A Personal Public
See preview this issue. Cooley Gallery at Reed College, 3203 SE Woodstock, 777-7790, Opens Fri, runs through Nov 8

Art is a Drag
Christa Holka presents extremely crisp, colorful photos of women dressed like men, men dressed like women, and a few that land somewhere in the middle. Newspace, 1632 SE 10th, 963-1935, through August

* Intrepid Snake Vs. Poison Sauce
If you can withstand the noxious fumes that plague Holocene's disgusting smoking room, you will see a wonderful thing this month: a fantastical battle scene created by the artists' collective Goldkit and featuring a gigantic two-headed cobra, katana blades, and pools of poison. Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison, Through Sept 1

* Outside, Looking In
An exhibit by Beth Cavener Stichter, whose large sculptures are carved down from 1000-pound pieces of clay. The process Stichter endures to achieve this feat sounds grueling, a combination of beating, hacking, and pounding. But the results are eerily impressive; wiry, ghostly animal figures with hollow eyes that are somewhat terrifying to gaze into. Contemporary Crafts Gallery, 3934 SW Corbett Ave, 223-2654, through Sept 26

* Jon Langford
Langford, known best for his work with the Mekons, is also an artist who paints lovely ashcan portraits of country characters, both real and fictitious. Johnny Cash and Elvis are both represented. Augen Gallery, 817 SW 2nd Ave, 224-8182, through Aug 25

* Ken Morgan
Connecticut-based artist Ken Morgan makes diagrammatic drawings of desolate landscapes, gymnasiums, and pinball machines. He's just one of 20 artists represented in Paperwork, Savage's current show showcasing mixed-media drawing techniques. Savage Gallery, 1430 SE Third Ave, 230-0265, Through Aug 27

* Mark Mothersbaugh's Beautiful Mutants
You like art by celebrities? I know you do. Even if you don't, you probably like Mark Mothersbaugh, formerly of Devo, and mastermind composer behind Wes Anderson's films. His photographic prints, which are actually quite cool-looking, use basic symmetry and mirroring effects to turn 19th-Century portraits into freaky surreal scenes. Basil Hallward Gallery at Powell's City of Books, 1005 W Burnside St, 228-4651, through Aug 31