We Never Knew Exactly Where: Dispatches from the Lost Country of Mali is a book by Peter Chilson, who began an engagement with West Africa in the Peace Corps. He has returned many times, was visiting Mali in the time of the coup, and visited the North during the civil war. Chilson speaks tonight on his observations of Mali today. Details: www.mercycorps.org/events/2013/01/18/28064 RSVP by email requested.
At the Mercy Corps Action Center www.actioncenter.org 28 SW 1st 7PM Free
Amanda Wojick is a Northwest sculptor. Her work uses small units of common materials referencing nature in a contemporary way. Tonight she opens a new work of a large number of hawthorne tree leaves supported by steel rods and painted overall in a variety of colors. At Elizabeth Leach Gallery www.elizabethleach.com 417 NW 9th Map 6PM-9
The Optimist is a new show by Portland painter Adam Sorenson of bright geometrical mystical landscapes. At PDX Contemporary Art www.pdxcontemporaryart.com 925 NW Flanders Map early close 8PM
Tokyo printmaker Ritsuko Ozeki presents Scene A, his response to the tsunami which struck Japan two years ago. At www.froelickgallery.com 714 NW Davis
Stumptown has a show from the collective Crayon Coffin and the Mushroom Necklace. At Stumptown www.stumptowncoffee.com 128 SW 3rd until 7
Photographer Sarah Meadows, who studied at PNCA, presents a show of her new work. She excels at enigmatic landscapes, fashion photography and photos of friends and their events. At the PNCA www.pnca.edu 13th and NW Johnson 6PM-9
Daughter Like a Specter by Nonnow Naruse from Tokyo opens tonight at Hellion. Her illustration-style paintings. The work taps what I read as ennui and disaffection, a charming theme in Japanese art. At Hellion Gallery www.helliongallery.com 19 NW 5th Suite 208. Through the lobby of the arched brick entry, up the stairs and to the back. Very upper floor Japan-style.
Map 7PM-10
Michelle Morin, Sarah Burwash, Kelly Rae Burns, Bill Dunlap, Becca Stadtlander, Nokkasili, Midori Yamada, Micca and Tadashi Ura have a show of watercolor illustrations, Transparent Truth at Compound Gallery www.compoundgallery.com 107 NW 5th 6PM-10
Arthur Tress splits a show between Newspace and Blue Sky this month. Included are surreal settings made long before today's digital collage. At Blue Sky Gallery www.blueskygallery.org map 122 NW 8th 6PM-9
Everett Lofts are recommended as always. It's easier for you to see them all than for me to write suggestions. Some close as early as 9PM. At the Everett Lofts 625 NW Everett. Bounded by NW Everett, Broadway, Flanders and 6th Map
