Mitch Epstein, who with Susan Bell is responsible for the new "What Is American Power?" posters appearing on billboards and transportation advertising in Cincinnati and Columbus, comes to Cincinnati Art Museum's Fath Auditorium April 21 to discuss his project. The images "illuminate the toll that energy production and consumption take on our economy, health, security, quality of life, natural resources and climate."  

'Short Straw,' up through April 30 at the Center on Clifton Avenue, is about the frustrations of the recession for artists. It is touching to see how much heart, soul and intelligence — and talent — the artists have put into this task. It’s also a reminder how hard the last few years have been on up-and-coming artists.  

Failed romantic relationships are the subject of 'Breakups R Tough,' the new group exhibition at the collectively run U.turn Art Space through April 24. The show is the result of some cutting-edge intellectual inquiry (and creative response) to the nature of relationships.  

Alejandro Escovedo is still growing as he finds his groove as an Austin-based Roots musician capable of explosively rockin’ out one minute and writing a doleful, tuneful string-accompanied romantic ballad the next. He plays the Southgate House with his four-piece The Sensitive Boys.  

CS13, the creative alternative gallery continues its forays into cutting-edge experimental music presentations with a show by Brooklyn Art-Pop-Chamber-Prog experimentalists Extra Life. Music begins at 8 p.m. Opening acts are Black Dove, Locusta and I Fail.  

A current show of Martin Puryear's prints at Cincinnati Art Museum, on display now through June 13, offers insight into Puryear's motivations and process. It features 23 prints plus a book for which he did woodcut illustrations.  

Manifest Gallery's juried shows seem to be broadening in reach. The gallery’s new PAINT exhibit features 21 works by 17 artists from 12 states as well as Belgium, Hong Kong and Thailand. Also on view is Selections from the International Drawing Annual. The exhibit features a sampling of artworks to be included in the forthcoming International Drawing Annual 5 exhibit-in-print. Through April 2.  

Out of Order combines the Minimalist-inspired paintings and small objects of local artist David Jarred with the more classically "outsider" work of Kevin White. Through April 16.  

Black History Month is the perfect time to learn about two African American Cincinnati natives, Frank Foster and George Russell, who are among the most important influences on the critically important contemporary, progressive stream of American Jazz. On Saturday at 1 p.m. in the Reading Garden of the downtown main library, Reference Librarian Dan Aren will talk about the careers of those two important musicians.  

This Friday at 7 p.m., CS13 in Over-the-Rhine will combine impassioned art discussion with running in its first Critical Run event. Participants will argue about art's relationship to economic capital based on material in the publication Art Work from Chicago collective Temporary Services.