CENTERS

BELLEVUE ART MUSEUM, 301 Bellevue Square, (in the mall), 425-454-3322.

1999 Pacific Northwest Annual--This year's juror, Jon Tupper, director of the Walter Phillips Gallery and Associate Director of Creative Residencies in Media and Visual Arts at the Banff Centre for the Arts, made his selection from over 600 entries. It's a whopper with 136 works by 93 regional artists. Through Aug 22.

CENTER ON CONTEMPORARY ART, 65 Cedar St, 728-1980.

Land/Use/Action--A four-tiered project of visual and performance work that encourages viewers to consider the relationship between people and land in both intellectual and experimental terms. The Center for Land Use Interpretation from Los Angeles will conduct three tours in Seattle focusing on various concerns and perspectives related to how we alter the landscape with industrial and commercial growth. Here and There features 10 local artists who have created site-specific work around Seattle. Marilyn Arsem, a Boston-based performance artist, has also been commissioned to produce a site-specific work. Through July 31.

FRYE ART MUSEUM, 704 Terry Ave, 622-9250.

Richard Buswell--Photographic still lifes and landscapes depicting rustic Western relics, by a Montana doctor turned artist. Through Aug 1.

HENRY ART GALLERY, 15th Ave NE at NE 41st St, 543-2280.

Hillary Leone and Jennifer Macdonald--Collaborating for over 10 years New York artists Leone and Macdonald have created works dealing with tough social and political issues including the AIDS pandemic, censorship, and racial biases. The five installations and over 40 objects and 2D pieces chosen examine more than a decade of collaboration. The work is refined and delicate, incorporating mixed media with a wide variety of materials such as bronze, paper, silver, needlework, and sand. Through Oct 3.

Jennifer Steinkamp--An installation entitled Phase = Time was created as the first commissioned new work in the series Future Forward, which features artists working with new technologies. Rhythmically pulsating light patterns flamesow across a scrim, creating a large-scale abstract environment for viewers to become engulfed and slightly nauseous in. Through Oct 3.

MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND INDUSTRY, 2700 24th Ave E, 324-1126.

Phil Borges--The Enduring Spirit is a collaborative project between Amnesty International and celebrated photographer Borges, featuring over 50 captivating images of people from indigenous cultures. This is not simple travel photography, but rather haunting, emotional portraits that are highly respectful of his stunning subjects. Through Aug 29.

SEATTLE ART MUSEUM, 100 University St, 654-3158.

Impressionism: Paintings Collected from European Museums--SAM has co-organized an exhibition of over 60 paintings, the largest body of Impressionist work ever shown in the Northwest. Included are pieces by Paul Cezanne, Edgar Degas, Paul Gauguin, Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Berthe Morisot, Camille Pissarro, Pierre Auguste Renoir, Alfred Sisley, and Vincent van Gogh. Through Aug 29.

Anselm Keifer and Germanic Tradition--Paintings, works on paper, and sculpture bring contemporary German works into focus. Keifer, born at the end of WWII, balances visually powerful imagery with intellectual critical analysis in highly dramatic paintings. Works by Max Beckmann, Rosemarie Trockel, and others. Through Dec 5.

*Lucian Freud--An exhibition of etchings from the PaineWebber collection, composed of 25 portrait heads and 17 nudes created in the 1980s, as well as early works from the 1940s. Freud, a British artist and grandson of the great psychoanalyst, is in his late 70s and has been recognized for decades for his dark, psychological figurative work. Through Aug 15.

*Roy McMakin--In an installation dividing the gallery into the layout of a house--bedroom, bathroom, living room, and dining room, Seattle artist, furniture maker, and architect McMakin uses stacks upon stacks of generic, store-bought household items, including refrigerators, toilets, tables, and mattresses. Each item stands in for others: a line of toilets becomes a couch, several refrigerators on their backs become a bed. This unconventional stuffing of a traditional living situation creates an environment of carefully calculated manic obsession. Through Oct 31.

SEATTLE ASIAN ART MUSEUM, 1400 E Prospect St, Volunteer Park, 654-3100.

Flights of Fancy--Screens, scrolls, and lacquers pulled from the museum's collection in this exhibition about natural and supernatural imagery in Japanese art. Heads up for the flamesames of hell, dragons, cranes, horse-headed demons, and other fantastical visions, both evil and sublime. Through July 25.

Worlds of Fantasy: Chinese Shadow Puppets--Volunteer Park hosts more than 70 puppets from the 19th century. The majority of the exhibited works come from the collection of Theodore Bodde, who purchased the extraordinary objects while in Beijing in the 1930s. Chinese textiles with related themes will accompany. Ongoing.

TACOMA ART MUSEUM, 1123 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, 253-627-1898.

The Art Guys Again and Again--Art hijinks at their best. The Art Guys, Jack Massing and Michael Galbreth from Houston, take everyday objects and make hysterical sculptures, installations, and often performance-based pieces. TAM has pieces made of American cheese, 99 bottles of beer, and 1950s suitcases. Don't be surprised if you see the pair sporting their Todd Oldham suits with embroidered advertising plugs for companies like Absolut vodka. Through July 25.

Sue Coe--A retrospective of prints featuring works from 1979 to the present. Coe is renowned for her hard-hitting, propaganda-filled prints dealing with subjects of controversy and high emotion. The violence of war and rape, the vulnerability of children, animal cruelty, and racial and social injustice are themes she tackles in a somewhat shocking but always informative way. Through July 18.

WING LUKE ASIAN MUSEUM, 407 Seventh Ave S, 623-5124.

A Different Battle--An exhibit that explores the stories of Asian Pacific American (APA) veterans who served in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Grenada Invasion, and the Persian Gulf War. The stories are conveyed through written text, audio, and video components that are divided into two sections--how the military and combat shaped the lives of these veterans, and how it has affected the lives of individuals, families, and communities of future generations. Through April 9, 2000.

OPENINGS

FIVE AT PHINNEY--Four photographers and one sculptor who all insist on using their middle initials show their stuff. Joel S. Grossman, Deborah E. Kirsner, Laura J. Hammond, Gregory Van De Rostyne, and Jerry M. Weissman. Phinney Center Gallery, 6532 Phinney Ave N, 783-2244. Fri July 16 through Aug 27.

FULGENCIO LAZO--Lazo, originally from Oaxaca, Mexico, paints exuberant, narrative scenes inspired by the myths and stories from his own Zapotec Indian heritage. Work this truly joyful is a rarity. Tule Gallery, 316 First Ave, 748-9904. Fri July 16 through Aug 15.

NEO-GRAFFITI PROJECT--The grand opening of a new venue and a celebration of the launch of Tokion Magazine's Neo-Graffiti Project featuring works by artist/graphic artists Barry McGe, Phil Frost, Shepard Fairey, Kaws, and Perks. Houston, 907 E Pike St, Sat July 17 through Aug 31.

*MARIELE NEUDECKER--Large-scale gouache drawings featuring the reconstructions of maps of the world drawn from memory by individuals chosen at random around Europe. A German born artist working in London, this is her first West Coast solo exhibition. Her work will be included in the 1999 Melbourne Biennial, which makes her an artist to watch. Jim Harris Gallery, 309A Third Ave S, 903-6226. Through Aug 21.

SUMMER GROUP SHOW--If you haven't been by to see this terrific new gallery, now is the time. Their current show is a great introduction to gallery artists: Nicolas Africano, Jeff Joyce, Sherry Kerlin, Antonio Murado, Chris Pfister, Tony Scherman, Jose Maria Sicilia, George Stoll, and Donald Sultan. Winston Wachter Fine Art, 403 Dexter Ave N, 652-5855. Tues July 13 through Aug 13.

CONTINUING EXHIBITS

2-D--A group show of gallery artists including Shawn Ferris, Susan Robb, Seth Thompson, and more. LEAD Gallery, 1022 First Ave, 623-6240. Through July 30.

*JANO ARGUE--Viewing Argue's work is like visiting the creepiest carnival or seediest seaside resort ever imaginable. Working in a flameseshy-toned palette, Argue's truly unique narrative is presented with strong brushwork and a remarkable figurative sensitivity. Lisa Harris Gallery, 1922 Pike Place, 443-3315. Through July 31.

BASEBALL--A group exhibit with photography and works in mixed media in honor of the great American pastime. G. Gibson Gallery, 122 S Jackson, Suite 200, 587-4033. Through Aug 21.

RICK BORG--This self-taught artist creates two-sided paintings on wood depicting fantastical scenes such as men riding alligators. The works are finished off with frames made of broom and mop handles. Garde Rail Gallery, 312 First Ave S #5, 623-3004. Through July 31.

CHANDELIERS OVER MADRONA--A 20-foot chandelier of musical instruments posing as an outdoor sculpture by Trimpin. Madrona Automatic, 1435 34th Ave, 329-7869. Through Aug 1.

*CRAIG COLEMAN/JESSE PAUL MILLER--Coleman's interactive installation allows viewers to choose imagery that is projected onto the gallery walls. Some of the best images are of places like Hooters, Blockbuster Video, and other American strip mall locales--what a choice. It's perfect. Miller exhibits two sculptural works incorporating water and Plexiglas with sonic elements. SOIL, 310 First Ave S, 264-8061. Through Aug 1.

*JOE MAX EMMINGER--Emminger has been painting in the Northwest for over 20 years and there's not a better figurative painter out there. Not in a technical sense, but rather, he has paired down and manages to capture a complex and quietly intimate narrative with so few lines flamesoating on boldly colored backgrounds. They're touching. Grover Thurston Gallery, 309 Occidental Ave S, 223-0816. Through Aug 14.

TONY FOSTER--British artist Foster travels the world and creates intimate visual diaries of the locations he visits. The resulting pieces are a mixture of watercolor renderings, artifacts from the site, and often, written descriptions. The featured works are of the Cascades and other volcanic ranges. Eyre/Moore Gallery, 913 Western Ave, 624-5596. Through July 31.

FOTOGRAFIS DE LA ESPERANZA--Curated by the Sicardi Sanders Gallery in Houston, this photographic exhibition hopes to relate the sense of hope and history, pride and heritage, of Latin American culture. Benham Gallery, 1216 First Ave, 622-2480. Through July 31.

A GOOD EYE--In celebration of the new Safeco baseball field this group show displays works by the 11 artists commissioned to create pieces for the ballpark. Over 75 artists are featured in an exhibit of historical collections, photography, video, sculpture, soundwork, and paintings celebrating baseball. Seafirst Gallery, Columbia Seafirst Center, 701 5th Ave, Floor 3, 585-3200. Through Aug 13.

TOM GORMALLY--Encaustic drawings and wall relief sculpture. Two Bells Tavern, 2313 Fourth Ave, 441-3050. Through Aug 1.

*ANDREAS GRUNERT--Grunert, a German artist who shows internationally, paints with a bold and clean hand. His paintings have the power of Robert Motherwell's work and the monolithic figurative presence found in the paintings of folk artist Mose Tolliver. JON GERLICH shows new drawings upstairs. Francine Seders Gallery, 6701 Greenwood Ave N, 782-0355. Through Aug 1.

*PATRICK HOLDERFIELD--Curated by The Stranger's Eric Fredericksen, The Little Theatre has had a string of interesting exhibitions in their lobby, the latest being new sculptures by Seattle's Holderfield. Industrial foam oozes from found objects such as auto parts, pipes, and home appliances creating a sense of invasion that is less nightmarish than comic, like the takeover of our planet in the movie The Blob. The Little Theatre, 608 19th Ave E, 329-2629. Through Aug 1.

*HORSEHEAD INTERNATIONAL 1999--Thirty-six artists from the Northwest and beyond have created site specific works on the grounds of Sand Point. With the map provided they are all easy to find, and the setting is hard to beat. Horsehead at the Sand Point Naval Base, Magnuson Park, 282-2935. Through Sept 30.

LIMINAL--Curated by Christian French and Sean Vale, this show examines minimalism in contemporary works by Northwest artists. Some of the participating artists are Matthew Landkammer, Geoff Garza, Robert Yoder and Mark Lindsey. Art Space, 216 Alaskan Way S, 442-9365. Through Aug 8.

LYN McCRACKEN--Silver gelatin prints in a show entitled Company, Claiming, Espejo. Zeitgeist, 616 S Jackson, 583-0497. Through Aug 4.

CHRIS MARS/KERRY RYAN SIMMONS--Tim Burton would love these dark figurative works by Mars, the former drummer of the Replacements. Fantastical paintings with spiritual undertones by Simmons. Roq La Rue, 2224 Second Ave, 399-6952. Through July 30.

*HEATHER DEW OAKSEN--A video installation at two sites that tracks the lives of 10 teenagers during incarceration at a maximum-security juvenile corrections facility and throughout the four years following their release. Gulf is part of CoCA's Here and There exhibition which puts 10 visual artists into different neighborhoods to create works with the community in mind. 911 Media Arts Center Window, 117 Yale Ave N, 682-6552. Through July 31.

MARK O'CONNELL--Eight digital media pieces created over the last four years. Howard House, 2017 Second Ave, 256-6399. Through Aug 1.

ALEXANDER PETROV--Petrov is a transplanted Russian artist who paints luscious surreal landscapes filled with portly yet sexually charged figures. His cast of characters often includes lovers, harlequins, body builders, military men, and scantily clad women. Davidson Galleries, 313 Occidental Ave S, 624-7684. Through July 31.

YVONNE PUFFER/HELEN LESSIK--I love drawings! Puffer draws with a shaky delicate hand images taken from her family photo album. The ephemeral quality of this work gives the characters a ghostly presence that plays on our sense of memory and touches a deep nostalgia. Lessik has created a collection of 4 x 6 studies of average objects on paper. Esther Claypool Gallery, 617 Western Ave, 264-1586. Through July 31.

JOHN REGISTER--The first comprehensive retrospective of Register's realistic paintings and works on paper. His work has often been compared with those of Edward Hopper in that they depict slices from everyday life in a highly dramatic way. The Frye Museum, 704 Terry Ave, 622-9250. Through Aug 29.

PEET SASAKI/GARY ANDOLINA/GABRIELLE KUNSTER--It's a glass month. This exhibit features three artists working with the medium in very different ways. Sasaki sprays glass foils outwardly from a steel armature, Andolina creates stiff sculptures incorporating steel and cast glass, and Kustner's fused glass pieces take the form of low, shallow bowls. William Traver Gallery, 110 Union St, 587-6501. Through Aug 1.

MATT SELLARS--Over the Counter is a body of woodcarvings stemming from everyday objects, often combined with written word and found objects to make a more complete narrative. The Pound Gallery, 1216 10th Ave. Through July 31.

SUMMER SALON--Including works by Guy Anderson, Kenneth Callahan, Morris Graves, Mark Tobey, and others. Kurt Litke Gallery, 318 Second Ave S, 623-5082. Through Aug 14.

TRIMPIN--Conloninpurple is a remarkable sound installation by internationally renowned Northwest t echno-guru Trimpin. The five octave, room-sized instrument produces natural sounds played by gallery visitors or by pre-composed musical sequences. Suyama Space, 2324 Second Ave, 256-0809. Through Aug 7.

GERARD TSUTAKAWA--New sculpture in fabricated bronze. Foster/White Gallery, 123 S Jackson, 622-2833. Through Aug 1.

KAREN YURKOVICH--A Vancouver B.C. artist exhibits, in her first solo Seattle show, a series of paintings entitled Natives and Immigrants that depict plants, trees, and fruit which are either indigenous or imported to North America. Linda Hodges Gallery, 410 Occidental Ave S, 624-3034. Through July 31.

OPPORTUNITIES

The 1999 Betty Bowen Award, administered by the Seattle Art Museum, is open to emerging artists in all media, except film and video, who live in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Send six fully labeled slides, a current resume, and a SASE to Betty Bowen Committee, Modern Art Department, Seattle Art Museum, P.O. Box 22000, Seattle WA 98122. Must be postmarked by July 30. Call 654-3131 for more information.

The King County Art Gallery is taking submissions for their year 2000 exhibition schedule. The gallery is at the offices of the King County Arts Commission and has had a great history of presenting solo shows by primarily unrepresented artists. Deadline is Aug 13. Call 206-296-7580 and leave your name and address for information.

Madrona Automatic is looking for artists to participate in their Sept 1999 "Drive Thru Show." The work must pertain to the concept of drive-throughs and automation within American culture. All mediums. Send slides to Madrona Automatic, 1435 34th Ave, Seattle WA 98122.

Photographic Center Northwest hosts its fifth Annual Photographic Competition. Works for A Vision Honored will be chosen by Linda Conor. The exhibition will be held Oct 1 to 31. Deadline for submission is July 17. For a prospectus send a 6" x 9" SASE to Photographic Center Northwest, 900 12th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122.

SOIL Artist Co-op seeks members--Send 10 to 15 slides, letter of intent, resume, artist statement, SASE, and $5 processing fee to SOIL, P.O. Box 20214, Seattle WA 98102.

Art Detour Seattle--A city-wide open studio event providing viewers with a map and directory of participating artists. The event is scheduled for Sept 17-19. To register send a SASE to Jaq Chartier, 737 N 90th St, Seattle WA 98103.