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Welcome to Tacoma Arts Month

Celebrating 22 years!

Arts Events

Arts and culture programming to fill October

Opening Party

Launch Arts Month at STAR Center on Oct. 5!

Studio Tour

Meet Tacoma artists in their studios Oct. 14 & 15!

AMOCAT Arts Awards

Honoring vision, dedication, and action in our community

Arts at the Armory

Tacoma’s interactive arts market Nov 11 & 12!

Arts Events image: Snippet of 2022 Tacoma Arts Month Events calendar, learn more here: tacomaartsmonth.org/events.
Opening Party image: The Playground Kiki ballroom performance at Kaleidoscope, the Tacoma Arts Month opening party in 2022. Photo by Jamika Scott.
Studio Tour image: 2022 Tacoma Studio Tour attendees participate in a group painting at the studio of Mary Mann.
AMOCAT Arts Awards image: AMOCAT Arts Award design by Chandler O’Leary
Arts at the Armory image: Panoramic view of Arts at the Armory event in 2022.

Sponsors

Thank you to all our sponsors for their support!

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17 hours ago

CALLING ALL COMMUNITY!

On behalf of the Black Historic Sites Washington @blackhistoricsiteswa, we would like to extend this invitation on behalf of the Black Historic Sites WA

The Black History Preservation Call & Response
Saturday, April 13th, 2024, 11 am- 1 pm
Tacoma Campus of Evergreen State College

Dr. Allyson Brooks, Washington State's Historic Preservation Officer, will discuss "Why Preservation?". Roger Evans of the Seattle Griot Project will be available to discuss how and what to consider when saving and digitizing documents.

The Black Historic Sites WA statewide project began in 2021 and is continuing in 2023 with a special focus on Black Historic Sites in Tacoma, Washington. Their statewide project began in 2021 and is continuing with a special focus on Black Historic Sites in Tacoma, Washington.

Black Historic Sites WA's goal in Tacoma is to conduct research and public outreach to achieve the following:

1. Write a context statement on the African American History of Tacoma

2. Identify sites related to Black History in the City of Tacoma

3. Add Tacoma sites to the National Register of Historic Places

More information about the Black Historic Sites WA project can be found on their website www.blackhistoricsiteswa.com/tacoma or by clicking the link in our bio.

They will also be holding the Summit for Historic Preservation with a focus on Black History in Washington State on Saturday, May 11th, 2024, at the Tacoma Campus of Evergreen State College @evergreen_tacoma_sankofa

Thanks to: Dean Marcia and Tate Arunga of Evergreen State College Tacoma Campus, the African American Historical Preservation in Washington Coalition @blackheritagesocietywa, Roger Evans of the Seattle Griot Project, LACH The Remnant Project, and the City of Tacoma Historic Preservation @tacoma_culture.
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CALLING ALL COMMUNITY! 

On behalf of the Black Historic Sites Washington @blackhistoricsiteswa, we would like to extend this invitation on behalf of the Black Historic Sites WA

The Black History Preservation Call & Response
Saturday, April 13th, 2024, 11 am- 1 pm
Tacoma Campus of Evergreen State College 

Dr. Allyson Brooks, Washington States Historic Preservation Officer, will discuss Why Preservation?. Roger Evans of the Seattle Griot Project will be available to discuss how and what to consider when saving and digitizing documents.

The Black Historic Sites WA statewide project began in 2021 and is continuing in 2023 with a special focus on Black Historic Sites in Tacoma, Washington. Their statewide project began in 2021 and is continuing with a special focus on Black Historic Sites in Tacoma, Washington.

Black Historic Sites WAs goal in Tacoma is to conduct research and public outreach to achieve the following:

1. Write a context statement on the African American History of Tacoma

2. Identify sites related to Black History in the City of Tacoma

3. Add Tacoma sites to the National Register of Historic Places

More information about the Black Historic Sites WA project can be found on their website https://www.blackhistoricsiteswa.com/tacoma or by clicking the link in our bio.

They will also be holding the Summit for Historic Preservation with a focus on Black History in Washington State on Saturday, May 11th, 2024, at the Tacoma Campus of Evergreen State College @evergreen_tacoma_sankofa

Thanks to: Dean Marcia and Tate Arunga of Evergreen State College Tacoma Campus, the African American Historical Preservation in Washington Coalition @blackheritagesocietywa, Roger Evans of the Seattle Griot Project, LACH The Remnant Project, and the City of Tacoma Historic Preservation @tacoma_culture.Image attachmentImage attachment
2 days ago

Meet and hear from local filmmaker, Donovan Wilson, as he screens his new, short film, "I Dreamed I was Naked and the World Turned Upside Down", which was filmed in Tacoma. Donovan will be submitting this film to Tribeca, Cannes, and the Tacoma Film Festival, among others, and this is a great chance to see it early!

The filmmakers and actors will be in attendance for 3 FREE screenings. Join them at the Grand Cinema in Tacoma on April 11th, from 7-10 pm.

7 pm - 7:30 pm: Tre James Photography Presentation
7:30 pm - 8 pm: Screening 1
8 pm - 8:30 pm: Screening 2
8:30 pm - 9:00 pm: Final Screening

Please register to attend the film through the Eventbrite link in our bio, or clicking here: bit.ly/I-dreamed

Donovan Wilson @beepresolve who wrote and directed the film, will be introducing the film and Q&A sessions after each screening. Local photographer Tre James will also be sharing his recent body of work focused on images of Tacoma which invites viewers “to re-imagine often overlooked parts of the city.”

The Arts and Cultural Vitality Division is happy to support Donovan’s work through our Tacoma Artist Initiative Program (TAIP).
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Meet and hear from local filmmaker, Donovan Wilson, as he screens his new, short film, I Dreamed I was Naked and the World Turned Upside Down,  which was filmed in Tacoma. Donovan will be submitting this film to Tribeca, Cannes, and the Tacoma Film Festival, among others, and this is a great chance to see it early!
 
The filmmakers and actors will be in attendance for 3 FREE screenings. Join them at the Grand Cinema in Tacoma on April 11th, from 7-10 pm. 

7 pm - 7:30 pm: Tre James Photography Presentation
7:30 pm - 8 pm: Screening 1
8 pm - 8:30 pm: Screening 2
8:30 pm - 9:00 pm: Final Screening
 
Please register to attend the film through the Eventbrite link in our bio, or clicking here: https://bit.ly/I-dreamed
 
Donovan Wilson @beepresolve who wrote and directed the film, will be introducing the film and Q&A sessions after each screening. Local photographer Tre James will also be sharing his recent body of work focused on images of Tacoma which invites viewers “to re-imagine often overlooked parts of the city.” 
 
The Arts and Cultural Vitality Division is happy to support Donovan’s work through our Tacoma Artist Initiative Program (TAIP).
1 week ago

See the new mural by artist Dionne Bonner, @dionnebonner at the South Tacoma Branch of @tacomalibrary!

South Tacoma Mural Celebration
Saturday, March 30, 2024
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
South Tacoma Branch Library

“The mural is grounded in the library's vision to be radically welcoming, and a trusted community hub where all people can find joy, compassion, and inspiration. In addition, the mural serves as a directional sign to help visitors find the library with a directional arrow as a marker. Exciting the senses with vibrant color and movement, characters and elements within the design are inspired by the colors that you see in the foliage, and architecture of the native lands of the Asian and Pacific Islander people. Colors that represent vitality, strength, and spirituality, themes that are shared and treasured in all cultures. The butterfly elements in the design represent our imagination and the transcendent power of the mind to take us to wonderful places, learn, grow and transform. The library has always been an important place in my life, and I believe it continues to be a gateway to different ways of learning and exploring the world. Reading and making connections through exploration and one-on-one engagement is an important socialization aspect of life. People are naturally drawn to explore in many different ways like doing research, and through analog and digital methods. And it's obvious our present and future world is open to access information in different ways. This eclectic way of learning intrigues us, we are dependent on it, and it empowers individuals, communities, businesses, and organizations to stay relevant in a fast-paced progressive world.” - Dionne Bonner

The @tacomatreefoundation will be onsite to give away free trees to attendees!

Learn more about the event here or click the link in our bio.
tacoma.bibliocommons.com/events/65bae836f797a6fee57365f1
www.facebook.com/events/1102886977557035/
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See the new mural by artist Dionne Bonner, @dionnebonner at the South Tacoma Branch of @tacomalibrary!

South Tacoma Mural Celebration
Saturday, March 30, 2024
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
South Tacoma Branch Library
 
“The mural is grounded in the librarys vision to be radically welcoming, and a trusted community hub where all people can find joy, compassion, and inspiration. In addition, the mural serves as a directional sign to help visitors find the library with a directional arrow as a marker. Exciting the senses with vibrant color and movement, characters and elements within the design are inspired by the colors that you see in the foliage, and architecture of the native lands of the Asian and Pacific Islander people. Colors that represent vitality, strength, and spirituality, themes that are shared and treasured in all cultures. The butterfly elements in the design represent our imagination and the transcendent power of the mind to take us to wonderful places, learn, grow and transform. The library has always been an important place in my life, and I believe it continues to be a gateway to different ways of learning and exploring the world. Reading and making connections through exploration and one-on-one engagement is an important socialization aspect of life. People are naturally drawn to explore in many different ways like doing research, and through analog and digital methods. And its obvious our present and future world is open to access information in different ways. This eclectic way of learning intrigues us, we are dependent on it, and it empowers individuals, communities, businesses, and organizations to stay relevant in a fast-paced progressive world.” - Dionne Bonner

The @tacomatreefoundation will be onsite to give away free trees to attendees! 
 
Learn more about the event here or click the link in our bio.
https://tacoma.bibliocommons.com/events/65bae836f797a6fee57365f1
https://www.facebook.com/events/1102886977557035/Image attachmentImage attachment+7Image attachment
3 weeks ago

Explore Tacoma's rich and people centered history with TRIPOD, featuring three presenters - TAIP artist Merilee Tanbara, Philip Red Eagle, and Faaluaina Pritchard - on Thursday, March 15th from 7 – 8:30 pm at 206 N. J Street.

The Tacoma Arts Commission is proud to support Merilee Tanbara, @mtanbara as part of the Tacoma Artists Initiative Program.

Journey with writer Merilee as she paints a vivid picture of life in Tacoma's Japanese community in the 1920s, navigating the challenges of wartime hysteria, internment, and the struggle for belonging. Through her characters' eyes, Merilee poses profound questions about identity, resilience, and the enduring spirit of community.

Merilee will be presenting alongside Philip Red Eagle and Faaluaina Pritchard as part of the TRIPOD series. Please see more information in the link in our bio or if on Facebook see here: www.facebook.com/events/1541943883330039?

#TacomaArts #HistoricalFiction #CommunityVoices
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Explore Tacomas rich and people centered history with TRIPOD, featuring three presenters - TAIP artist Merilee Tanbara, Philip Red Eagle, and Faaluaina Pritchard - on Thursday, March 15th from 7 – 8:30 pm at 206 N. J Street.

The Tacoma Arts Commission is proud to support Merilee Tanbara, @mtanbara as part of the Tacoma Artists Initiative Program.

Journey with writer Merilee as she paints a vivid picture of life in Tacomas Japanese community in the 1920s, navigating the challenges of wartime hysteria, internment, and the struggle for belonging. Through her characters eyes, Merilee poses profound questions about identity, resilience, and the enduring spirit of community.

Merilee will be presenting alongside Philip Red Eagle and Faaluaina Pritchard as part of the TRIPOD series. Please see more information in the link in our bio or if on Facebook see here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1541943883330039?

#TacomaArts #HistoricalFiction #CommunityVoicesImage attachmentImage attachment+3Image attachment
3 weeks ago

Shout out to The News Tribune for their wonderful piece on Fused Together. Check out the full article here:
www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article286243530.html

Fused Together is a series of free community art workshops run by Hilltop Artists, Communities for a Healthy Bay, and artist Kait Rhoads. These workshops are supported by the partnership between Tacoma Public Library and Tacoma Creates. Come create stunning mosaic tiles and contribute to public installations around the city.

Learn more about the next event at Fern Hill Library on March 19th or visit Hilltop Artists page at hilltopartists.org/fusedtogether/

Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity to make art, connect with your community, and learn the importance of caring for our marine environments!

For more events and workshops like this, give the Tacoma Creates events calendar a visit: www.tacomacreates.org/events.

City of Tacoma Government

#FusedTogether #TacomaCreates #CommunityArt
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Shout out to The News Tribune for their wonderful piece on Fused Together. Check out the full article here: 
https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article286243530.html

Fused Together is a series of free community art workshops run by Hilltop Artists, Communities for a Healthy Bay, and artist Kait Rhoads. These workshops are supported by the partnership between Tacoma Public Library and Tacoma Creates. Come create stunning mosaic tiles and contribute to public installations around the city. 

Learn more about the next event at Fern Hill Library on March 19th or visit Hilltop Artists page at https://hilltopartists.org/fusedtogether/

Dont miss out on this amazing opportunity to make art, connect with your community, and learn the importance of caring for our marine environments!

For more events and workshops like this, give the Tacoma Creates events calendar a visit: www.tacomacreates.org/events. 

City of Tacoma Government 

#FusedTogether #TacomaCreates #CommunityArt
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