2024 Tacoma Studio Tour Artists

Kami combines her love of lettering and illustration to create vibrant murals and signage. She derives her inspiration for her art from our beautiful Puget Sound, traveling the world, and a desire to brighten up the lives of those around her.

Miranda Hemlee creates one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry and fiber art sculpture inspired by her surroundings and trade as a gardener.

Katherine’s approach to sculptural forms is evolving. She is exploring ways that natural fibers – pine needles, bark, vine, grasses – clay, and wire can combine to translate form, balance, depth, complexity and simplicity.

Matthew Cheramy is an artist working with mixed media. His art has often been described as a “softer yet dramatic” delivery with emotional overtones.

Miriam’s love of color has led to over 4 decades of creating jewelry, textile arts and collage. Art is what keeps her life balanced.

Craftopia is an arts and craft studio dedicated to expanding access to arts and crafts for people of all ages and experience levels.

Julia W.White paints colorful, dreamy narrative scenes, mostly based on her love of animals, mid-century postcards, ghosts and the Pacific Northwest. She has been a painter for 40 years, and is grateful to still be enthusiastically mining the inspiration that she finds all around her. She works primarily in acrylic and oil, and recently began working in encaustic, which has opened up her unique style in new and exciting ways.

Ivy implements his line art style to make illustrations that often play with concepts of materiality and being with elements of very dry humor. He also produces and often mixes graphic design, photography and hand-drawn works.

He is a figurative artist wanting to show off his life drawings and paintings done over the last twelve or so years focusing on spontaneity, gesture, and form.

Alyssa Ryann is a local Tacoma artist who grew up in Washington state. Alyssa loves using color and movement in fun, bold ways and enjoys finding ways to include both across all mediums.

Mateo is an artist who learned Formline to connect to his culture. Now he wants to encourage other Coast Salish people to create. Mateo is of Cowichan descent and loves creating for others. He wants to showcase your favorite animal and ultimately bring you joy, through his art.

Zhenya Rhoads of Color Cornucopia make crochet toys and functional pottery.

Ixia Tile Tacoma focuses on handmade architectural ceramic installations for public art, private and commercial commissions. The creative process includes carving, sculpting, molding, imprinting, extruding and hand-building from slabs. The studio also produces planters, mugs and other utilitarian pottery. Clays and glazes made in Tacoma are used exclusively.

There’s something special about writing with a beautiful pen. Derek loves the raw beauty and silent simplicity of wooden pens, and enjoys crafting them in his spare time. Despite his children’s wishes to keep every pen he makes, there’s no need to have more than a couple floating around the house. The rest can be enjoyed by others!

Mauricio has been an artist since he can remember. He loves to draw and paint. Mauricio made his first mosaic inside a swimming pool in 1988. Since then, Mauricio has made countless mosaics with and for countless people and organizations. Mauricio lives and works in Tacoma, and he loves to share his skills and insights with people of all ages. Please google him and visit his website www.artpeople.com

Angelina Rusconi is an intuitive artist who wields intentional creativity to weave narratives onto canvas. Using a layered approach, she paints stories that unravel the depths of human emotion and experience. Her work invites viewers into a world where imagination and intuition dance together, offering a glimpse into unseen realms of the soul. Angelina’s art speaks volumes, resonating with those who seek to connect conscious thought with subconscious thought.

Melinda Santora, a native of the Pacific Northwest, is a self-taught contemporary artist. Working primarily with acrylic her mixed media works combine vivid colors and organic textures. Drawing on the natural world, her paintings aim to establish an exchange between viewers and the larger universe around them through a pairing of found flora and whimsical moments.

Das Biest Performance Project is a dance company based in Tacoma, that focuses on providing professional opportunities for queer and disabled artists. We create live performance, classes and workshops and dance films.

Tristan Scheible’s works span a wide range of mediums. His nature-centric art explores the flora and fauna he encounters on his adventures around the PNW.

Pacific Northwest Dance Foundation is a nonprofit that is dedicated to equitable art education for all through free classes, material and performance opportunities in our community.

A life long Washingtonian growing up in Tacoma, Jana Smith-Worden learned to make pottery in middle and high school. Retiring in her mid 50’s from a career as a hospice chaplain, she rediscovered her love of creating hand-built, porcelain pottery. Inspired by bright, clear color and mid-century design, she creates platters and plates that are functional art that can be used everyday.

Explorative, Cartographic, Earth-bound: Kirsten Sparenborg’s work interprets the emotional power of Place through familiar color and evocative form, using watercolor and mixed media. Maps, Landscapes and Sketches offer a visual memory of Place at three scales: aerial, distant yet omnipresent, and intimate/inhabited. Even while representing real tangible places, the work is abstract, pushing the tactile quality of maps into territories of emotion and imagination.

Nick Stokes’ writings confront reality and the reader. His books include THE POSSIBLE: an experiment beginning; LOGOS: or Good Morning; THE END: a story of the undead; ARTIFACT COLLECTIVE: an attempt to consciousness; YOU CHOOSE: an (anti)-choose-your-own-adventure; and AFFAIR. He has also written and produced warped theater. Of his play DUELS, “an absorbing work of agricultural absurdity” (The Seattle Times), The Stranger said, “Come the f*** on with this s***.”

He’s been an artist all his life in one form or another. Through the darkest times and all the chaos his need to express himself has only grown stronger. Evolving and adapting as it was shaped by all the challenges life places before each one of us. He defiantly remains true to his dream, and works towards leaving something behind worthy of remembrance…

Rose Trent is a local queer Tacoma artist working at Illuminated Clay (Phi Pottery). Rose specializes in both hand built and wheel thrown pottery featuring colorful illustrations, including mugs, vases, cups, bowls, planters, and small critters. They especially enjoy making small cats, because it is a little piece of art you can carry in your pocket that will bring a smile to your face.

Nicole has been working with fiber for over a decade, first as a quilter and bagmaker, and then also as a weaver. The majority of her materials are scrap fabric, reclaimed and upcycled items, which are then thoughtfully remade into heirloom quilts, handbags, 2-D art pieces, and handwoven garments.

Remakery is a Tacoma creative reuse nonprofit organization. Our mission is to provide access to education, tools and resources on the making, remaking, repair and reuse of post-consumer materials and waste; in turn reducing waste while encouraging a circular economy. Primarily this is done through workshops, classes and pop-up events where the public can create with existing materials. Events have included, sewing, fiber arts, paper arts, and plastic recycling.

Collin Veenstra is a Tacoma visual artist and youth educator. With influences equal parts Dad Jokes and classic Surrealism, Collin works to make art that will make people feel seen, laugh, reflect, and sometimes cringe in its honesty.
Collin explores themes like identity, consent, relationships, mental health, and memory in their work, making poster art and decoupaged paintings with paper scraps from important moments and people in their life.

Blue Cactus Press is a grassroots publishing house crafting books move us toward liberation. We hope our books serve as community resources. We craft books by collaborators from historically marginalized groups.

Former artist for the Seattle P-I newspaper, Wendy Wahman’s illustrations have appeared in the Los Angeles Times, the NY Times, the Boston Globe, Harper’s Magazine, and more. Best known for her children’s books, ”Don’t Lick the Dog,” “A Cat Like That,” “Pony in the City,” and others, Wendy is currently doing improvisational drawings called, “Wenderings,” available as books, cards, prints, and original art.

Celebrating the big and small details of life fuels Emily’s artwork and teaching philosophy. Sitting at my torch, desingning in glass brings me balance. The art Emily designs invites you in to my world. The stories are visual and interpreted individually. All the glass created while flameworking is significant because of how the artist’s hands and mind work tirelessly in harmony to produce something from absolutely nothing.

Observing people has always been a past time of McGuire. Drawing the human figure and portrait is challenging. People come in all shapes and sizes, the possibilities to create are unlimited.

Aubree Mladenovic (she/her) is a visual artist based in Tacoma, Washington. Combining elements of collage, hand-stitching and ink on paper, Aubree’s drawings feature figures in transcendent spaces infused with patterns and dreamy landscapes. Her works represent the complexities of beauty, love, and loss that are felt in moments of reflection and introspection. Portrayed in scenes of melancholy or contemplation, the subjects express the undeniable connection between emotional and physical states.

Kcie Monk is an illustrator from Tacoma, WA. She decided to pursue art as a career in 2021. Kcie specializes in detailed fantasy illustrations drawn digitally or traditionally. She often likes to produce mixed media works that include several different layers in watercolors, colored pencils and inks.

Mark Monlux is an award-winning freelance illustrator who draws for corporations as well is individual commissions. When he is not busy as a graphic facilitator, he shares his love of cinema through his artwork and creations. He makes prints, books, games, pins, stickers, and magnets celebrating movies.

Since moving to the Northwest I’ve been inspired by its topography which serves as a daily reminder of the once pristine lands that have been stolen, scarred, and poisoned. I am endeavoring along with other cultural workers to impart a sense of hope to our communities amidst today’s ongoing tragedies and triumphs. I dedicate my work to making reparations to the land and its people, native and newcomer alike.

Liz is a multidisciplinary artist and writer whose work often focuses on the idea of belonging and home, and how place and identity intersect and interact. She works in a variety of mediums, including murals, printmaking, painting, and poetry—but she most loves printmaking and public art for how adeptly they broaden access to art for many who historically have been ostracized from the fine art world.

My work is colorful and full of movement. I say that my paintings are about intuition of matter and movement. I like to reflect colors and textures I see around me in the world in my work. As for my other practices, I love to stretch the limits of the craft and see where experimentation can get me.

Emiko Naito, a visionary artist, infuses her pottery with soul-stirring charm, transforming functional pieces into conduits of joy. Believing in art’s power to elevate the mundane, she creates handmade items that inspire mindfulness and wonder. Through Enchanted Pig Pottery, Naito combats consumerism by fostering appreciation for handcrafted goods, making each piece a cherished artifact of beauty and delight, encouraging a culture of mindfulness and intentionality.

Yoshi is a Tacoma-based visual artist. Specializing in printmaking since 1999, she pulled her first print at the University of Puget Sound, and continued her craft in Seattle and Oaxaca, Mexico. Her artwork is influenced by patterns of the natural world and Japanese textiles, along with her experiences living in Oaxaca, Japan and the PNW. She has exhibited and taught workshops regionally and internationally.

When viewing Andrea’s artwork it is apparent that she is inspired by nature. Using transparent watercolors and occasionally pen she enjoys exploring the many forms, colors, and wonders of the natural world. She likes the freedom and challenges that watercolor provides and knows there is always more to learn and delve into with this exciting artform.

Lucy’s work revolves around color and animals; yes even the most overlooked or odd animals. She strives to create handcrafted wares that help elevate or celebrate our daily routines. Who says you can’t enjoy your fish dinner on a plate with a whale painted on it. She feels honored to have her work in your home, to help bring a little beauty & delight to the rhythms of everyday life.

Gillian Nordlund is inspired by easily accessible materials. She intends to make work that is silly and sincere, with an emphasis on our shared commonalities as human beings. Her drawings, sculptures, and fiber works are joyful, but tempered with the recognition that this feeling is fleeting and can only be experienced while we are living.

Miché started making candles in 2018. With time the shop evolved into what it is today featuring a large variety of eclectic novelty candles using beeswax and clean fragrances. As an eclectic person in her daily life, Miché enjoys a multitude of different things which is a large representation of her shop. Whether you’re looking for a lucky cat or a cat skull the variety is sure to be there!

Shannon and Shane are the owners of the Gravel Pit. Shannon makes art with plants, such as terrariums and unique planters. Shane handles the music side, recording, producing, and writing music as well as screenprinting.

Mary Patton creates and sells handblown and sculpted glass out of her small garage studio. She shares this space with several artist friends. Her most popular items are her air planters and and plant decor as well as her mini sculptures. Mary likes create whimsical and bright art works to enhance your space

Kyle Peirson is a local photographer & videographer who spends his days as a Media Producer at Tacoma Community College. The evenings, weekends, and occasional lunch breaks are spent chasing photo-worthy moments across the city with a camera in hand and a drone in the sky. “Paint the Town” is Tacoma’s first comprehensive mural collection, documenting the hundreds of hand-painted, public murals throughout the city.

Paige is a mixed-race descendant of the Bitterroot Salish of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Black & White, raised in Tacoma. She draws on her lived experience to create images that highlight the complexity of Indigenous identities, and uplift shared community values. Paige works across many media, from digital design to painting, writing, handcrafted jewelry, and public art.

Yuka’s creative practice centers around books and language. Whether sculptural or 2D, she typically works with media associated with letters on a page, such as paper, graphite, or letterpress printmaking. Often exploring moments of transformation, she deconstructs the component parts of a whole, and re-engages those parts in different environments or behaviors to reflect new perspectives and understanding. Her process is tactile and physical, and rooted in curiosity and exploration.

A collection of community artist’s works will be on display as art is a journey for everyone

render is a zinester from Tacoma, WA. They use poetry and abstract, process-focused images to explore the sublime moments of the every day and to maintain their personal dignity. They appreciate the simplicity of lines which exist confidently and ask no questions, and thus spend their time drawing copious amounts of them.

Krystal Jimenez is a queer, Puerto Rican, disabled artists and mother. A student of the world, they love learning new ways to create and express themselves through art. Their skills are showcased through their stunning handmade tufted fiber art and one-of-a-kind embroidered clothing. They enjoy creating functional decorative ceramic art, as well. Beyond their art, Krystal enjoys sharing their skills by teaching fiber art and crafting workshops in Tacoma, WA.

Sabrina started dabbling in ceramics about 6 years ago and was quickly hooked. Her main focus is creating functional pieces you can use in your home including mugs, bowls, planters and vases. I love playing with glazes and seeing how the different combinations come out of the kiln.

Darcy has been creating art since she can remember. While she has played with a large number of mediums (and still does), jewelry is her passion and most days you can find her in her art room creating wearable art. While she loves to work mostly with beads and wire, you will also find clay, wood and resin in her work.

As a Seattle native, some would say that I was already born with a paintbrush in hand. From drawing to fabricating signature series, as an artist, I am always exploring my niches. in which has led me to my new inspiration of bridging both the art and Interior Design together. In creating my brand “TY DESIGN” I focus on the unique craftsmanship fabricating art and rendering them into virtual reality.

Sam Kaplan, artist at Thyme & Space Design, designs and makes linocut prints, jewelry, patches, cards, and stamps for introverts, nature lovers, and anyone still figuring it all out. They are inspired by their houseplants, offbeat silliness, and the beauty of the PNW, and they enjoy making art that doesn’t always have a deeper meaning—they create art for the fun of creation and the joy it can bring to others.

Nori Kimura is a Tacoma local artist who create arts from greeting cards to large public murals. He is active volunteer at local park as a habitat park steward, who leads the monthly work party to plants native flowers and trees, and also litter picking. He also loves to kayak all year longs to enjoy the natural beauty of Puget Sound. Those activities and people are his inspiration for arts.

Freyja Knott is a 10 year old artist. She began her artist career at a young age and has participated in the Arts at the Armory event since she was 8 years old. Lately, Freyja has begun to venture out into multiple different forms of media, getting her feet wet with drawing and digital art. Freyja is happiest when she is creating and is dedicated to being a lifelong artist.

BonesBits was created by Tacoma local, Aashiyana Koreishi (nickname Bones), as a way to showcase her love of macrame and crafting. The mission is to cultivate creativity, community, and connection through the art of macrame (and other crafts). BonesBits offers quality macrame and fabric products that are unique and handcrafted with love and passion. Bones also teaches macrame classes, as an opportunity to be creative and build community connections.

Coming from a background of painting and drawing, Cassandra’s passion lies with visual storytelling and portraiture. Recently, she has added fiber work, cardboard sculptures and mask making to expand her voice and deepen the narrative. She is happiest while creating

She works with vintage kimono and haori (short kimono jackets) because they are so beautiful, and she tries to make them even more so. She also adds milagros (Latino prayer figures) to fabric to make pictures, which can be cute or funny.

Juan La Torre is a Peruvian Fine Artist living and creating in Tacoma, WA. He is a small business owner of La Torre Art Studio and has been selling his paintings, sculptures, art prints and cards and handmade jewelry at events around town with this business. He enjoys painting portraits of people he finds fascinating, big thinkers and makers, scientists and community leaders, activists and artists, he paints them all.

Knot Things and Nothing consists of arts and crafts handmade by Tanya LaFary-Goines, a graduate from the Savannah College of Art & Design in Savannah, Georgia, USA. She likes to upcycle vintage kimono fabrics and obi belts, creating bags and jewelry that are one of a kind. Her goal is to create functional pieces that highlight these local materials as well as share her appreciation of the beauty of Japan.

Angela Larsen is an artist and arts educator living in Tacoma, WA. Her art practice uses illustration and text to process the experience of living in this time and place. Themes in her works include mental health, aging, the body, social justice and just day to day life. Her social media has a strong following and she uses it as a way to share her work and connect with others.

As a multidisciplinary artist for 10+ years, Ashley’s creative journey spans various mediums, including gouache paint, digital illustration, and mixed media. Often she draws inspiration from her extensive studies in human anatomy from college, she skillfully incorporates the human form into her artwork. Her illustrations often feature deity-like figures and eccentric color schemes, creating captivating visual experiences for viewers of her artwork. Her figures seem to stare back at you.

phi is a self taught ceramic artist who makes functional wares decorated with fantastical illustrations of mermaid bunnies, flora, and soft colors. phi also started sculpting more frequently and makes adorable animal friends.

Self taught artist Josh C. Lee brings his reality to life through art. He brings out the essence of a person, place or thing through his work. Capturing the spirit of his subjects in every created piece. Every little detail is carefully placed, so that you cannot take it all in at a single glance.

Amy Lewis’s work is the appreciation for the beauty that is all around us. Using watercolor and oil paintings she explore ways to portray ordinary life as glamorous. Her work reminds her to be grateful and to use her privileges for the good of others.

Joya’s process involves immersion in the urban landscape. She wanders through streets, capturing photographs, sketching on location, and absorbing the sights, sounds, and textures of the city. These observations serve as a foundation for her prints, as she distills the essence of these experiences into compositions that reflect the vibrant spirit and unique character of each place.

Kendyl Chasco creates fine art soda fired and wood-fired functional ceramics. Her work is inspired by the inherent beauty of the PNW landscapes in which she has lived all her life.

Run and operated by Taylor Cox, Coxswain Press is a small letterpress printing and book arts studio located in the Pacific Northwest. With a focus on limited edition art prints, greeting cards, and artist books, each item is thoughtfully crafted by hand. Taylor’s collection of limited edition block prints are inspired by the lush botanical world of the NW.

Coming from an artistic background Isabel got introduced to pottery in high school where she practice pottery for 2 years. While in high school, she learned different techniques working with clay and got inspired by her Native P’urhepecha culture to create her unique piece titled “Native Monster.” She sold her first creations to help fundraise a field trip. Currently, she is actively seeking to improve her current skills in pottery.

This daughter and dad team loves ceramic arts because clay is such a versatile, colorful medium. From hand-building techniques to carving and glazing, there’s always an element of experimentation and play. Plus, the end results are functional and pretty and can be enjoyed in everyday life.

Zach creates bright, bold, posters, paintings, and cards using hand cut stencils and spray paint. Each piece is original and 1 of a kind. He draws inspiration from DIY punk gig poster, vintage advertisements, traditional tattoo design, and Tacoma.

Laurie is a Tacoma native who lives and works in the Lincoln District. She paints in acrylic on canvas using unmixed colors; her subjects are developed from charcoal sketches of the humans she encounters in routine life which are posted on Instagram and Facebook daily. The sketches and paintings are meant to catch life as it happens, revealing the beauty, movement and gesture of ordinary people doing ordinary things.

Jenifer Davis Pottery is part of a community of artists and students working side-by-side in a friendly environment also known as the South Tacoma Clay Cooperative. We believe every artist has and artist inside them looking to express themselves and we want to help find your artistic voice. We welcome families and students of all ages.

We are a mother daughter and son trio using our Chicanx fire to make glass art

Oliver uses glass as his primary medium. It is informative, seductive, unforgiving and possesses an unparalleled archival quality. This enduring aspect gives background to his own mortality.The artists find himself in an environment that consists of artificial human construction and raw unstoppable nature. Both forces consume and alter the permanence of our world, in a way that is barely perceptible at times. He is intrigued by this juxtaposition.

Nakanée Monique is a multidisciplinary artist and activist from Tacoma, WA who takes her inspiration from all the great and terrible beauties of this world. Born from music (love) and anointed by word & color, you can find them in the forest or the water…

Hadiya is a visual artist with a preference for three dimensional work that is inspired by the human form, usually female. She likes to experiment with materials, forms and media.

Rachel Frost, a visual artist, creates vibrant collages by hand-cutting her photographs, paintings, and drawings using gouache, acrylic and vintage images. Inspired by 80s Memphis Modern, 90s zine culture, and 60s pop art, she also explores digital art with vintage and AI-generated imagery. Frost’s AI experiments yield playful, strange, and humorous results. Through ‘real’ iPhone photos and AI ‘vintage’ images, she evokes modern nostalgia, subtly distorting our perception of memory.

Hahnah Gibson is an Ink & Watercolor artist born, raised, and creating in Tacoma. Hahnah’s work has a range of themes from Tacoma, PNW, plants, fables, whimsy, fandoms and more all in a style with a connected voice. As a graduate of the inaugural class of the Tacoma School of the Arts, she loves to continue reflect and represent her city in her art and as an artist.

Carla has made Tacoma her home for last 30 years. She enjoys travel and take photos on her trips. She trys to show Tacoma from many diifferent angles.

He’s a self taught multidisciplinary artist who likes to make caricatures of his own personal experiences.

A haven of handcrafted crochet creations, where every stitch tells a story of diversity and resilience. As a proud queer and disabled-owned business, they love blending gothic flair with cottagecore comfort. Discover their array of hats, toys, and wearables that celebrate individuality. Embrace your unique style with their goth-inspired pieces or cozy up with their rustic designs. Accepting custom commissions – let’s craft something as unique as you are!

Lucia Harrison combines visual art, science, and environmental education to win hearts and minds for conservation. Her place-based artwork draws attention to the natural and human history of the South Salish Sea in Washington State. She makes paper and botanical contact prints, draws with ink and watercolor, and incorporates stitching into her projects.

Parker Hembree is a young trans artist, who does 2d and 3d art with glass and painting! He creates alien creatures and paints fem demon creatures. His paintings are acrylic based and his glass aliens are solid creatures. All his paintings are based on these themes as well.

Anna Holcomb is a Tacoma-based creative, small batch ceramic artist, and the sole proprietor of Alder & June. Her ceramic works explore the intersections of the arts in caring for one’s self, one’s body, and one’s home through functional, wearable, and artistic forms. Anna’s art has always been an outlet for self-care and expression, and she hopes that the works she creates can bring gentle moments of care to others.

As a young girl, Oksana started her artistic journey at 4 years old. Oksana went to art school in Portugal as a teenager and has perfected her craft on her own since then. Oksana has worked in many artistic meduims, but her favorite medium to use is graphite.

Cast offs and thrift shop finds are the primary materials for Deborah’s work, including handmade paper from plants and fabric. She is fascinated by how ordinary and cast-off materials transform in the process of making art. Creating unique papers from botanical contact prints is a recent addition to her practice.

Tim Kapler is an artist working with pen + ink, mixed media with found and neglected materials, as well as digital illustration, animation and photography. He has shown in both solo and group exhibitions in the Tacoma and Seattle area. Last year was his first Arts at the Armory, and hopes to add some new techniques and experiences for this year.

Kiwi is a genderfluid artist that enjoys using different art materials to explore different questions, feelings, and ways of being. They love drawing funky creatures and layering lots of colors. Aru is a Venezuelan agender and neurodivergent artist who draws much of their inspiration on their experiences as an immigrant and their connection to nature, and uses mixed media to represent the things they find beautiful.

John McCuistion creates artwork about history, myth, storytelling, religion, relationships, ceremony, civilization and humor. He is interested in the language of gesture, expression, texture, form and color. Through his work, John contributes to the long tradition of the artist as teacher, recorder and seer.

Teresa Owens, and her alter ego, Senora Sweet*, make unique works of art in Tacoma. She acquired her creativity from the talented women in her family’s prior generations who gave her the skills and the daring to make anything. She uses beads, buttons, recycled law school textbooks, and other cool stuff to create unique, fun and fancy works. *An anagram for her name.

Since 1935, the Tacoma Weavers Guild has dedicated itself to the promotion of hand weaving and related fiber arts. You’ll find them sharing their skills at demonstrations, competitions, and presentations throughout our community.

Adding interesting color to your home! Dennis works out of his garage workshop here in Tacoma. He started working in this medium in the late 70’s with a few breaks in production over the decades. He make my own designs and shapes for the lamps. I have had a few tables at booths in various street art shows in the King & Snohomish counties over the years.

Dallas is a self taught hobby artist working in any medium he can get his hands on. As a trans/queer mental health professional, Dallas enjoys depicting the stillness of nature, the dynamic joy of queer lives and bodies, and some comic relief for this thing called life. When Dallas is not making art he enjoys hiking with his dog.

Kelsey Alger is a multidisciplinary artist working primarily in painting, photography, and sculpture. Her work pulls from personal narrative, exploring the intersections of caregiving and the beautiful mundane.

Kathryn’s work focuses mainly on printmaking, specifically linocut and etching. This work is her passion. She is also drawn to other mediums that have their roots in ancient techniques such as Silverpoint drawing and working in encaustic. She is most inspired by our natural world and is captivated by the small details of the beauty she sees around her.

Curtis Ashby is a painter and graphic designer based in the Pacific Northwest. He specializes in murals, hand-drawn illustrations, and design, featuring bold and colorful imagery. His goal is to bring back elements of nature to the city through art. Curtis shares his unique Pacific Northwest perspective to advocate for art in public spaces and encourages people to get out and enjoy what these communities have to offer.

Terry Bader grew up with artist parents, Lorraine and William Arthur Phillips. She holds a masters in art education and taught art for a living. She has painted for forty years. She”s won numerous awards and participated in several open studio tours. Terry is passionate about the Northwest so her work tends to be realistic in nature featuring Northwest places and people focusing on the Golden Hour of light.

Julie Baldock is a poet, ceramicist, and general gal about town in Tacoma. Her work is inspired by the desert and organic shapes. She loves playful colors and whimsical imagery and makes work for her and your inner child. She is currently completing her third book of poetry and prose.

The Collective is a collective of PLU students, staff, and faculty who have an avid interest in expanding the field of creative arts and an appreciation of print and digital media. We facilitate and participate in regional and national art exchanges, are active in our local communities, as well as host several art events at the Pacific Lutheran University.

Voices of Tacoma: A Gathering of Poets creates public programming to help strengthen and build the literary arts within our community and will culminate in the publication of an anthology of poetry of, about, or inspired by Tacoma.

Animals are the primary focus in Nicole’s work, and even when they’re not, she often still sneaks one into the piece anyway. Nicole strives to create art that promotes an appreciation of our natural world and the species that inhabit it, especially our local, wild neighbors of the Pacific Northwest. Her ultimate goal is to foster empathy and inspire people to care about wildlife and the environment through my art.

Joseph Brooks is a PNW Artist residing in Tacoma, WA. He works in many mediums with focus in Painting and Ceramics. Joseph’s work is on permanent display with Washington State Art Collection managed by ArtsWa, Hyatt Regency Seattle Art Collection, commercial businesses like Visual Options, and in many private art collections around the world. Please visit Joseph on his website at JosephBrooksArt.com to stay up to date on his work.

Swan Creek Art Academy empowers underserved youth through innovative digital art and electronic music programs. By providing access to iPads, MIDI controllers, guitars, synthesizers, and drum machines we inspire creativity, cultivate talent, enabling our students to thrive as artists and individuals. We envision a future where all young minds have the opportunity to explore their artistic passions, regardless of their background, while enriching communities with new art and music.