Stylite Optimism
Portland/New York artist Jessica Jackson Hutchins follows up her intriguing October show from small A projects with Stylite Optimism, a small show of ceramic sculptures inspired by "traditional Chinese scholars' rocks, aesetic religious practices, and domestic rituals." Case Works, Hauser Library, Reed College, 3203 SE Woodstock, through Feb 17

Tomorrow Will Be Better
In Dave McKenzie's last show at small A projects, the artist showed a video of himself walking the streets of Harlem in a Bill Clinton mask and showed a cast sculpture of himself as a bobblehead. Tomorrow Will Be Better highlights more of the artist's recent work, with two videos and several sculptures from the past seven years. Also, McKenzie will give a talk about his art at PSU's Fifth Avenue Cinema, SW 5th and Hall, on Monday January 8, at 8:15 pm. Totally free. small A projects, 1430 SE 3rd, 234-7993, opens Fri Jan 5, 5-8 pm; continues through Feb 10

Storm Tharp
Tharp, one of Portland's best artists (no matter how you slice it or what criteria you apply) kicks off the new year with We Appeal to Heaven, an exhibition of new ink and gouache drawings that present liquidy figures who appear to have either sprung from our own nightmares or are suffering through their own visions of darkness. They bleed in washed ink and snap into focus in the most unexpected spots, all the while, as the drawing states, "appealing to heaven." Highly recommended. PDX, 925 NW Flanders, 222-0063, opening reception Thurs Jan 4, 6-8 pm; continues through Jan 27

Salton Sea
Stephen Tamiese, who was inspired by the "simple and fatigued landscapes" of photographers such as Lewis Baltz and Robert Adams, stumbled into a great subject for his series Salton Sea. Once a vibrant vacation spot in Southern California, the sea has been virtually abandoned and left in disarray, yet a few continue to call it home. Pushdot Studio, 830 NW 14th, 224-5925, through Jan 27

The Art of Musical Maintenance 3
It's time again for Goodfoot's annual exhibition of cutting edge music posters from around the country, The Art of Musical Maintenance. This year's show includes over 250 posters from 40 artists, and if it's anything like its prior incarnations, it'll be pretty damn cool. Goodfoot, 2845 SE Stark, 740-1340, through Jan 23