Designers love to gain inspiration by viewing others’ work. We’re lucky to live in the Pacific Northwest, where there are lots of engaging arts events going on throughout the region.
Take a look at this great list of events we found in both The Seattle Times and Events12.
Akio Takamori: Portraits and Sleepers
Earlier this year, artist Takamori — whose work magically combines pathos, politics and a sly sense of humor — died after years of struggling with cancer. The art community is still mourning his passing, and commemorating him with exhibitions. Tacoma’s Museum of Glass presents some of his blown-glass works, loosely based on head-shaped Roman glass flasks from the second and third centuries A.D. Expect more Takamori exhibits in the months to come.
Through May 6; Museum of Glass, 1801 Dock St., Tacoma; $15; 866-468-7386; museumofglass.org
Michael Spafford: Epic Works
In 1982, artist Spafford created a very public kerfuffle after he’d been commissioned to paint massive murals for the Washington State House of Representatives. Spafford specializes in bold, blocky, semiabstract paintings with silhouettes based on Greek and Roman myths, and look like figures who can’t decide whether they’re trying to kill each other or copulate or both. Once they were hung in Olympia, legislators were sputtering-mad and court battles, which cost the state more than Spafford was originally commissioned for the murals, ensued. Now three galleries are simultaneously mounting — pun intended — exhibitions of Spafford’s work. Go for the history; stay for Spafford’s strange, gorgeous combination of muscularity and delicacy, violence and sensuality that transcends whatever pearl-clutching instincts sent politicians into a tizzy back in 1982.
April 5-28, Davidson Galleries, 313 Occidental Ave. S., Seattle, davidsongalleries.com; April 5-May 26, Greg Kucera Gallery, 212 Third Ave. S., Seattle, gregkucera.com; March 31-May 26, Woodside/Braseth Gallery, 1201 Western Ave., Seattle, woodsidebrasethgallery.com; free. Check websites for details.
Preston Singletary: The Air World
Artist Preston Singletary started working with glass art in the early 1980s, but later realized its possibilities — in terms of line and shape — that could give new dimensions for expressing the Tlingit aesthetics he grew up with. His work varies from cast-lead crystal to blown and sand-carved objects that look like nods to tradition but playfully reject the convention that Native artists should only work with “traditional” materials.
April 5-28; Traver Gallery, 110 Union St., #200, Seattle; free; 206-587-6501, travergallery.com
Questlove
In his new book, “Creative Quest,” the musician, producer and author examines the eternal mystery of creativity: what it is, how you find it, how you develop it.
8 p.m. Friday, April 20; Washington Hall, 153 14th Ave., Seattle; $75 (includes copy of book); 206-621-2230, lectures.org
Jono Vaughan: “Project 42”
This March, artist Jono Vaughan said in a statement: “When a trans individual is murdered, they’re first dehumanized by the act of violence, and then further dehumanized by media that tends to emphasize their transness, rather than their unique personhood,” according to the Bellevue Reporter. Vaughan began making garments to honor murdered trans individuals — and their unique personhood — back in 2012, and plans to continue until 42 garments have been made. Each garment begins with a Google Earth screenshot of the spot where the person was killed, which Vaughan turns into an abstract textile pattern, then designs a garment for someone to wear in performances.
April 21-Aug. 5; Seattle Art Museum, 1300 First Ave., Seattle; $12.95-$19.95; 206-654-3100, seattleartmuseum.org
Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes
MoPOP stages what it claims to be its largest exhibition ever, with 300 Marvel-inspired objects: artwork from the comics, costumes and props from the movies and, according to MoPOP’s website, “immersive set pieces” like Tony Stark’s laboratory.
Opening April 21; Museum of Pop Culture, 325 Fifth Ave. N., Seattle; $25-$36; mopop.org
Olympia arts weekend
April 27 – 28, 2018
Admire art Friday evening and Saturday at Arts Walk. Join a luminary procession Friday at 9:30 p.m. Watch people parade as animals in the Procession of the Species Saturday at 4:30 p.m. Free.
Underground art show
April 28, 2018 (8 p.m.)
The Seattle Pancakes & Booze Art Show is a traveling exhibition by 70 artists, with free pancakes, DJ music, live body painting, and a bar at El Corazon for age 21+. Pay cash at the door or buy a line-jumper ticket online.
Printing festival
April 28 – 29, 2018
Meet printers, make paper creations, and watch steamrollers print art at Tacoma Wayzgoose. Free.
Student art show
April 28 – May 12, 2018 (opens April 27 5:30 p.m.)
Cornish College of the Arts showcases the work of its Bachelor of Fine Arts students at the BFA Exhibition. See art at 2000 Terry Avenue, design at 2014 9th Avenue, and film at 1001 Lenora Street. Free.