* Roberta Smith
Continuing Portland's growing tradition of importing first-class art critics for lectures, PAM is bringing in Roberta Smith from The New York Times for a Sunday afternoon talk. While Smith is considered the grand dame of American art criticism, working for the Times and all, she has some big shoes to fill--those left by her husband Jerry Saltz, who delivered a knockout talk about being an engaged critic last January. Portland Art Museum, 1219 SW Park Ave, 226-2811, Sun 2 pm, $13-15
* Chris Gander and Henk Pander
Two great local artists are showing at Laura Russo this month--expert draftsman and image-maker Henk Pander, and the deceptively sly and inconspicuous Chris Gander. Laura Russo Gallery, 805 NW 21st Ave, 226-2754, June 3-26
* Clown Show
It's been a tough month for clowns. A few weeks ago, after circus performer Dessi Espana fell to her death in Minnesota, clowns were immediately dispatched to run around and distract the audience from the horrific spectacle. Then just a few days later, Ringling Brother's Spanky the Clown (go figure) was busted on kiddy porn charges. Ever topical, Froelick Gallery investigates with a juried group show about the pathological buffoons. Froelick Gallery, 817 SW 2nd Ave, 222-1142, Through June 23
* Giant, Neon, and Apex
These three San Francisco graffiti heavyweights descend on Portland for their Burning America exhibition, with DJ Wicked and DJ Wheels providing the music for the reception. New American Casuals, 326 SE Morrison, 294-0445, Sunday 7 pm
Intermedia Art Exhibition
U of O students Nathan Samuel Hazard and Kseny Samarskaya have created a unique window installation for Retread Threads that draws upon "post modern 3DJ2 philosophy, historical devices of the window dresser, Victorian excess and shadow theater." Retread Threads, 931 SW Oak, 916-0000, Through June 13
Kiss Slut
The ever-prolific Nic Walker debuts a new collection of paintings on wood that evoke a heavy metal slant on the scribbly expressionism of Cy Twombly. Pause Gallery, 625 NW Everett St. 110, 503-888-7895, Through June 27
* The LaLa Zone Expedition
Bruce Conkle, Portland's official bigfoot artist, makes his Haze Gallery debut with The LaLa Zone Expedition. A luscious investigation into landscape fantasy, Conkle's prints highlight video game terrain while extracting all other points of focus. Haze Gallery, 6635 N. Baltimore Ste. 211, 503-283-6863, June 5 - 26
