Pacific Lutheran University and the school's School of Arts and Communication kick off the fledgling SOAC Focus Series Wednesday with an exhibition of printmaking from around the country. Designed as an annual event, this year's first-ever SOAC Focus Series will center on a theme of compassion. According to hype, the series will have a goal of bringing together "talented students and faculty each year," with "a common theme will be selected and discussed through a multi-disciplinary approach. ...  Each year, the theme selected will be relevant, timely and appropriate to the mission of SOAC and PLU."

Wednesday sees the opening of the National Print Exhibition: The Human Experience, a collection of juried printmaking entries from around the country that are apparently, "as varied as the human experience," and feature, "many touchstones that speak to us in different ways and tie one individual to another through the love of art and a broader understanding of each other."

Later there will be a kegger. (Just kidding.)

[Pacific Lutheran University - University Gallery, National Print Exhibition: The Human Experience Feb. 8-March 7, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday, opening reception Feb. 8 5 p.m., free, 12180 Park Ave. S. Tacoma, website]

LINK: SOAC Focus Series schedule