FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 24, 2019
MEDIA CONTACTS
Tanisha Jumper, Media and Communications,
tjumper@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5152
Maria Lee, Media and Communications,
maria.lee@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-2054
Celebrate Tacoma Arts and Culture in October
October 2019 marks the 18th anniversary of Tacoma Arts Month – a community celebration of the arts that includes hundreds of community-hosted arts and culture events, exhibits and workshops for all ages taking place throughout the month. Programming includes music, theater and dance performances, hands-on experiences, visual art exhibits, film screenings, literary readings, lectures, cultural events, and workshops. All events are open to the public and many activities are free.
“Tacoma Arts Month is a wonderful way to celebrate the rich and varied arts programming throughout our city,” said Tacoma Arts Commission Chair Heather Conklin. “The arts are fundamental to Tacoma’s identity, energizing our diverse communities, beautifying our city, enriching our lives, and supporting a creative economy. We are excited to highlight Tacoma's artists, programs and organizations this October.”
Tacoma Arts Month Signature Events
- Kaleidoscope Opening Party
The community is invited to attend a free, family-friendly celebration on Oct. 2 from 6:30 - 9 p.m. at Eastside Community Center (1721 E. 56th St). Start Tacoma Arts Month off with a kaleidoscope of live arts and cultural performances including a blessing, singing and dancing by Connie McCloud and the Puyallup Tribe Canoe Family; music by the Lincoln High School Drumline, Stephanie Anne Johnson and The Kareem Kandi World Orchestra; performances by Tacoma Urban Performing Arts Center, Asia Pacific Cultural Center’s Lanuola Samoan Performing Arts, Ballet Folklórico de Tacoma, BareFoot Collective, Metro Arts Tacoma’s En Dehors Dance Company, and Screaming Butterflies Productions; and poetry by Tacoma Poet Laureate Abby E. Murray. Attendees can also experience film screenings by The Grand Cinema; interactive projects with Tacoma Creates and Spaceworks Tacoma; and view visual art on permanent display.
The event will include recognition of the Tacoma Arts Commission’s 2019 funding recipients and the AMOCAT Arts Award winners: Tacoma Creates Campaign, Tacoma Urban Performing Arts Center, and Aya Hashiguchi Clark and Randy Clark.
The event is presented by the Tacoma Arts Commission and Spaceworks Tacoma, hosted by Metro Parks Tacoma and Eastside Community Center, and sponsored by The Grand Cinema and Metronome Coffee.
- Tacoma Studio Tour
The community is also invited inside the working studios of 96 local artists to learn about the artistic process, ask questions and purchase one-of-a-kind creations. All studios will feature demonstrations or will have hands-on activities for visitors. This free, family-friendly, self-guided tour will run Oct. 12 and Oct. 13, from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., and covers 56 locations around Tacoma.
Studio Tour attendees are encouraged to pick up a Tacoma Studio Tour Passport and have it stamped at each studio location visited. Once at least seven stamps have been collected, the passport can be submitted for a chance to win one of several prize packages containing artwork handcrafted by a selection of artists on the tour.
A complete list of studio locations, an interactive map, and information about the Tacoma Studio Tour Passport is available at TacomaArtsMonth.com.
Information about Tacoma Arts Month events and programming is at TacomaArtsMonth.com. Tacoma Arts Month’s media sponsors are Northwest Public Broadcasting, ParentMap, Preview, Sounds Fun Mom, South Sound magazine, Tacoma Weekly and Showcase.
###