The Tacoma community will get an influx of artistic experiences on Third Thursday in September as Tacoma’s theater district will take part in the city’s art walk events with over 20 locations focused in the historic area. Organized by Spaceworks Tacoma, the September 21st Theater District Art Walk event will contribute to the larger picture of Tacoma’s Art Walk by highlighting the public and performance spaces within the footprint of the theater district.
Each visitor can craft a personal route to view art they are interested in, but those who like community experience are invited to join Downtown: On The Go! for an organized walking tour that begins at 5:15 pm in Theater Square and visits several locations along the way. The tour will conclude at 6:15 pm at the opening reception for GTCF’s Foundation of Art Award, located at the Spaceworks Gallery. There is no pre-registration required.
The Theater District Art Walk will highlight various possibilities for space use as well as feature performers and visual artists. Theater Square will be transformed into a skate park hosted by Alchemy Skateboarding while a Symphony Tacoma quintet will provide musical accompaniment from 5 to 7:30 pm. A new mural sponsored by the Tacoma BIA will premiere at the skybridge connecting Theater Square to Park Plaza North parking garage, featuring art by Kristen Ramirez. At the same time, Frost Park on the corner of 9th and Pacific Ave will light up with fire performances by Perry Petaccia and music by Josiah French, as well as chalk art by local artists. Make sure to check out Just Digg’N, the sounds by Justin Tamminga and DJ DigOne who will accompany dance battles. Bring your best b-boy and b-girl game to this open session located in the pocket park on Commerce tucked between buildings next to 11th.
Visit nearby businesses like The Art Stop at LeRoy Jewelers which offers an exhibition of intricate basket weaving artistry. Minka showroom will highlight watercolor art by Chandler Woodfin and fashion designs by Sheila Klein in addition to their locally crafted home furnishings.
The Productivity Parlour for Artful Living, co-located with Revisioned – an urban boutique, will exhibit the history of sewing machines, with about 20 on view. They will also showcase a range of clothing, accessories, and costumes crafted by the Productivity Parlour.
Explore the newest Spaceworks Artscapes in the Woolworth Windows created by artist Pete Goldlust, community organization Shared Housing Services, robotics and space company Liftport, an installation by artist and educator Angela Larsen with Seabury Middle School students, and a collection of giant steamroller prints from Wayzgoose 2017 that reflect on lucky and unlucky moments in Tacoma’s history. This and many more arts features will delight visitors. A map of the features will be available at all locations as well as on the district’s website TacomaTheaterDistrict.com.
Spaceworks Tacoma was able to coordinate an arts event on this scale thanks to an Our Town grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, which is being used to develop a culture and transportation plan for the theater district. The plan, dubbed Transform, is spearheaded by a partnership between Pierce Transit, The Broadway Center for the Performing arts, and The City of Tacoma.
The bulk of events for the Theater District Art Walk is planned in the area surrounding Theater Square, a public space commonly used for outdoor festivals like Brew Five Three, Broadway Farmer’s Market, First Night and in the past the Tacoma Rainbow Center’s Out in The Park. The planning partners are seeking public input on the development of this area including comments about what’s working and what needs to improve to encourage better functionality for events and daily activity. The feedback gathered will inform a plan for developing a vibrant, visually appealing destination for cultural, artistic, civic, and local marketplace activities, a destination that is well-served by multiple forms of transportation and convenient transit connections. Transform will guide further design work, public investment, and encourage well-thought-out and appropriately planned private development for at least the next decade. For event information, submitting feedback and staying up-to date on plan development visit tacomatheaterdistrict.com.
Spaceworks makes Tacoma culturally vibrant and economically strong through training and support for artists and creative entrepreneurs. For more information about Spaceworks visit: www.SpaceworksTacoma.com
– Spaceworks Tacoma
