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Lectures and Events

Benefit Party for Buddy Foley This fund- raising event is for artist Buddy Foley, a presence in the local art scene for four decades, who is now struggling with a debilitating illness. Events include a memorabilia exhibit, music, a no-host bar, and a video screening. 6-9 p.m. Thurs. July 28. Consolidated Works, 500 Boren St., $25, 206-329-1966.

Bellevue Festival of the Arts A weekend of arts, crafts, food, and activities in downtown Bellevue. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Fri. July 29-Sat. July 30; 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. Sun. July 31. Bellevue Way Northeast and Northeast Eighth St., free, www.bellevuefest.org.

Henry Bash The theme of this year’s summer extravaganza at the Henry Art Gallery is “Bashville,” and the place will twang with live and DJ’ed music, roving dance squads, a photo booth manned by local photographer Alice Wheeler, a performance by the theater-music group “Awesome,” and an auction of art by more than 200 artists. 7:30 p.m.- 1 a.m. Sat. July 30. Henry Art Gallery, UW campus, $35-$40 (ages 21+ only), 206-543-2280.

Lecture: Movement-Study Photography UW photographer and professor Rebecca Cummins talks about early experiments in movement-study photography by Etienne-Jules Marey and Eadweard Muybridge, in conjunction with the Henry’s current exhibition “Seeing the Unseen.” 7 p.m. Thurs. July 28. Henry Art Gallery, UW campus, free, 206- 543-2280.

Last Chance

All City Coffee “Red Grass and Other Distortions of Nature” features digitally altered photos of the natural world by Malcolm Smith. 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. Ends Sat. July 30.

Bluebottle “Letting Go of Holding On,” new paintings examining love, conflict, and relationships by Tim McCormick. 415 E. Pine St., 206-325-1592. 1-7 p.m. Tues.-Fri.; noon-6 p.m. Sat.-Sun. Ends Sun. July 31.

Carolyn Staley Eleven prints depicting nude, frolicking, self-confident Buddhist goddesses, by Japanese artist Mayumi Oda. 314 Occidental Ave. S., 206-621-1888. 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat. Ends Sun. July 31.

Davidson Ghostly female figures emerging from marble by Oregon sculptor M.J. Anderson. 313 Occidental Ave. S., 206-624-7684. 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tues.-Sat. Ends Sat. July 30.

Foster/White Bulbous, globular glass sculptures by David Schwarz. 123 S. Jackson St., 206-622-2833. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Sat.; noon-5 p.m. Sun. Ends Fri. July 29.

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 concepts 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. Ends Sun. July 31.

Gallery 4 Culture A sampling of abstract paintings from King County’s public art collection, including work by Alden Mason, Susan Dory, and Patricia Hagen. 506 Second Ave., Suite 200 (Smith Tower), 206-296-7580. 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri. Ends Fri. July 29.

Gallery 110 Two artists, each with a compelling, disturbing vision: James Cicatko paints monstrous child-beasts in a putrid pink and blue palette, while Carl Jackson creates gothic, near-abstract surrealism. 110 S. Washington St., 206-624-9336. Noon-5 p.m. Wed.-Sat. Ends Sat. July 30.

Garde Rail “Four X Northwest” brings together four self-taught, outsider artists from these parts: Anne Grgich’s painted ladies on panel, Ree Brown’s watercolors of birds, cats, and people, Tim Fowler’s cartoony figures carved from wood, and Gregory Blackstock’s meticulous “list” paintings. 110 Third Ave. S., 206-621-1055. 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Wed.-Fri.; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. Ends Sat. July 30.

James Harris Claude Zervas’ new work, “The County,” obliquely approaches the nature and landscape of the Northwest via technologically sophisticated sculpture. Rivers, forests, and the environment are alluded to through fluorescent lights, cascading wire, LEDs, and video projection. 309A Third Ave., 206-903-6220. 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Wed.-Sat. Ends Sun. July 31.

Joe Bar “Images of the Floating World” features Maija Fiejbig’s peacefully trippy paintings inspired by Japanese decorative art. 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. Ends Sun. July 31.

Linda Hodges “Patterns of the Celestial Gallery,” new paintings of a spiritual nature by Alfredo Arreguin. 316 First Ave. S., 206-624-3034. 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tues.-Sat. Ends Sat. July 30.

Platform New paintings by five talented artists: Jaq Chartier (Seattle), James Gudat (Portland), Patte Loper (New York), Daniel Rushton (New York), and Kim Squaglia (Sacramento). 114 Third Ave. S., 206-323-2808. 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Thurs.-Sat. Ends Sat. July 30.

Priceless Works “Underneath Style” is a showcase of experimental noise/sound art by local artists and musicians; also on display: Vernacular, an oral history of HIV/AIDS survivors by Joe Plotts and Dan Weisser, and new drawings and sculpture by Matt Sellars. 619 N. 35th St., Suite 100, 206-349-9943. Noon-6 p.m. Thurs.-Sun. Ends Sat. July 30.

Seattle Art Museum Rental/Sales Gallery This month’s featured local gallery is Greg Kucera. On the walls, you’ll see work by gallery favorites Mark Calderon, Jack Daws, Claudia Fitch, Sherry Markovitz, Tim Roda, Katy Stone, and others. 1220 Third Ave., 206-343-1101. 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat. Ends Sat. July 30.

SOIL “History and Prophecy: A Bestiary for the 21st Century” is a group show of off-kilter drawings and sculpture inspired by the odd creatures of the earth. Includes work by Jessica Balsam, Howard Barlow, Shannon Eakins, and Justin Gibbens. Also on display: modified Polaroids by Robin Dupuy. 112 Third Ave. S., 206-264-8061. Noon-5 p.m. Thurs.-Sun. Ends Sun. July 31; closing reception: 7-10 p.m. Fri. July 29.

Vain “Soles in the Mist,” new paintings on screen prints by local artist Iosufatu Sua. Sua’s bold, ironic graphic designs draw on influences as disparate as Polynesian iconography, Japanese woodcuts, and urban street art. 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. Ends Sun. July 31.

William Traver Delicate vessels carved from madrona and other woods by Lopez Island sculptor Michael Peterson. 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. July 31.

Galleries

Francine Seders For the past several years, local photographer Spike Mafford has been trying to figure out how to bring the aesthetic experience of visual art to both the blind and sighted, and the results of his experiments will be on display in a new show, “Braille.” Mafford has incorporated tactile elements, including Braille lettering and raised forms, into his printed photos with the goal of discovering how a printed photograph changes after being touched by arts “viewers.” 6701 Greenwood Ave. N., 206-782-0355. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.- Sat.; 1-5 p.m. Sun.

G. Gibson Eight artists taking a peek at nature are part of “You Can’t See the Forest,” a group show of photographs, collage, and mixed-media constructions. Includes a forest collage by Seattle photographer Paul Berger and lovely skyscapes by Scotland’s Iain Steweart. 300 S. Washington St., 206-587-4033. 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Wed.-Fri.; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.

Greg Kucera New work by Montana artist Deborah Butterfield, who does clever, larger-than-life sculptures of horses from bronze, found wood, and scrap metal. 212 Third Ave., 206-624-0770. 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tues.-Sat.

Howard House Local artist Juniper Shuey’s debut solo show, “Mystery in Which We All Participate,” involves five video installations and one sculpture exploring notions of perception, the body, and religious transformation. 604 Second Ave., 206-256-6399. 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat.

Jack Straw New Media Gallery Rene Yung’s installation “Four Dignities” uses fabric screens and quiet audio to encourage viewers to experience the Buddhist concept of mindfulness in four states: sitting, walking, standing, and lying down. 4261 Roosevelt Way N.E., 206-634-0919. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Fri.

Photographic Center Northwest “Focused” presents the results of PCNW’s 10th annual photo contest, this year judged by Mary Virginia Swanson. 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.

Roq La Rue A satiric look at the stereotypes and folk art of the rural South and West, “Big Rock Candy Mountain” features paintings and drawings by Gary Monroe, Thomas Huck, Jon Langford, Fred Stonehouse, Daniel Martin Diaz, and Ryan Greis. 2316 Second Ave., 206-374-8977. 2-6 p.m. Tues.-Sat.; noon-4 p.m. Sun.

Solomon Fine Art Jeffrey Sarmiento’s “In a Matter of Speaking” offers glass art that’s a refreshing antidote to the decorative banalities of Seattle’s glut of glass. In his first solo show, the work ranges from small to over 5 feet high and incorporates a dense network of halftone screens and text. 215 First Ave., 206-297-1400. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

Suyama Space In Utah-based artist Paul Stout’s oddly compelling installation “Second Nature,” huge blades of “grass” grow up from assorted Victorian coffee tables. (Also, don’t miss Stout’s virtuoso mechanical bugs under glass in the adjacent space.) 2324 Second Ave., 206-256-0809. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri.

Western Bridge German artist Daniel Roth’s strange and subtle installation River Styx presents “evidence”—in drawings, sculpture, and photography—of an underground river running west from Seattle, below the Olympic Peninsula, and out to a burial island off the coast. Also on display is Rodney Graham’s clever second look at an old oak tree, Roni Horn’s obsessive 100-photo installation You Are the Weather, and a justly famous series of portraits of four sisters taken over a span of 30 years by Nicholas Nixon. And speaking of the River Styx, you’ll feel like you’ve been to hell and back after experiencing Gary Hill’s numbing video Wall Piece, a study in frustration, artistic struggle, and the failure of language. 3412 Fourth Ave. S., 206-838-7444. Noon-6 p.m. Thurs.-Sat.

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

Bellevue Arts Museum BAM is back with a re-tooled mission as an accessible (read: noncontroversial) place for art, craft, and design. Executive Director Michael Monroe launches the resurrection with “The Artful Teapot,” an impressive but safe collection of 250 teapots as sculpture. Albert Paley’s new–Art Nouveau iron work is nice and intricate, kind of like a Chihuly is nice and intricate (fans of the Tacoma glassmeister can see one of his newly commissioned works in BAM’s lobby). And for those who just can’t get enough glass, there’s an exhibit of art and posters from the early days of the Pilchuck Glass School. 510 Bellevue Way N.E., 425-519-0770. 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tues.-Sat. (until 9 p.m. Thurs.); 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Sun.

Burke Museum Subhankar Banerjee’s magnificent photos of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge are the result of a two-year expedition among caribou and tundra. Savor these images, before ExxonMobil and BP bring their “low impact” drilling apparatus to ANWR. Also on display: traditional and contemporary Native American art depicting arctic animals. UW campus, Northeast 45th Street and 17th Avenue Northeast, 206-543-5590. 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. daily (until 8 p.m. Thurs.).

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. Also on display: “Spectatorship and Desire: Lust” rehangs some of the Frye’s permanent collection in a salon-style jumble. 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 German-born Seattle artist Trimpin does amazing things combining technological gizmos with more analog stuff like typewriters, player pianos, and other musical instruments. (His best-known work is the immense Roots and Branches sculpture of robotically controlled guitars at EMP.) The next year is going to be something of a Trimpin celebration, with local galleries and museums showcasing the artist’s various kinetic sculptures. At the Henry, the wonderfully titled installation Phfftt! involves some 200 electronically controlled woodwind instruments you can play with a series of two dials—or you can simply listen to one of 12 manic, lighthearted, or sinister compositions by the composer. Also on display: Do not miss the magnificent Francis Bacon painting Study for a Pope IV on display in its own room. The 1961 work is a late piece in Bacon’s startling series of popes; this one is a haunting combination of authority and impotence. The skull-like head seems to shift and shimmer before your eyes, and the feeble hands make the pontiff seem very fallible indeed. Also, “Seeing the Unseen,” a fascinating collection prints of X-ray, microscopic, time-lapse, and other 19th and 20th century photographic novelties. UW campus, 206-543-2280. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sun.; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Thurs.

Seattle Art Museum “Isamu Noguchi—Sculptural Design” is an unorthodox and splashy exploration of the eclectic 20th-century sculptor-designer. The exhibit is a visual and sonic extravaganza designed by theater experimentalist Robert Wilson. Various rooms evoke different themes in Noguchi’s long career: His work in the theater with the likes of Martha Graham takes the shape of a brooding theatrical space; intensely material sculptural works are set in a Zen rock garden complete with several tons of raked gravel. Other rooms suggest Noguchi’s mission to popularize art through mass-produced design. There are moments when the whole project goes over the top—the canned thunder and lightning accompanying a model of a monument to Benjamin Franklin (complete with kite and key) is just a bit much. Still, this is a fascinating look at an artist who managed to span divides between cultures and artistic disciplines. Also on display: “Africa in America” is a varied and complex exploration of slavery, displacement, and ethnic culture as 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. 100 University St., 206-654-3100. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sun.; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Thurs.