Visual Arts Listings

Museum of Flight "Suitcase Sightings," curated by longtime Seattle (now Tacoma) artist Lynn DiNino, features a creative array of suitcases re-imagined by local artists, most remarkably as a giraffe named Tallulah. 9404 E. Marginal Way S., 206-764-5700, www.museumofflight.org. Free with museum admission ($14; $13 seniors, $7.50 youth 5-17). 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Ends Feb. 2.

Museum of Glass "Czech Glass, 1945–1980: Design in an Age of Adversity" presents glasswork from a difficult era in Czech postwar history. Museum of Glass, 1801 E. Dock St. (Tacoma), 253-284-4750, www.museumofglass.org. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Weds.-Sat. (until 8 p.m. every third Thurs. of the month); noon-5 p.m. Sun. Ends June 18.

Nordic Heritage Museum "Parallel Paths—Two Generations in Art" features contemporary embroidery and fiber art by Finnish mother and daughter Riita-Liisa Haavisto and Anne-Ritta Haavisto. Also: "Boundary Crossings—Temperal Dialogues in Finnish Landscape Photography" includes work by Johannes Grano, Jorma Puranen, Pentti Sammallahti, and Taneli Eskola. 3014 N.W. 67th St., 206-789-5707, www.nordicmuseum.org. Free with museum admission ($6; $5 seniors/ college students; $4 kids five and up). 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tues.-Sat.; noon-4 p.m. Sun. Ends Feb. 5.

Seattle Art Museum (Closed for expansion until spring of 2007; see Web site for details.) 100 University St., 206-654-3100, www.seattleartmuseum.org.

Seattle Asian Art Museum SAAM reopens after a reroofing hiatus with four new shows. "Discovering Buddhist Art—Seeking the Sublime" delves into the museum's permanent collection of Asian Buddhist art, representing China, Korea, India, Japan, Thailand, and Tibet. Also: Tooba, an allegorical video by Iranian-born artist Shirin Neshat about a woman who turns into a tree; "The Orchid Pavilion Gathering: Chinese Painting from the University of Michigan Museum of Art"; and "Fragrance of the Past: Chinese Calligraphy and Painting by Ch'ung-ho Chang Frankel and Friends." Volunteer Park, 1400 E. Prospect St., 206- 654-3100, www.seattleartmuseum.org. 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Tues.-Sun.; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Thurs. "Orchid" and "Fragrance" end April 2; Tooba ends Sept. 30; "Buddha" is ongoing.

Tacoma Art Museum In "Contemporary Photography and the Garden—Deceits and Fantasies," 15 American and European photographers interpret the symbolism of gardens. 1701 Pacific Ave. (Tacoma), 253-272-4258, www.tacomaartmuseum.org. Every third Thursday free and open until 8 p.m. 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Tues.-Sat.; noon-5 p.m. Sun. Ends April 30.