March 17 the much-heralded exhibition HIDE/SEEK: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture opens at Tacoma Art Museum. The exhibit, which spotlights gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender identity, will run through June 10 at TAM and hopefully inspire plenty of thoughtful dialogue within our community (look for a cover story by Alec Clayton on HIDE/SEEK in next week's Volcano). In fact, HIDE/SEEK is already inspiring dialogue in our community, like Thursday's event at the University of Puget Sound titled "Hide, But Not Seek: Censorship in Art and in the Queer Community."

According to hype, "Hide, But No Seek" will feature Susan Owen, professor of Communication Studies, Zaixin Hong, professor of Art, and Jeff Solomon, visiting assistant professor of English, discussing "censorship in relation to the upcoming Tacoma Art Museum exhibition HIDE/SEEK: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture. We envision this will be a good way to start what will no doubt be a very lengthy and worthwhile conversation."

[University of Puget Sound - Trimble Forum, 5 p.m., 1500 North Warner Street, Tacoma, 253.879.3100]