FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 7, 2013

MEDIA CONTACTS
Gwen Schuler, Media and Communications, gschuler@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5160
Maria Lee, Media and Communications, maria.lee@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-2054

City of Tacoma Launches 'artTown,' a New TV Series Showcasing Tacoma's Creative Community 

Tacoma, Wash. -- The City of Tacoma's Media and Communications Office – in partnership with its Community and Economic Development Department's Arts Program – announces the launch of “artTown,” a cultural documentary-style TV initiative exploring Tacoma's emergence as a major creative hub in the Pacific Northwest. Launching on Oct. 11 at 8 p.m., the quarterly series offers segments featuring diverse perspectives on a variety of creative disciplines. 

"In developing the concept for ‘artTown,’ we wanted to offer a more holistic look at creativity in Tacoma," said Tacoma Arts Administrator Amy McBride. "In addition to what people traditionally think of as 'creative,' such as fine art, music or dance, we also plan to spotlight other creative areas of interest that have really flourished in our city like food, fashion, innovative education practices, architecture and more. You'll see some of that in this first episode." 

The inaugural episode features music composed by local artist Isaac Solverson. It also includes viewpoints from J.D. Elquist and Travis Pranger at vintage menswear boutique Feather and Oar; Pacific Avenue Streetscape artists Elizabeth Conner and Daniel Martin; graphic designer Art Chantry whose work has been exhibited in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Museum of Modern Art, the Smithsonian and the Louvre; letterpress artist Lance Kagey of Beautiful Angle; Metro Parks historian Melissa McGinnis; Tacoma School of the Arts instructors Robin Jaecklein and Kareem Kandi; Arts EnviroChallenger teaching artist Meredith Essex; and many others.

The short and long-form segments in “artTown” will air on TV Tacoma Mondays at noon, Tuesdays at 1 a.m., Wednesdays at 8 a.m., Thursdays at 6 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 6 p.m. and Sundays at 5 a.m. It will also be available through Click! ON Demand’s TV Tacoma and TacomaArt & Culture menu listings, and on the City of Tacoma's website and social media channels. The show’s audiences will have the opportunity to share, discuss and comment on these segments. And, shortly thereafter, future episodes will be produced in part based on some of the audience feedback culled via social media, email at mco@cityoftacoma.org or phone at (253) 591-5152.

Preview "artTown" here. 

ABOUT TV TACOMA

TV Tacoma is the City of Tacoma's award-winning municipal government TV channel. TV Tacoma is aired on both the Click! and Comcast Cable systems. On Click!, TV Tacoma can be seen on Channel 12 within Tacoma City limits and in Pierce County, with the exception of University Place, where TV Tacoma can be found on Channel 21. On Comcast, TV Tacoma can be seen on Channel 12 within Tacoma city limits and on Channel 21 in Pierce County. TV Tacoma is not on the Comcast system in University Place, but is accessible anywhere on the Internet at tvtacoma.com.