"The Stampede" by Michael Barnes at NKU's art gallery

Now that most of the snow has melted, we expect to hear your stampeding feet hastening to the local galleries. Allow us to give you directions. ... We couldn't get enough of the prints at the WESTON ART GALLERY (650 Walnut St., Downtown), so we suggest a return trip to see The Method and the Matrix: Contemporary Printmaking in Ohio. The exhibit features a range of traditionally commercial printmaking techniques, used here solely for artistic purposes. Among the 15 skilled artists in this show, RONALD ABRAM, LIZ MAUGANS, HOLLY MORRISON and CAROLYN FRASER deliver an intriguing assortment of approaches and influences in their work. In Abram's prints, images of old toys and familiar family objects overlay pages of favorite comics. His childhood memories, evocatively displayed, are engrossing in a warm, nostalgic manner. Maugans creates collographs by affixing personal objects to plates, applying ink and then printing. Her pieces act like layered sculptures as she adds drawing and collage elements, eliciting a decidedly sensual reaction: We wanted to run our fingers over each piece. Morrison and Fraser combined skills to create an artist's book using handset and printed letterpress with photogravure images. The exquisitely combined words and images provide technically superior yet softly serene pieces. And that's only the tip of the artistic iceberg. Through March 27. ...

Opening March 5 at SCRIBBLES CAFÉ (616 Mainstrasse, Covington) is the work of photographer BRIAN HARMON. His photographs are primarily black and white, focusing on portraiture, still life and landscape. Sources say Harmon has a unique technique, allowing him to achieve the distinctive look of multiple exposures. We think his skewed impression of the world should be worth checking out. The opening reception begins at 8 p.m. Through March. ...

Currently on view at NORTHERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY's third floor gallery (Nunn Drive, Highland Heights) is Recent Prints by MICHAEL BARNES. This show is absolutely awe-inspiring. He carefully constructs his work using a variety of printmaking techniques. Each method results in a look that embodies the qualities of both traditional printmaking and photography. Barnes' imagery comes from a dark, yet seemingly familiar place, resembling a world that's a hybrid of reality and masochistic night terrors. The figures are physically bound to one spot, some are held down by weights, while others are masked and covered. "My imagery is generated from the subconscious and eventually develops into more specific narratives often reflecting a struggle between figures and their environment," Barnes says. We left with more questions than when we arrived with at the exhibition, which is definitely worth contemplating. Though March 5. ...

Don't blink, you might miss it. Literally. Look closely Friday when THE ART ACADEMY OF CINCINNATI (951 Eden Park Drive., Eden Park) holds Think Small: The 17th Annual Minumental Competition, where all artwork entered must be no larger than 2 inches in any dimension. The competition is open to all Academy students, faculty, staff and alumni, as well as to Art Museum staff. Matt Distel, curator at the Contemporary Arts Center, juries the show. Make sure to "see small." Opening reception Friday, 5-7 p.m. Through March 18.

Mini Reviews
DESIGNSMITH GALLERY (1342 Main St., Over-the-Rhine) presents its first video installation, Possible Werks, by experimental video artist CRAIG CAUDILL. His two-hour piece features a rapidly changing series of unfocused images set to music by Russian composer Artemiy Artemiev. Less than impressive, neither the images nor the audio engage the viewer. Through March 20. (JULIE BERNZOTT) Grade: C

WARSAW PROJECT SPACE's (3116 Warsaw Ave., Price Hill) current exhibition, Reconstruction by artist RHONDA GUSHEE, is a unique blend of printmaking techniques, bizarre quilts and sculpture made from found objects. Gushee's compositions are detailed, calculated and meticulous. Many of her prints deliver an undeniable level of grace. Unfortunately, many of the sculptures lack clarity. Nevertheless, Reconstruction has explorative qualities that make Gushee's work worthy of a trip. Through March 6. (JACQUELYN VAUGHN) Grade: B-