This November will mark the seventh anniversary of “Art at Work: Tacoma Arts Month” — a community celebration of the arts that includes hundreds of community-hosted arts and culture events, exhibits and workshops. The goal of Art at Work month is to illustrate the collective talent in Tacoma and get the public involved in the arts.
Upcoming free, local art events include:
Opening celebration — All are welcome to attend the free celebration on Oct. 29, from 6 to 9 p.m., at the Tacoma Art Museum, 1701 Pacific Ave. The event will include an awards ceremony, live music by Pearl Django, poetry readings, a hands-on art activity, hors d’oeuvres, a no-host bar and the museum galleries will be open for viewing.
Studio tours — Take a studio tour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 8 and 9. The free, self-guided tour, covering 38 studios throughout Tacoma, features 61 artists and two schools. Attendees can meet the artists at work in their studios, see how art is created, purchase one-of-a-kind items and even create their own masterpiece. Each artist and studio will be giving away a limited number of collectible artist cards, which, when assembled together, create a house of cards. Each card features an image of the artists’ work and information about the artist.
Art slam — The third annual art slam will take place on Nov. 21, from 7 to 9 p.m., at the Rialto Theater, 301 S. 9th St. In a fast-paced format, a selection of work by local artists will be projected on the big screen. Local spoken-word artists will also perform as part of the show. Artists working in all mediums and genres will be showcased. A reception will follow this free public event.
Arts symposium — A two-day arts symposium for artists and arts organizations is scheduled for Nov. 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. and on Nov.16 from 11:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. on the University of Puget Sound campus. Sessions topics include information on copyrights, marketing, using the internet for promotion, business entities, art contracts, grant writing, public art, and portfolio submissions. Pre-registration is required, as space is limited. To register, contact Naomi Strom-Avila at (253) 591-5191 or nstrom-avila@cityoftacoma.org .
A free, comprehensive brochure listing of all the events is available. Major distribution points include the Tacoma Art Museum and the Museum of Glass. Schedules are also available online at tacomaculture.org. For more information about these events and Art at Work month, go to tacomaculture.org/arts/ArtatWork.asp or contact Naomi Strom-Avila at nstrom-avila@cityoftacoma.org or (253) 591-5191.
