The public will get its first chance to experience Tacoma Art Museum’s new building at this year’s Paintbrush Ball, set for this Friday, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Guests are invited to spend time in all of the public areas of the 50,000-square-foot building and explore the galleries even before any art is on the walls.
The building is located at 1701 Pacific Ave., next to historic Union Station and across from the University of Washington Tacoma.
In addition to building tours, the Paintbrush Ball will feature an evening of art inspired activities: an artist demonstration, a painting created by a backhoe, an artful silent auction that includes unique experiences and art from renowned artists.
The evening also includes a buffet with food prepared by local restaurants and delicatessens, live music, and the chance to add memories to a time capsule.
The evening commences as soon as guests step from their cars and enter the Allen Foundation for the Arts Plaza with a backhoe painting demonstration by artist Gary Owen.
As guests move inside the building they will find music, cocktails at the Absolut-sponsored martini bar and an art inspired auction.
Silent auction items include: five panels from the construction fence around the site, Five Construction Fence Art Panels created at the first Paintbrush Ball; The Twelfth Street Pedestrian Bridge, City of Tacoma, an etching by Alexander Brodsky and Ilya Utkin; work from some artists who will each be featured in TAM’s Grand Opening exhibitions including Morris Graves, Mark Tobey, Guy Anderson, Kenneth Callahan, and Dale Chihuly; as well as the pieces created that evening.
Other items include studio and gallery tours, art and cooking classes, travel opportunities and unique experiences.
Throughout the evening guests can travel through the galleries and education wing for food and music, take a look at architectural renderings, watch a painting by Gene Sorenson take shape throughout the evening, and add their thoughts and memories to the Tacoma Art Museum Time Capsule that will be buried during the Community Open House on Sunday.
Tickets are $75 each and may be purchased by calling 253/272-4258.
The Community Open House, from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. on Sept. 8, is a free event for the entire family, and will include guided building tours, building-inspired art making on the plaza, live music, and a dedication ceremony.
Both events begin a series of celebrations that will culminate when the new building opens on May 3, 2003.