It is perfectly acceptable for an artist to make beautiful work but be incapable of discussing it, but it’s a special happiness when an artist is gifted at expressing himself in words. Tonight’s event is a double feature, then: It’s your chance to view the ceramics, paintings, drawings, and installations of 2009 Stranger Genius Jeffry Mitchell, the queer (in every great sense of that word) elder statesman of Seattle art, and it’s also a time to settle in and listen to him. He’ll be interviewed by Claudia Fitch, another Seattle treasure. (Henry Art Gallery, 15th Ave NE and NE 41st St, www.henryart.org, 7 pm, $10)