Dennis Dread
In honor of National Day of Slayer, check out The Ballpoint Art of Dennis Dread on 6/6/06. Wicked! Dread makes super-detailed metalhead drawings on paper. Think of that kid who drew crazy, Satanic drawings back in 8th grade. Now imagine if he grew into an adult, getting better and better at making those same drawings along the way. Now you've got Dennis Dread. Optic Nerve Arts, 1829 NE Alberta St. #11, opens Tues, 7 pm-midnight. Through June 30

Bestiary
Froelick Gallery rolls out its annual, reliably fun juried show about the animal kingdom. Among the represented are Marne Lucas, Pat Boas, Heidi Kirkpatrick, and Terrell James. Froelick Gallery, 817 SW 2nd Ave, 222-1142, through June 28

Black Market Culture
Online publication Black Market Culture drops this exhibition of 100 works by 21 artists, more than half of whom are from our fair city. From the looks of it, the show is comprised of standard lowbrow-ish, semi-political narrative pieces, but don't take my word for it. Go see the show, or hit blackmarketculture.com for a preview. Goodfoot, 2845 SE Stark, 740-1340, through June 27

New Trajectories II: Expansions
This second exhibition of work from the Ovitz collection in New York showcases the work of two of photography's most influential contemporary practitioners: Gregory Crewdson and Candida Hofer. Crewdson creates hugely intricate, cinematic living tableaux, which he photographs with an attention to detail unmatched in the history of art photography; Hofer has carried the deadpan German documentary style to its logical apex—blank, expressionless photographs of information repositories. Cooley Gallery at Reed College, 3203 SE Woodstock, 777-7790, through June 11

Now
It's the official opening of the long-ballyhooed Portland Art Center! All kind of stuff is going down for this First Thursday bash, including music from the Vagabond Opera and DJ Stylish, catering, and a cash bar. Plus, there's a installation by Barry Johnson, an exhibition that samples various Portland galleries, a video and sound installation, and more. Portland Art Center, 32 NW 5th, 239-5481, opens Thurs, 9:30 pm-midnight; closes June 25; opening reception $5 (free to members)