskin, Joel Sanders, and plenty of others. 900 12th Ave., 206-720-7222. Noon-9:30 p.m. Mon.; 9 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Tues.-Sun.
PITCAIRN SCOTT French artist Nathalie Harvey’s powerful, sanguinary figures seem to be the work of a protracted, bloody struggle upon the canvaseach of these large canvases (some of which are diptychs and triptychs) roughly portrays human figures in various states of violence or dislocation. Titles such as “Killer” and “Where is Your Gun?” offer just the right touch of cheery sunshine. 2207 Second Ave., 206-448-5380. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tues.-Sat.
PORTALIS WINE BAR Nature-inspired semi-abstract paintings and drawings by local architect and artist Chrisinte Chaney. 5310 Ballard Ave. N.W., 206-783-2007. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Tues.-Thurs; 11 a.m.-midnight Fri.-Sun.; closed Mon.
SOIL “Recent Acquisitions” displays work by six new members of the SOIL collective: Debra Baxter, Buddy Bunting, Dan Dean, Thom Heileson, Bret Marion, and Jennifer Zwick. Their photos, drawings, sculpture, and an interactive video piece are on display. 1317 E. Pine St., 206-264-8061. Noon-5 p.m. Thurs.-Sun.
WILLIAM TRAVER Loads of candy-confection glass by Venetian glass artist Massimo Micheluzzi; plus uninspired abstract steel paintings by Kevin Quinn. 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.
WINSTON WÄCHTER “Four from the Northwest” excerpts new work by Julie Speidel, Catherine Eaton Skinner, Betsy Eby, and Victoria Adams. Adams is the one to watch: Her deadpan landscapes seem straight out of the 17th century, yet there’s something intriguing about her obsessive quest to create intentionally unreal images of nature. 403 Dexter Ave. N., 206-652-5855, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat.
Museums
BURKE MUSEUM “Reverent Remembrance” is the Burke’s exploration of how five cultures deal with Mister Death: from an Egyptian mummy to the Celtic roots of Halloween. UW campus, N.E. 45th St. and 17th Ave. N.E., 206-543-5590. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily (until 8 p.m. Thurs.).
FRYE ART MUSEUM What would Velazquez paint if he were a 21st-century American born in Georgia? I’m not sure, but Bo Bartlett seems to think he has the answer. His images are realistic, tightly structured and loaded with theatrics. There’s a palpable sense of mystery and foreboding in such paintings as “Homecoming.” For my taste, there’s just enough weirdness in Bartlett’s work to make it compellingalthough using realistic narrative painting to approach contemporary culture is a little like writing rock reviews in iambic pentameter. Also on display: Chinese expat Zhi Lin’s brutally realistic “Five Capital Executions in China;” “Starvation” depicts a crowd of revelers feasts ravenously, oblivious to the torture in their midst; and “Watermarks” features depictions of the world’s waters by wandering painter Tony Foster. 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 In addition to Lee Bul’s “Live Forever” pods, which turn the once-social karaoke phenomenon into a private, hermetically sealed experience, there’s a heap of things to take in at the Henry. James Turrell’s “Knowing Light” has been extended into February, and if you haven’t treated yourself to these magnificent rooms of pure color and light, you need to stop making excuses and go. “Architecture and Light” showcases some rather sterile but technically interesting photographs from the Henry Monsen collection, while Victoria Haven’s “Supermodel City” is a filigree of red tape pinned to one of the gallery’s walls. Pae White’s “Grotto”a dense mobile made from thousands of colorful cell-like dots suspended from the ceilingcreates a fluid, three-dimensional stream of color. In “Flirting With Rodchenko,” a dozen or so artists attempt monochromatic paintings; best is Anne Appleby’s “Summer in Aspen,” a kind of variation on abstraction inspired by the natural world. UW campus, 206-543-2280. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sun; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Thurs.
MUSEUM OF GLASS “Moving Through Nature” explores variations on landscape and nature through installations by sculptors Mayme Kratz and Stacey Neff; Michael Kenna’s dreamy, Zen-inspired black-and-white photographs of Japan are also included. “Glass of the Avant Garde” includes selections from the Torsten Brohan collection of middle European 20th-century art glass. Exhibit opens Sat. Oct. 4. 1801 East Dock St. Tacoma, 253-396-1768. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat. (third Thurs. of the month until 8 p.m.), noon-5 p.m. Sun.
SEATTLE ART MUSEUM The second installment of SAM’s “International Abstraction: Making Painting Real” offers superb examples of the post-WWII abstract expressionist and minimalist movements. Part II boasts heavy hitters Joseph Albers, Wassily Kandinsky, Paul Klee, and many others. “The View From Here: The Pacific Northwest 1800-1930” offers up a potpourri of paintings, photographs, and Native-American art from the region’s first boom: plus paintings by Albert Bierstad and Paul Kane, photos by Imogen Cunningham, etc. 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 “Discovering Buddhist Art: Seeking the Sublime” recycles Buddhist pieces from the museum’s permanent collection to highlight the diversity of sacred art, from simple, quiet Bodhisattva sculptures to colorful Tibetan thanka paintings. Also on display: two contemporary scrolls by Chinese ink painter Li Jin, including one 59-foot behemoth that pokes fun at the excesses of Chinese celebrations and cuisine. Volunteer Park, 1400 E. Prospect Ave., 206-625-8900. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed.-Sun. ; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Thurs.
TACOMA ART MUSEUM Where do all the American intellectuals and artists go when they’re sick of our backward-ass politics and culture? Paris, mais oui. The touring exhibit “A Transatlantic Avant-Garde: American Artists in Paris, 1918-1939” documents a particularly productive American exodus during the freewheeling, giddy cerebral party that was Paris in the ’20s and ’30s. More than 100 artworks cover the gamut from abstraction to Dada. Elsewhere, “Building Tradition” showcases locals like Fay Jones, Mark Takamichi Miller, and Mary Randlett. 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 Smithsonian-sponsored touring exhibit “Through My Father’s Eyes” contains some 50 images of daily Filipino immigrant life in the 1940s and ’50s by photographer Ricardo Alvarado. 407 Seventh Ave. S., 206-623-5124. 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tues.-Fri.; noon-4 p.m. Sat.-Sun.
