Anderson melds natural illustration with stylized line and pattern in his watercolors, ink drawings, prints, and other works. On display through February 5. Bell Museum of Natural History, 10 Church St. SE, Mpls. 612/624-7083, http://bellmuseum.org

Experience the versitality of handmade paper in this exhibition of works by artists from around the country. Installations, sculpture, pulp painting and assemblage show the amazing variety of art forms possible with this medium. Through February 25 at the Minnesota Center for Book Arts, in the Open Book building, 1011 Washington Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612/215-2520; www.mnbookarts.org

Through March 10. Fresh Paint 2 is the sequel to last year's wildly successful Fresh Paint. This year's show features works by Donovan Durham, who, after a stint in printmaking, has thrown himself back into painting full swing, along with several other Interact artists. Interact Center for the Visual and Performing Arts serves artists who have been labeled as having physical or developmental disabilities and/or mental illness. Inside Out Gallery, 212 Third Ave. N., Ste. 140, MInneapolis; www.interactcenter.com, 612/339-5145

Cities is a multi-media exhibition in which several well-known Twin Cities artists present their images of cities; through Feb. 16. Free; open Tue., Wed., Fri., Sat., 10-4, Thu. 10-8, closed Sun.-Mon. Katherine E. Nash Gallery, 405 21st Ave. S., Minneapolis, 612/624-6518, http://nash.umn.edu

Local author and University of Minnesota professor Vernon Ruttan examines what effects military and defense-related procurement have had on the development of new technology in many American industries, and what that means for the future growth of the economy in the United States. This book asserts that the development of general purpose technologies such as mass production, computers, commercial aircraft and the Internet would have occurred more slowly or not at all without military spending. U of M Bookstore, Coffman Memorial Union, 300 Washington Ave. SE, Minneapolis. www.bookstore.umn.edu/genref/authors.html

Join award-winning local filmmaker Amanda Taylor for a screening of her latest film, a short documentary called Freak of Nature, which explores scientific and cultural issues surrounding the research of homosexual behavior in animals. Following the film, a panel of scientists and cultural theorists from the University of Minnesota, Hamline University, and the College of St. Catherine will discuss recent news reports, scientific findings, and cultural theories related to the study of sexual behavior in animals—from talk of discovering a “gay gene” to the political implications of scientific research. $2 suggested donation. Bell Museum Auditorium, 17th & University Ave. SE, Minneapolis; 612/624-7083; www.bellmuseum.org

Zaraawar Mistry's play Indian Cowboy chronicles the often humorous misadventures of a young man in India and America. Performed by candlelight. $11–$28; performances Weds.-Sat., 7:30 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m., through Feb. 12 . Mixed Blood Theatre, 1501 S. Fourth St., Mpls.; 612/338-6131; www.mixedblood.com