Akron Art Museum: Stranger in Paradise. The late Rev. Howard Finster is one of America's most recognizable outsider artists, even creating album covers for R.E.M. and Talking Heads. Like a William Blake of the pop-art era, his oeuvre juxtaposes religiously laden illustrations arising from his vivid visionary experiences with more worldly subjects. Through June 3 at One South High St. Call 330-376-9185 or go to akronartmusuem.org.
Branches Art Space:Open House Fund-Raiser. Branches opens its new display space for a family art festival featuring free workshops and live music as part of their annual fund-raiser. The event runs from 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 12, at 18322 Lakeshore Blvd. For more information, call 239-293-9548 or visit Branches Art Space on Facebook.
Cleveland Institute of Art: Art of Scale & Form. Recently retired CIA sculpture professor Barbara Stanczak displays a selection of her work from the last two decades, revisiting creations that complicated or made paradoxes of the relationship between visual and tactile experience. Meanwhile, Rhode Islander David Cole presents a two-ton music box rebuilt from the parts of an industrial compactor. Through May 19 at 11141 East Blvd. Call 216-421-7407 or go to cia.edu/reinberger_galleries/.
Cleveland Museum of Art: Rembrandt in America. The largest collection of the painter's work exhibited in America in 100 years presents a comprehensive history of Rembrandt's reception and interpretation in the States, and illuminates how collectors' desire to own a Rembrandt fueled research into his work. Through May 28 at 11150 East Blvd. Tickets are $7 to $14. Call 216-421-7350 or go to clevelandart.org.
Galeria Quetzal: Cambodian Silk and Mexican and Peruvian Ceramics. Little Italy's boutique showcases scarves, neckties, purses, and hangings from Cambodia's Khmer Designs, and fine art vessels from Latin America. The exhibition runs through May 30 at 12400 Mayfield Rd. For more information, call 216-421-8223 or go to galeriaquetzal.com.
Gray's Auctioneers: Crawling From the Wreckage. Rock photographers Janet Macoska and Mo Gray present a 40-year retrospective that's entirely for sale at 50 bucks a pop. Each photo is a vintage hand-printed 11x14-inch silver gelatin print. The fun includes a DJ, drinks, food — and a much-needed vacation for the two photographers if they move enough of their work. It all happens from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 11, at 10717 Detroit Ave. Learn more at Macoska's Facebook page.
Kenneth Paul Lesko Gallery: Infinite Unbound. Lissa Bockrath's scenes depict the meeting of earth, sky, and fire in panoramas of slow-motion violence, provoked by ecological love. An opening reception will be held Friday, May 11, from 6 to 9 p.m. Through July 14 at 1305 West 78th St.; call 216-631-6719 or go to kennethpaullesko.com.
Legation, a Gallery: The Missing Piece exhibition closing and gallery talk. Artist Dott Schneider planted oversized square puzzle pieces across Ohio and created maps leading hunters to each one. From 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 16, Schneider discusses the meaning behind her mission and offers the maps for sale. The show closes on Friday, May 18, at 1300 West 78th St.; call 216-650-4201 or visit legationagallery.com.
Log Cabin Gallery: Feelin' Groovy Spring Exhibit. More than 20 artists working in media ranging from painting, glass, jewelry, and mixed media are united to celebrate springtime with a '60s twist. Through June 3 at 1671 Main St., Peninsula; call 330-657-2670 or go to thelogcabingallery.com.
1point618 Gallery: Love Letters. Italy native Antonia Reiner exhibits for the first time in the U.S.A. and her new home of Cleveland, in a series that evokes the aching presence of absence with ethereal materials like painted silk. Through June 3 at 6421 Detroit Rd.; call 216-281-1618 or go to 1point618gallery.com.
Rotten Meat Gallery: Tab "A" Slot "B" — The Works of Rustbelt Welding. You've seen Rustbelt Welding's work around town in their quirky bike racks and bike-based outdoor sculpture; now meet the artisans behind the public art. Through May 25 at 1814 E. 40th St., Suite B4; learn more at [email protected] or 216-469-4896.
William Busta Gallery:Chorus in Which There Are Many People, Some Singing. Don Harvey uses operatic imagery to create a haunting atmosphere of dominance and control. Also: Ghost Stories. Lane Cooper's linear abstractions, like blue, violet, gold, and green static represent the boundaries of knowledge at the border between consciousness and unconsciousness. Both exhibitions run through Saturday, June 16, at 2731 Prospect Ave.; call 216-298-9071 or go to williambustagallery.com.
Bonfoey Gallery
2000 to 2012. Laurence Channing exhibits 12 years' worth of charcoal drawings, rendering a contemporary history of Cleveland's homes and lakeside landscapes. The images embody meticulous photorealism and a haunted otherworldliness. An opening reception will be held Friday, May 11, from 5 to 8 p.m. Through June 9 at 1710 Euclid Ave.; call 216-621-0178 or go to bonfoey.com.
