Moody poetry in prints by Jay Heikes at Highpoint Center

Opens Friday: Ever-experimental, Minneapolis-based Jay Heikes messed around with asphaltum while working recently at Highpoint Center for Printmaking. Normally used to prevent scratches on etching plates, the tarry stuff is smelly, corrosive and nasty. But Heikes' experiments resulted in nine dark and velvety monoprints. Composed in a somewhat arbitrary manner, the prints derive their moody poetry from the chance encounters of splashes, spots and other abstract gestures. Besides the monoprints, this Highpoint show features drawings, lithographs and other inventions by Heikes, whose work has been shown at Walker Art Center, the Whitney Museum and the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston. (Opening reception 6:30-9 p.m. Fri. Free. Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri., noon-4 p.m. Sat. through Nov. 21. 912 W. Lake St., Mpls. 612-871-1326 or highpointprintmaking.org)