April is Earth Month, and a team of astronauts is kicking things off by not so much embracing our planet as rocketing away from it at unfathomable speeds. NASA’s Artemis II mission — the first crewed deep-space flight since 1972 — completed a successful launch yesterday as millions of earthlings watched the live feed on YouTube, posting well wishes and flag emojis from all over the globe.
One of the brave crew’s first tasks was decidedly human: fixing a toilet issue. It was a humbling reminder that even as we probe ever-deeper into space, we can’t escape our essential nature.
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So for Earth Month, let’s segue into another ages-old earthling endeavor — depicting the fellow animals with whom we share this Big Blue Marble.
We’ll start with J. Rinehart Gallery in Pioneer Square, where two Seattle artists are sharing distinct visions of animalia. In The Good Death (through April 29) recent Neddy Award finalist Lauren Boilini presents vivid scenes of animals swarming en masse. Vultures, moths and flamingos flock together by species, emanating a chaotic energy suggesting a feeding frenzy or fight.
Some of these realistically painted creatures appear in circular paintings, as if through a microscope or binoculars. But the humans doing the looking may see themselves reflected — Boilini says her work examines crowds, gluttony, stampedes and “how violence in the animal kingdom mirrors our own.”
In the same gallery, Northwest sculptor Eva Funderburgh presents a counterpoint and possible path forward in Herd (through April 29). Similar to Boilini, Funderburgh says she uses “emotive animal forms to examine human motives and emotions.” But in this case, the earthy, woodfired stoneware and porcelain creatures appear fortified by pairs and groupings. As these undefined animals — toothy and charming — press close together and carry others on their backs, the work suggests strength in connection. (Joint artist talk April 18 at 1 p.m.)
At its maximum distance, the Artemis II crew will be 252,800 miles away from Earth. But if you’re in Pioneer Square — say, for First Thursday Art Walk tonight — you’re within orbit of several more animal planets.
The group show Heated Metal and Glass (at Stonington Gallery April 2 - May 2) features a menagerie of creatures, including bronze owls by Hib Sabin, blown glass bears by Dan Friday and sculpted sea life by Raven Skyriver.
And at nearby Foster/White Gallery, Everything Everywhere All at Once (through April 25) serves as an unintentional array of animal treasures. In an exuberant celebration of its 60 years in business, the gallery has emptied its closets and hung the walls with a massive, floor-to-ceiling installation of work by all its represented artists, spanning genres and mediums. (Truly a feast for the eyes.) If you’re up for an artful scavenger hunt, search out several ceramic dogs by George Rodriguez, bronze and etched birds by Tony Angell, a couple briny whales by Sarah McRae Morton and red rabbits and snakes by Kwonny.
Downtown at Seattle Art Museum, A Room for Animal Intelligence (through Jan. 31, 2027) celebrates animal art across the ages. Including but not limited to: beautifully beaded bear and moose heads by Seattle artist Sherry Markovitz; a very smiley terracotta horse from 24-200 CE China; a flock of birds by Bellingham-born 20th century artist Philip McCracken; carved wood elephants mid-embrace from 18th-19th century Japan; a contemporary Coast Salish mosquito mask by Francis Horne Sr. (Khut Whee Mul Uhk); a ceramic dog on wheels from 300-600 CE Mexico; a 1970s era “Geometric Mouse” by Claes Oldenburg; and Marie Watt’s “Companion Species” (2018), an enormous she-wolf carved from aromatic cedar.
Across town, at Traver Gallery’s new location in West Canal Yards, celebrated Tlingit artist Preston Singletary is showing The Clockwork Raven (April 4-25; opening party April 4, 3-5 p.m.; artist talk April 16 at 7:30 p.m.). In this collection of new blown and sand-carved glass sculptures, Raven is accompanied by a beaver, wolf, porcupine, whale and one soggy log. The story behind the works is a clever collaboration between Singletary and Seattle novelist Garth Stein, the two of whom seek to explore, “How does Raven deal with our current time?”
And slightly farther flung (think of the astronauts!) head to Northwind Gallery in Port Townsend, where local artist Peter Koronakos is showing a collection of his playful “animal assemblages” constructed from household goods and found items (through May 4).
We’ll end with a few earthbound ways humans reach out into space… through music, theater and books.
Big, bold musicals in and around town
< Ain’t Misbehavin’, the Tony Award-winning ode to the music of Fats Waller, lights up the stage with powerful voices at Taproot Theatre (through April 25).
< Les Misérables — another Tony winner — brings 19th century France to The Paramount by way of the touring Broadway production (April 7 - 19).
< And at Village Theatre in Issaquah, Grease is the word (through May 3).
Books and readings by local authors
Seattle writer Lindy West (Shrill) has a new memoir, Adult Braces, that’s dusting up a lot of internet hubbub. Hear her talk about it in real life at Town Hall Seattle (April 3 at 7:30 p.m.; $10-$35).
Northwest nature writers Maria Dolan and Kathryn True celebrate the release of Seattle Field Guide: Explore Nature in the City, featuring 38 urban adventures, at Third Place Books Seward Park (April 7 at 7 p.m.; free registration suggested).
And longtime local historian and writer Frank Abe visits the Central Library downtown to discuss his anthology The Literature of Japanese American Incarceration. The event is part of the One Book, One Coast shared reading initiative — which this year is centered on the graphic memoir They Called Us Enemy, by George Takei, aka beloved Star Trek space traveler Mr. Sulu (April 8 at 7 p.m.; free registration required).
Check out Season 2 of our tv show Art by Northwest, featuring in-depth interviews with the printmakers, painters, sculptors, carvers and photographers creating captivating work across Washington state.
