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Lectures and Events
Only in the Contemplation of Beauty Is Human Life Worth Living Distinguished Princeton philosopher and confessed aesthete Alexander Nehamas discusses the importance of beauty in the first of this year's Solomon Katz Distinguished Lectures in the Humanities. 7 p.m. Thurs. Nov. 17. UW Kane Hall (Room 110), 206-543-3920.
Symposium: American Radical Culture, 1930–1960 William Cumming's early involvement with radical-left thinking put him in touch with sensibilities that would later inform and strengthen his work, such as the plight of the nation's workers and minorities. Local art historian Matthew Kangas hosts this daylong discussion of the Communist connection between the venerable painter and his powerful art (in conjunction with the Frye's current Cumming exhibit). The octogenarian artist is among the notable scholars and critics speaking at the event, which is divided into two sessions. "The Great Depression: Radical Art, Theatre, and Politics, 1930–1945" (10 a.m.-noon) and "Communist Party USA: From Allies to Enemies, 1945-1960" (2-5 p.m.). Sat. Nov. 19. Frye Art Museum, 704 Terry Ave., free, 206-622-9250 ext. 200, www.fryemuseum.org.
Openings
James Harris Jeffry Miller's "Ceramic Sculpture" is folk art-inspired terra cotta earthenware. Reception: 6-8 p.m. Thurs. Nov. 17. 309A Third Ave., 206-903-6220, www.jamesharrisgallery.com. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed.-Sat. Ends Dec. 23.
Greg Kucera Oil and wax minimalist block paintings by Anne Appleby and seemingly simple drawings of structures by Philippe Weisbecker. Reception: 6-8 p.m. Thurs. Nov. 17. 212 Third Ave., 206-624-0770, www.gregkucera.com. 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tues.-Sat. Ends Dec. 31.
Viveza "Travelers" features 10 ghostly oil paintings by Seattle artist Carole d'Inverno. Reception: 6-10 p.m. Fri. Nov. 18. 2604 Western Ave., 206-956-3584, www.viveza.com. Noon-5 p.m. Wed.-Sun. Ends Dec. 31.
Last Chance
Carolyn Staley Selections of intricate cut-paper Japanese stencils from the late Edo, Meiji (1868-1912), and Taisho (1912-1926) periods. 314 Occidental Ave., 206-621-1888. 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat. Ends Nov. 19.
Cornish College Gallery "Focus," Elizabeth Conner's overly stark effort to redefine white space with simple lighting and empty pedestal blocks. Also, "New Logo," a sparse but promising display of three student attempts to rebrand the U.S.A., a product that has been somewhat tarnished since Sept. 11. 1000 Lenora St., 206-726-5011. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Fri. Ends Nov. 18.
Jacob Lawrence Margie Livingston's geometric color bars explore the ephemeral characteristics of nature; Leo Saul Berk combines computer technology with traditional photography; and Robert Yoder constructs pop-culture collages with architectural influences that imply construction and destruction. UW School of Art, 206-685-1805. Noon-4 p.m. Tues.-Sat. Ends Nov. 19.
Platform Works by Jennifer McNeely depict the upkeep and repair that characterize women's lives. 114 Third Ave. S., 206-323-2808, www.platformgallery.com. 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Thurs.-Sat. Ends Nov. 19.
Galleries
Art and Soul Celebrity photographer Nikolas Muray was both lover and friend to Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. Muray's portraits of Kahlo have been reprinted by Art and Soul using a rare color carbon printing process. 2860 N.W. Market St., 206-297-1223. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. Ends Dec. 30.
Artcore Studios "Citizens in Hell" is a collection of sculpture, prints, and paintings by eight local artists. The works explore hell as a literal, personal, or allegorical place. 5501-A Airport Way S., 206-767-2673. Noon-10 p.m. Tues.-Sat.; noon-7 p.m. Sun. Ends Dec. 9.
Artforte Vancouver artist Jennifer Jean Tazwell Mawby makes her U.S. solo debut with paintings that interpret the Northwest landscape through an American Tonalist perspective. 213 First Ave. S., 206-748-0187. 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Sat.; noon-5 p.m. Sun. Ends Nov. 30.
Art/Not Terminal Georgetta Marie Gancarz honors her late mother with "Artists for Breast Cancer," a fund-raiser for women with stage three or four breast cancer. Also: "In the Mix," the latest mixed-media painting by Harry Bonnette. 2045 Westlake Ave., 206-233-0680, www.antgallery.org. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Sat.; noon-5 p.m. Sun. Ends Dec. 1.
Artists Gallery of Seattle "My View" features new oil paintings by R.J. Stockwell. 902 First Ave. S., 206-340-0830. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Tues.-Sat.; noon-5 p.m. Sun. Ends Nov. 30.
ArtsWest "Still Life & Other Things" presents colored-pencil paintings by Kay Dewar, atypical still lifes by Gisela Scheer, Patricia Seggebruch's mixed-media abstractions, and Takuya Tokizawa's playful art glass. 4711 California Ave. S.W., 206-938-0963, www.artswest.org. Noon- 7 p.m. Tues.-Sat. Ends Dec. 3.
Baas Art Gallery Fulgencio Lazo's colorful oil paintings evoke Paul Klee and Marc Chagall in their vivid depictions of family, heritage, and community in his native Oaxaca. Also: Wendy McMillan's "Road Trip" features mixed-media prints. 2703 E. Madison St., 206-324-4742, www.baasartgallery.com. 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. Mon-Sat. Ends Nov. 30.
Ballard/Fetherston Intriguing new paintings by Michael Shultheis, whose past passions for math and economics slip into his acrylic paintings as random numbers and subconscious calculations. If synapses were paintable, they might look like this. 818 E. Pike St., 206-322-9440, www.ballardfetherstongallery.com, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat. Ends Jan. 7.
BallardWorks Painter Matthew Calcavecchia monkeys around with evolution, Avraham Zorea's paintings colorfully explore the nexus of personal and universal experience, and Katherine Morgan delves into water abstractions with pencil and solvent on transparencies. Reception: 6-9 p.m. Sat. Nov. 12. 2856 N.W. Market St., 206-784-9987, www. ballardworks.org. Noon-4 p.m. Sat. Ends Dec. 3.
