SAM Gallery. Soil Show: 11 artists from the Soil collective, including Thom Heileson, Chris Engman, Etsuko Ichikawa, and Claire Johnson. Through Feb. 28. 1220 3rd Ave., Seattle, 206-343-1101, seattleartmuseum.org/artrentals.
Frye Art Museum. "Life After Death": Paintings and drawings from artists who attended Berlin's Leipzig Art Academy following the fall of the Berlin wall, from the Rubell Family Collection. Curator lecture: 2 p.m. Sat. Feb. 18. Also: "Spectatorship & Desire: Lust, Loss, and Love" places beloved Frye collection paintings in a new context. Viewers were asked to record their feelings on the absence of certain permanent pieces, which are now displayed apart from their usual spots, with the public's funny, poignant comments posted nearby. Ends March 4. Feb. 17-June 3. 704 Terry Ave., Seattle, 448-3690. Frye Art Museum. Talks on Film and Art: Robert Horton speaks on In from the Cold: Films from the Iron Curtain and After.. Sun., Feb. 18, 2 p.m. 704 Terry Ave., Seattle, 448-3690.
Tacoma Art Museum. # TAM Biennial/Paul Strand/Frida Kahlo: Biennials are always a mixed bag. As with any group show, each artist only presents a sample, which is why the challenge is to make a Big Memorable Statement. The question is who will achieve it? For its 8th Annual Northwest Biennial, the museum showcases recent work by 41 regional artists, over half from Seattle. There'll be a large-scale hemlock sculpture by Cris Bruch, abstract paintings by Denzil Hurley and Mary Ann Peters, pen and ink frenzies by Keith Tilford, and a packing-peanuts and saliva installation by the ever-intriguing Alex Schweder. Some critic faves are also among the group: Robert Yoder, Jeffry Mitchell, and Brian Murphy with his fleshy Balzacian self-portrait in watercolor. A highlight will be Claude Zervas's elegantly draped cathode-ray tube elegy to Napoleon's final years in exile, Elba, a recent standout at Western Bridge. As for the Big Statement, art trio SuttonBeresCuller are the only ones creating work specifically for the show, with a wryly oversized take on a Ship in a Bottle squeezed into the museum's center courtyard space. The mast will likely stick out past the roof. Ends May 6. SUE PETERS Also: "Paul Strand Southwest" features some never-before-seen prints from the influential photographer's estate. His early-1930s images of the Southwestern landscape, including decayed ghost towns and adobe churches, are as striking as his portraiture. Ends May 23. Also: 60 photographic portraits of iconic artist Frida Kahlo. Through June 10. 1701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, (253) 272-4258.
Foster/White-Seattle. Tom Burrows: Colorful new work. Through Feb. 24. 220 3rd Ave. S., Seattle, 622-2833.
Garde Rail Gallery. Tom D./Melissa Duimstra: Collaborations in painting, collage, and stencil from the married artists. Through Feb. 24. Tashiro-Kaplan Building, 110 Third Ave. S., Seattle, 621-1055.
Winston Wachter. Tony Scherman: New paintings from Tony Scherman and Julie Speidel. Through March 16. 203 Dexter Ave. N., Seattle, 652-5855.
Vain. Studio Works: New works from eight studio members. Through Feb. 28. 2018 1st Ave., Seattle, 441-3441.
Gallery 110. Blackfish Exchange: An exchange of works from Portland's Blackfish Gallery. Through Feb. 24. 110 S. Washington St., (206) 624-9366.
Jacob Lawrence Gallery. "Time works + Digital video 2007": Curated by Western Bridge director Eric Fredericksen, this exhibit features innovative new media work from students in the school of Arts and DXarts. Through Feb. 22. UW campus, Art Building, #132, (206) 85-1805..
